Caviar fishermen cited for multiple offenses on Wabash River

A total of 13 people from Illinois and Indiana have been arrested, cited or warned by DNRs from both states for commercial fishing violations this year, Illinois DNR announced today.

A number of complaints along the boundary waters of the Wabash River, where shovelnose sturgeon are found, led to a lengthy investigation and eventual charges.

DNR noted that the shovelnose sturgeon is a fish that is native to the waters of the Mississippi, Illinois, and Wabash Rivers.

"Although some sport fishermen consume the meat from shovelnose sturgeon, it is the eggs that have been targeted by commercial fishermen in recent years, because of the collapse of the European sturgeon market," DNR officials said.

Commercial fishermen in both states are allowed to take shovelnose sturgeon with approved commercial fishing devices on the Wabash River, as long as they possess the required licenses.  Illinois roe harvesters are required to have an Illinois commercial fishing license, an Illinois roe harvester license, and a sport fishing license.

Equipment seizures during the investigations include 35 commercial fishing nets, three trot lines, two wire fish traps, and one boat/motor.

Read more about the investigation in the Nov. 29. issue of Illinois Outdoor News.