A Louisiana Department of Wildlife and Fisheries enforcement agent cited two men for alleged recreational fishing violations on April 17 in Plaquemines Parish.
The agent cited Frank Boeckl, 53, of Metairie, and Spencer Prechter, 33, of New Orleans, for over the limit of speckled trout.
Agents received information that the suspects were allegedly “tripping” speckled trout out of Empire. An agent made contact with the suspects and discovered they were in possession of 103 speckled trout.
During questioning, the suspects admitted to having already caught 50 speckled trout earlier in the morning, which they brought to their camp. They then returned to the water and caught an additional 53 trout.
The daily limit for speckled trout is 25 per person. Agents seized the 103 speckled trout and donated them to a local charity.
Possessing 50 or more speckled trout over the limit carries a $400 to $950 fine and up to 120 days in jail. Every speckled trout over the daily limit is also subject to a $25 fine, which totals $1,325 for this case.
The men may also face civil restitution for the replacement value of the illegally possessed fish totaling up to $1,535.41.