How many crappie (“sac-a-lait”) are too many to keep? One man in Louisiana was caught with enough crappie to feed a church.
Louisiana wildlife officers cited a Rapides Parish man in mid November for recreational fishing violations, including possessing more than double the legal limit of crappie on Kincaid Lake. Kincaid Lake, near Alexandria, Louisiana, is a reservoir located in the Kisatchie National Forest.
Agents cited Jerald Tyler, 57, of Clifton, for possessing over the legal limit of crappie and fishing without a basic fishing license. The investigation began after Louisiana Department of Wildlife and Fisheries (LDWF) enforcement agents received a public complaint regarding an individual taking an excessive number of crappie from Kincaid Lake.
Upon arriving at the scene, agents made contact with Tyler, who was fishing from the bank. Agents discovered Tyler was in possession of 102 crappie. The legal daily limit for crappie on Kincaid Lake is 50 crappie per licensed fisherman. The illegally harvested fish were seized by agents and subsequently donated to a local charitable organization. Lieutenants Chad Watts and Senior Agent Dustin Barton were the agents involved in this case.
Fisheries Penalties
Tyler faces fines and civil restitution for the alleged violations:
- Civil Restitution: Tyler will be assessed $612 in civil restitution for the illegally taken crappie.
- Criminal Penalties: Possessing over the limit of crappie carries a maximum penalty of a $350 fine, while fishing without a basic license carries a maximum penalty of a $50 fine.
