Fishermen Nabbed Before Season Started For Striped Bass

CROTON-ON-HUDSON, NY — The season for striped bass in New York starts April 1 each year. Two men fishing at Croton Point Park March 29 were reminded of that fact when a state environmental conservation officer caught them with a lot of striped bass.

ECO Craig Tompkins was patrolling access points along the Hudson River in Westchester County looking for fishing activity. He watched lots of groups fishing at Croton Point Park and observed several fishermen catch and keep striped bass.

As the ECO approached the first fisherman, he saw a garbage bag stuffed in the rocks along shore. When asked, the fisherman admitted it was his bag and that it contained six striped bass. After issuing the fisherman a ticket for possession of striped bass out of season, ECO Tompkins saw two anglers packing up their gear and walking to the parking lot.

The ECO met the two men at their truck and watched as one of the men placed a bag containing fish on the ground. ECO Tompkins emptied the bag and found 12 striped bass. One of the men admitted to catching and keeping all of the fish. He too was issued a ticket for possession of striped bass out of season.

The ECO released any fish that were still alive back to the Hudson River; the remaining fish were donated to a local zoo. All tickets are currently pending in the Village of Croton-on-Hudson Court for a date in April.