Remember when your mother took a toy away or sent you to your room because you couldn’t “play nice”?

That seems like sort of the message the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers is sending to people who fish in the outlet channel of Clinton Dam. Corps officials announced that the outlet would be closed Friday for the first time since 1993. No timeline was given for when it would reopen.

The action was taken because of excessive trash in the area and reports of fishermen using hooks to snag fish, which is illegal. Recent rains led to increased releases from the lake, which raised the water level below the dam, making the fishing good and attracting large crowds of fishermen. Unfortunately, some of those fishermen took advantage of the situation.

Now the words of your first-grade teacher may be coming back to you. You know, the thing about “one person spoiling it for everyone.”

Fishing is an enjoyable activity for both young and old. It’s too bad some juvenile behavior has eliminated that fun for other lake visitors.