MN man caught with more than 400 panfish

An Otsego man will appear in Wright County court Wednesday for catching hundreds of fish over the legal limit.

Chien Van Tran, 39, was cited on April 4 at Pelican Lake in Wright County. Tran initially told a state conservation officer that he only had about a dozen fish. The officer found about 150 fish on the boat, as well as more fish in the freezer of Tran's house. In all, Tran was 413 sunfish and 30 crappies over the state's daily limit.

The DNR said the officer seized the fish, as well as Tran's boat, motor, trailer and fishing license.

Tran faces a maximum penalty of $3,000 and one year in jail. He could also lose his fishing license for up to three years.

The Minnesota Department of Natural Resources urges anyone who witnesses a fishing or hunting violation to report it to the Minnesota State Patrol or the DNR.

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