William Bishop, of Rochester, N.Y., pleaded guilty in Hammond (N.Y.) Town Court last week to harassment charges and paid a $175 fine in the wake of the incident involving Elite Series angler Mark Menendez at the St. Lawrence River Elite Series tournament.
Bishop was cited for "fisherman harassment," stemming from an incident that occurred on July 31, the second day of the tournament, as Menendez fished along a stretch of docks that included one owned by Bishop.
When Menendez encountered Bishop, Bishop demanded Menendez leave the area and eventually started up his boat and drove in circles in an effort to disrupt Menendez's fishing. Menendez informed Bishop that he had the legal right to fish the area and that he wouldn’t leave (to read BassFan’s initial reporting on the incident, click here). Menendez said his marshal that day took photos of Bishop during the encounter.
New York is one of several states that has laws protecting anglers from harassment on public waterways, an issue that has arisen at multiple tournaments this season.
Menendez said he was pleased with the outcome of the case.
“I would like to thank all that were involved in the case, especially the investigating officer of the New York DEC, as well as all the supporting comments regarding my actions on and off the water I have received,” he said. “It is my hope that this case will provide awareness to outdoorsman and landowners alike. Public waters and land are just that – for public use. It is the responsibility of everyone to respect each other. It is also the good to be informed on laws pertaining to hunting and fishing.”
