Help Protect Ohio’s Great Fishing Resources
OutdoorHub 06.25.12
Anglers throughout the state can do their part to protect Ohio’s high quality fishing by reporting fishing violations they observe to the Turn In a Poacher (TIP) hotline at 800-POACHER or online at ohiotip.com, according to the Ohio Department of Natural Resources’ (ODNR) Division of Wildlife.
Each year, the TIP hotline receives approximately 4,800 calls from concerned citizens reporting violations involving the poaching, or illegal taking, of fish and game, trespassing, commercialization of wildlife and the over-harvesting of fish and game. Since its inception in 1982, more than 3,000 convictions have been made using information from the hotline. While the majority of TIP reports are received during the hunting seasons, anglers should remember that the TIP hotline is available year-round.
“Double-tripping, keeping fish over the daily bag limit and snagging walleye and other species of game fish are serious violations of the law,” said Ron Ollis, law enforcement program administrator for the Division of Wildlife. “Ohio’s state wildlife officers rely on law-abiding anglers to be our eyes on the water, and we request that people report any suspicious activity that they observe.”
Anglers are reminded not to approach anyone committing a wildlife violation. Instead, take note of the violation, date, time, location and the license plates of any vehicles in the vicinity. Call 800-POACHER or go online to www.ohiotip.com to report the information. All reports are confidential and can remain anonymous. Callers may be eligible for a cash reward.
The TIP hotline is staffed 24 hours a day, seven days a week, including holidays.
Ohio’s fishing regulations are available at all hunting and fishing license agents by calling 800-WILDLIFE or online at www.wildohio.com.
