Does a Helper Need A Fishing License?

November 21, 2019

Question: My friend has offered to net fish that I catch. In particular, he is interested in accompanying me on a steelhead outing. Does he need to have a current license in order to net any fish that I may bring to net? (Mike F.)

Answer: By definition, “take” of a fish or animal includes hunting, capturing, killing and catching. So if your friend is assisting you with the “catching” of fish, by the letter of the law, he would need a license too.

...by the letter of the law, he would need a license too.

That’s a strange way to put it...

If that's true, then two limits can be landed.  Well then, I'm getting my wife a net and license for Christmas. 

If that's true, then two limits can be landed.  Well then, I'm getting my wife a net and license for Christmas.

I was under the impression one person could only take their single persons limit even if giving the fish away to someone else with a license.. wouldn't you have to switch off netting the fish?

If FNG says netting is the same as handling the pole, then the fish she nets are just as much her catch as mine.  What if there are two fishermen and my wife netting for both of us?  2 limits and she's netted an over limit then, seeing as she's as liable for their landing. 
The point I'm trying to make is that netting a fish for another is NOT fishing after all.  Saying so just makes more revenue for the department.  If it ever happened to us and wife got a ticket for netting a fish I caught because she didn't have a license, we'd fight it in court, refuse to pay the fine and take the jail time.  I'll miss her of course, but I've been learning to cook in preparation.