Hooked Waterfowl

January 12, 2023

Question: I was fishing in a lake and accidentally hooked a duck. I reeled it in and carefully removed the hook from its bill. The duck looked fine, so I let it go. My friends and I were wondering: If I had a hunting license and federal and state stamps, could I have legally kept the duck?

Answer: We’re glad you released the duck, because harvesting it would have been illegal. Even though it was an accident, taking a duck by hook is not an authorized method of take in California Code of Regulations, Title 14, section 507(opens in new tab). Accidentally catching waterfowl by hook and line happens occasionally - usually in parks with waterfowl that have developed more domesticated behavior characteristics. You did the right thing by removing the hook and releasing the duck immediately. However, if the duck were injured or if you did not want to risk injuring it by removing the hook, we’d recommend notifying a local wildlife rehabilitation facility.

So fishing for ducks is not allowed, but how about seagulls? I’ve hooked a few of them…

So fishing for ducks is not allowed, but how about seagulls? I’ve hooked a few of them…

They taste like chicken!!! I also have reeled in my fair share, best one was after I got it off the hook on my buddy 26 ft alumiweld his little dog went crazy trying to get that dumb bird… dumb bird kept jumping back on the deck after getting thrown off the boat 4 damn times guess my herring was to die for cuz the stupid bird almost did.

Looking for a faceslap emogi ...

How do pelicans taste?  My nephew landed one once.

Not a duck or a seagull, and not hooked, but this fowl-smelling bird would not leave me alone...

Very cool video. Great fishing partner.

While jigging 30' down at Pyramid last October, I hooked what I thought was a nice Cutthroat. Nope pulled up a Merganser. Little bugger pecked the shit out of my hands but I eventually released it unharmed. 

Very cool video. Great fishing partner.

Yeah, but it smelled terrible! I never knew that any living thing could smell that bad…