Let's split some hairs...

[killa k]

Remember when they used to have the "You make the call." things during NFL games? Ok, what would you do?

Per the LA Wildlife and Fisheries website:



"Within the area described here, of the daily take and possession limit of 15 spotted seatrout, no person shall possess, regardless of where taken, more than two spotted seatrout exceeding 25 inches total length, which are considered part of the daily bag and possession limit. These regulations apply to the area of the state, including coastal territorial waters, south of Interstate 10 from its junction at the Texas-Louisiana boundary eastward to its junction with Louisiana Highway 171, south to Highway 14, and then south to Holmwood, and then south on Highway 27 through Gibbstown south to Louisiana Highway 82 at Creole and south on Highway 82 to Oak Grove and then due south to the western shore of the MermentauRiver, following this shoreline south to the junction with the Gulf of Mexico, and then due south to the limit of the state territorial sea."

Now, if I launch north of I-10 but fish both North and South of the interstate how many fish can I keep? OR, say I launch North of I-10 and fish North of I-10 but i have to travel South of the interstate to go North? This only applies to a very small part of the upper Calcasieu estuary but is a very real scenario.

I know what I would do but wanted to get your opinions.

If there are any LDWF guys on the site, what would be the ruling?

[yak'em-n-stack'em]

im pretty sure its the waters your in when they stop you,

if you are fishing offshore past 3 miles which is federal waters, and you get stopped in state waters with more than the state limit, then i think you are in violation

[eman]

If you get caught inside the area that has a 15 fish limit w/ more than 15 fish you are in violation of the reg. now if you can convince the warden not to write you a ticket cause of your circumstances ?
Good luck w/ that one.

[Gerald]

This is the same situation for a Texan coming to LA to catch trout.

If stopped with a LA limit of trout, you would have to convince the Texas law that they were caught in LA.

["W"]

This is easy!! Where ever your truck is parked is your limit.....you can't buck the system.....if you fish in a 25 limit zone but parked in a 15 limit zone 15 is your limit!!! If you fish in a 25 limitations zone but travel though a 15 limit zone your limit is 15....you can't buck the system!!!

[mikedatiger]

"W" is right - you have to abide by the rules at the area from which you launch from. Asked LA/TX wardens about this issue fishing Sabine bc I mainly fish the LA side.

[killa k]

Here is my situation...I park in a 25 have to travel 500 yds through the 15 to get back to the 25, fish only in the 25...am I breaking the rules during the 500 yds that i cross back into the 15 to get back to the launch?

BTW I would only keep 15, just in case, and I don't like to clean fish that much!

[cmdrost]

If you get pulled over in that 500 yd section....you will be given a ticket.

[Chris Havoc]

Well this is how it works for us launching out of Mississippi waters and fishing the Louisiana marsh. We can keep louisiana limits while fishing in louisiana waters. BUT if you do, you CANNOT stop in Mississippi waters for any reason. You can bring the louisiana limits back to mississippi waters ONLY if you go straight from La waters to the dock. Not sure if this same concept applies for the area you are talking about.....but we have been checked several times by dmr in both la and ms waters this year, and have not had any problems having la limits in ms waters(we were underway when stopped). I would think as long as your not caught stopped or physically fishing in that area, you should be ok, but I have realized that it all depends on the officer and his interpetation(mood) of the law.

[huntin fool]

Originally Posted by killa k

Here is my situation...I park in a 25 have to travel 500 yds through the 15 to get back to the 25, fish only in the 25...am I breaking the rules during the 500 yds that i cross back into the 15 to get back to the launch?

BTW I would only keep 15, just in case, and I don't like to clean fish that much!

So wait...I'm running from my house (north of I-10) and fishing South of I-10...My limit should be 15 right????? Please help

["W"]

Originally Posted by Chris Havoc

Well this is how it works for us launching out of Mississippi waters and fishing the Louisiana marsh. We can keep louisiana limits while fishing in louisiana waters. BUT if you do, you CANNOT stop in Mississippi waters for any reason. You can bring the louisiana limits back to mississippi waters ONLY if you go straight from La waters to the dock. Not sure if this same concept applies for the area you are talking about.....but we have been checked several times by dmr in both la and ms waters this year, and have not had any problems having la limits in ms waters(we were underway when stopped). I would think as long as your not caught stopped or physically fishing in that area, you should be ok, but I have realized that it all depends on the officer and his interpetation(mood) of the law.

Try that in LA and they will laugh at you all the way home!!!! You know how many Texans would be pulling that stunt!!!

[mikedatiger]

Here's how it works on Sabine. Launch out of Texas - fish by Texas rules. Launch out of LA, fish by LA rules. Obviously you have to have valid licenses, but that's the way it works. I have confirmed this with wardens on both sides of the border and received the same answer.

If you're really that concerned pick up the phone and call a game warden - they're more than happy to help.