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Fish and wildlife are a public trust, an American birthright that are here for everyone. We at the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service stand by this tenet and are determined to uphold the North American Model of Wildlife Conservation by stopping the illegal commercialization of wildlife. Take a moment to learn about the poacher behind an illegal guiding operation.
Dylan Nissley, 32 years old, of Wakarusa, Indiana, was sentenced by United States District Court Judge Damon R. Leichty on September 11, 2025, after pleading guilty to three misdemeanor Lacey Act violations. Nissley was sentenced to two years of probation, which includes a universal fishing and hunting ban for the entire probation period and 144 hours of community service. Nissley also paid $10,000 to the Lacey Act Reward Act.
According to documents in the case, during the spring of 2023, Nissley offered unlawful guided fishing trips in Lake Erie, Ohio. At the time of the trips, Nissley did not possess a valid U.S. Coast Guard Captain License or a valid fishing guide license. He also allowed individuals to double bag, meaning to catch and keep several more walleye than allowed by the legal bag limit under state law. Nissley also violated the Lacey Act in November 2023 during the archery-only portion of the Missouri deer hunting season. Nissley killed a buck with a firearm, failed to report all the deer he harvested and took more than two antlered deer during the season.
鈥淧oaching has no place in America鈥檚 hunting and fishing heritage,鈥� said Assistant Director Douglas Ault of the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, Office of Law Enforcement. 鈥淲e appreciate the strong support from our partners in Indiana, Ohio, Missouri and the U.S. Coast Guard Investigative Service. This case is a reminder for all hunters and anglers to be diligent when selecting guiding services and ensure you鈥檙e working with someone who complies with the law and honors the ethical principles of the outdoors."
Why is this a federal crime?
This is a federal crime because the poacher broke state wildlife laws and crossed state lines with the wildlife from those crimes. Our investigation highlighted Nissley鈥檚 illegal commercial fishing operation on Lake Erie in Ohio, where he allowed non-residents, who happened to be covert conservation officers, to keep walleye in excess of the daily limit. Nissley was also caught replicating this pattern of illegal activity when he exceeded his bag limit of white-tailed deer in Missouri and transported these across state lines in violation of the Lacey Act. While Congress has amended this law over the years, the Lacey Act is our nation鈥檚 oldest wildlife law, one that has carried heavy fines and penalties for more than a century.
What is the Lacey Act Reward Account and how can I report a tip about wildlife crime?
While special agents and wildlife inspectors within our Office of Law Enforcement work with federal, state and Tribal conservation partners across the country to investigate wildlife crime, we also depend on tips from concerned citizens. People from all walks of life step up and share information that helps us protect everything from native turtles and pallid sturgeon to bald eagles and white-tailed deer. We use funds from this special account to reward those who share valuable information that leads to an arrest or conviction. We also use these funds to help offset the costs of caring for live animals that have been seized in active wildlife crime cases. Together we can help keep wildlife healthy, sustainable and wild.
This case was investigated by the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service with assistance from the Indiana Department of Natural Resources, Ohio Department of Natural Resources, Missouri Department of Conservation and U.S. Coast Guard Investigative Service. The case was prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Lydia T. Lucius.
