Rainbow Trout and "Vigilantes"

Type: Nontidal
Region: Western
Location: Beaver Creek

I recently returned from a trip to Beaver Creek, catching my limit of rainbow trout. Unfortunately, I had a bad experience with two self appointed vigilantes enforcing a fish and game law that does not exist. I started my day at upper Beaver Creek fishing the hole near the fly shop and caught two rainbow trout. Beforehand these two guys started to hassle a man who just finished fishing the hole catching his limit, and then fishing for fun releasing his fish. The two guys told him there could be a $250 fine for each fish he released. I checked DNR regulations and the regulations state that culling of trout is illegal not catch and release. Culling is the practice of releasing a fish in possession on your stringer or cooler and exchanging it for the bigger fish. I went down to lower Beaver Creek and caught a golden trout then went over to the Meadow section. I filled my limit over there and caught a trout which I intended to release after a photo. At any rate one of the two guys I encountered in the morning was there with a Go Pro camea. He gave me a rude gesture, along with with cuss words, threatening to put me on Facebook. I decided to leave and went over to Roxbury Road. I fished for fun releasing two nice trout. I have talked to several anglers there and they say they have talked to game wardens and all say that only culling of trout is illegal not catch and release. I took a photo of a pretty trout which I released. I hope not to run into these self appointed game wardens again.

DNR Response: You are correct, culling trout is illegal but an angler may certainly catch and release trout. The "Vigilante" may have seen other fishermen with a limit of trout continuing to fish and assumed they were exceeding the creel limit. That's no excuse for their conduct and NRP should be notified. Also, for your information, there is a catch-and-return, artificial flies only regulation in effect on Beaver Creek from the confluence with Black Rock Creek downstream approximately 1 mile to the red post that is .1 mile above Beaver Creek Road where catch and release is required.