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PENALTIES FOR STOCKING

Current penalties for those convicted of illegally stocking fish


Western North America
Jurisdiction
Penalty
Prison Term
Loss of License
Canada*
$100,000
1 year
5 years
Alaska
$10,000
1 year
varies
Arizona
$2,500
1 year
5 years
California**
$1,000
6 months
lifetime
Colorado
$68
none
none
Idaho
$1,000
varies
3 years
Montana
$5,000
1 year
lifetime
Nevada
$500
6 months
3 years
New Mexico
$500
6 months
3 years
Oregon
$6,250
1 year
2 years
Utah
$2,500
1 year
varies
Washingon
$,5,000
1 year
none
Wyoming
$1,000
6 months
3 years

Per a 2008 telephone survey of agency enforcement and fisheries personnel (B.M. Johnson, unpublished data). Note that intentional stocking may be found to be in violation of multiple laws and result in forfeitures, as well as higher penalties, and prison terms than those listed here. Further, perpetrators may be liable for mitigation costs which can easily run into the millions of dollars. All U.S. states listed are now members of the Interstate Wildlife Violators Compact which recognizes license revocations across member jurisdictions.

*Illegal fish stocking in Canada falls under the federal Fisheries Act

**stocking invasive species (e.g., northern pike, carries a fine of up to $50,000)


This site produced by Dr. Brett Johnson, Fisheries and Aquatic Sciences Professor at Colorado State University. 

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