The Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission Division of Law Enforcement Weekly Report from May 26 - June 1 includes incidents in the Lake Okeechobee area.

Glades County

Officers Naules and Watson observed a subject throwing a cast nest in freshwater. During the resource inspection, the subject was found to be in possession of multiple freshwater gamefish including largemouth bass, crappie, bluegill, and other panfish. The subject was arrested for harvesting freshwater game fish by illegal method (cast net).

Hendry County

Senior Officer Polly observed a group of subjects throwing cast nets in freshwater and conducted a fishing license and resource inspection. During the inspection, it was found one of the subjects was in possession of a largemouth bass and 12 bream. The subject was issued a criminal notice to appear for the unlawful possession of freshwater fish with a device prohibited for taking freshwater fish.

Palm Beach County

• While on patrol in the A1-Flow equalization basin, Officer Tarr observed two individuals with a cooler who were cast netting and cleaning tilapia at the water’s edge. While approaching the subjects, the officer observed a second cooler in the bed of a vehicle. A resource inspection of the cooler in the vehicle revealed a yellow-bellied slider on ice. After speaking to the subjects, one of the subjects admitted to picking up the turtle from the water’s edge and putting it in the cooler. The subject was issued a citation for violation of Executive order 21-19.

• Officers Wences and Harris were conducting land-based water patrol on State Road 80 east of State Road 700 when they observed two subjects fishing with a cast net. While conducting the resource inspection, Officer Harris discovered two bluegill and two redear sunfish that were taken by illegal method. Citations were issued accordingly.