Sunshine State officers confiscate more than 1,200 fish
On March 13, Friday the 13th proved unlucky for four South Carolina anglers when a Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission officer seized their entire catch of 1,268 freshwater fish. The case is believed to be the largest of its kind ever filed in Polk County by the FWC. Veteran wildlife officer Jim Adams received an anonymous tip that led him to seize 1,264 shellcrackers, one warmouth, one spotted sunfish and two undersize largemouth bass from the group of out-of-state anglers fishing on Lake Kissimmee. Each fisherman is allowed 50 panfish per day, with a maximum of two days’ bag limit in possession. Possession limit violations are a second-degree misdemeanor punishable by a fine of up to $500 and/or 60 days in jail. Sam C. Shumpert of 1508 McNeil Dr., West Columbia, SC, was charged with possession of 294 fish over the legal possession limit. Daniel Shumpert of 17 Dunbar Rd., West Columbia, SC, was charged with 294 fish over his legal possession limit. Richard L. Richenbaker and his wife, Maura R. Richenbaker, 54 Rick Road, St. Matthews, SC, were each charged with 340 fish over the legal possession limit. The four anglers had been fishing out of Grape Hammock Fish Camp on Lake Kissimmee for three days. They told Adams they had been coming to Florida to fish every spring for a number of years. “The FWC depends upon partnerships forged with conservation-minded sportsmen to ensure the future of our freshwater fisheries,” Adams said. “Reports to the Wildlife Alert Hotline of potential violations are a key component of that partnership.” The FWC donated all of the fish to Natural Encounters in Lakes Wales. The fish will provide a six-month supply of food for the birds that Natural Encounters trains for Disney Productions.
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