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I could sware that there is or was an rcw in washington that talks about a home owner harassing you say while you are fishing their dock. I had an incident on Chelan with a guy and was just trying to get myself prepared in case this happens again.

Thanks

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The Angler Harassment Law


This law is set forth in Section 48702a of Part 487 (Sport Fishing) of the Natural Resources and Environmental Protection Act (MSA 324.48702a). Under this law: "A person shall not obstruct or interfere in the lawful taking of aquatic species by another person." The law goes on to state that a person violates this section when the person intentionally or knowingly does any of the following 11 things:
(a) Operates a vessel or a device designed to be used on the water which does not meet the definition of a vessel in a manner likely to significantly alter the behavior of aquatic species in order to hinder or prevent the lawful taking of an aquatic species.
(b) Wades or swims in a manner or at a location likely to cause a significant alteration in the behavior of aquatic species in order to hinder or prevent the lawful taking of an aquatic species.
(c) Tosses, drops, or throws any stone, rock, or other inert material in order to hinder or prevent the lawful taking of an aquatic species.
(d) Drives, herds, or disturbs any aquatic species in order to hinder or prevent the lawful taking of an aquatic species.
(e) Blocks, impedes, or harasses another person who is engaged in the process of lawfully taking an aquatic species.
(f) Uses a natural or artificial visual, aural, olfactory, gustatory, or physical stimulus to affect aquatic species behavior in order to hinder or prevent the lawful taking of an aquatic species.
(g) Erects barriers to deny ingress or egress to areas where the lawful taking of aquatic species may occur. This subdivision does not apply to a person who erects barriers to prevent trespassing on his or her property.
(h) Interjects himself or herself into the area where nets, fishing lines, or traps may be placed by a person lawfully taking aquatic species.
(i) Affects the condition or placement of personal or public property intended for use in the lawful taking of an aquatic species in order to impair the usefulness of the property or prevent the use of the property.
(j) Enters or remains upon private lands without the permission of the owner or the owner's agent, for the purpose of violating this section.
(k) Engages in any other act or behavior for the purpose of violating this section.
Section 48702b provides teeth for this law. It states that a person who is aggrieved by a violation of this law, or who reasonably may be aggrieved by a violation, has the right to petition a court for relief. The court has the power to issue a cease and desist order against a person "who was engaged in and threatens to continue to engage in" conduct violating this law. In addition, a person who violates Section 48702a is guilty of a misdemeanor, punishable by imprisonment for up to 93 days, or a fine of not less than $500 or more than $1,000, or both. A person who violates the law a second or subsequent times may be sentenced to imprisonment for up to 1 year, and fined not less than $1,000 and up to $2,500.
Another related state law is Section 324.43555 of NREPA, which provides that 35 cents from each license and stamp fee shall be transmitted to the MDNR for deposit in the Wildlife Resource Protection Fund. The Fund "shall" be expended by the MDNR for, among other things:
• rewards for information leading to the arrest and prosecution of persons who obstruct or interfere in the lawful taking of aquatic species in violation of section 48702a; and • a promotional and educational campaign to inform the general public on (i) the reward for information that leads to the arrest and prosecution of persons who obstruct or interfere in the lawful taking of aquatic species, and (ii) how to identify and report persons who obstruct or interfere in the lawful taking of aquatic species.
Finally, there are two additional general provisions in NREPA for fisherman: Section 324.45301 states as follows: In any of the navigable or meandered waters of this state where fish have been or are propagated, planted, or spread at the expense of the people of this state or the United States, the people have the right to catch fish with hook and line during the seasons and in the waters that are not otherwise prohibited by the laws of this state.
Section 324.45302 states: An action shall not be maintained against a person entering upon the waters for the purpose of fishing, by the owner, lessee, or other person having the right of possession of adjoining lands, except for actual damage done. In such an action, the defendant under a proper notice may dispute at trial the plaintiff's right to either title or possession of the land claimed to have been trespassed upon

This was a problem during the chelan open this year, a guy was actually arrested because he was falsely stating he owned the dock the guy was fishing and didnt, started throwing rocks at the fellow angler and the real owner came out, long story short, the guy who was pretending to own the dock had the cops called on him and was arrested, and other incidents of dock owners harassing anglers up there has happened numerous times. All the waters in this state are navigatable waters, and are fair game to fish, but the first comment is what I would use and will if I ever encounter that. It's a shame that these people think that they own the water surrounding their dock

This as a problem on almost any lake in western wa. I always carry a copy of the law on my boat, And I always politely inform home owners of my rights, If they have an issue with my presence. With that being said if a homeowner is actively using their dock, I will pass it by. What bothers me is when homeowner's are inside and make a point to walk outside just to yell and scream. I have had this problem with a particular homeowner on lake Goodwin for the past 3 years after watching me jack a 6lb largie of her dock. The most common practice of harassment I get is letting out the barking dog.

I agree with passing by a dock if people are actively using it. People who let dogs out isn't a big deal to me either. It's the guys like Cody talked about that really get me. Even if it is actually their dock, am I really hurting anything by being there? I will gladly discuss with them that I can be there. It's their response that determines how things escalate from there.

The cited statute won't do you much good in Washington because it is a Michigan law.

RCW 77.15.210:

Obstructing the taking of fish, shellfish, or wildlife—Penalty.

(1) A person is guilty of obstructing the taking of fish[, shellfish,] or wildlife if the person:
(a) Harasses, drives, or disturbs fish, shellfish, or wildlife with the intent of disrupting lawful pursuit or taking thereof; or
(b) Harasses, intimidates, or interferes with an individual engaged in the lawful taking of fish, shellfish, or wildlife or lawful predator control with the intent of disrupting lawful pursuit or taking thereof.
(2) Obstructing the taking of fish, shellfish, or wildlife is a gross misdemeanor.
(3) It is an affirmative defense to a prosecution for obstructing the taking of fish, shellfish, or wildlife that the person charged was:
(a) Interfering with a person engaged in hunting outside the legally established hunting season; or
(b) Preventing or attempting to prevent unauthorized trespass on private property.
(4) The person raising a defense under subsection (3) of this section has the burden of proof by a preponderance of the evidence.

98% of homeowners don't know that I assure you, And Washington's statue is way to vague.

David Williams said:

The cited statute won't do you much good in Washington because it is a Michigan law.



Dave Massey said:


Chad Simon said:

RCW 77.15.210:

Obstructing the taking of fish, shellfish, or wildlife—Penalty.

(1) A person is guilty of obstructing the taking of fish[, shellfish,] or wildlife if the person:
(a) Harasses, drives, or disturbs fish, shellfish, or wildlife with the intent of disrupting lawful pursuit or taking thereof; or
(b) Harasses, intimidates, or interferes with an individual engaged in the lawful taking of fish, shellfish, or wildlife or lawful predator control with the intent of disrupting lawful pursuit or taking thereof.
(2) Obstructing the taking of fish, shellfish, or wildlife is a gross misdemeanor.
(3) It is an affirmative defense to a prosecution for obstructing the taking of fish, shellfish, or wildlife that the person charged was:
(a) Interfering with a person engaged in hunting outside the legally established hunting season; or
(b) Preventing or attempting to prevent unauthorized trespass on private property.
(4) The person raising a defense under subsection (3) of this section has the burden of proof by a preponderance of the evidence.

I think this is the one I was remembering. Thanks!

I have had issues on countless lakes, we all have.  I was throwing a Hudd once minding my own business and this guy mowing his lawn says, would you like it if I tossed my salmon gear towards you ?  He was 50 feet away from my cast at the time.  In the nicest way possible I told him I bet you can't even hit me.  He was full of it, and I haven't seen him since.  On another lake this guy said I was fishing too close to his dock, and I said I didn't hit your dock, etc, fishing is legal, etc.  He threatened to call the police, so I told him go right ahead.  Surprisingly 10-15 min later the cops showed up and I trolled back over there.  They talked to me about the issue, I told them I'm fishing legally like any other person, and I said the reason why I was fishing close to his dock is cause I caught a 6+ bass from right under the dock you're standing on and the cop looks around and he's like Really??  They said I was in the right and they had a talk with the home owner before they left and I haven't seen that dummy outside since.  I tried to stay a little farther away from his dock since but never a problem.  His response before the cops came was, " all the other fisherman don't fish like you, they all fish out in the middle away from our property".  No sh*t jerkoff, that's why it's a good lake, not many bass it :) 

Keep on fishing Dave !  Tight lines.

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