Incident occurred in St. Tammany Parish on Aug. 21, LDWF says
Enforcement agents with the Louisiana Department of Wildlife and Fisheries cited a 68-year-old Slidell man for alleged crab trap theft on Aug. 21.
According to a press release, Ernest Schmolke was ticketed for illegal removal of crab trap contents after he was allegedly observed emptying the contents of six crab traps into his boat on Lake Pontchartrain near Slidell.
When agents made contact with him on Monday, they determined Schmolke did not own the traps or have permission to empty them, the release states.
Ten pounds of blue crabs were seized and returned to the water, according to the release.
Illegal removal of crab trap contents brings a $450 to $950 fine or up to 120 days in jail, the release states.
