July 2, 2008

MOST ANGLERS OBEYED THE RULES

Check of 3,100 Anglers Leads to 140 Charges

A four-week enforcement blitz by Ministry of Natural Resources in the northeast region found most anglers obeying the rules.  Special emphasis was placed on sensitive walleye fisheries throughout the northeast.

The blitz began on May 17, which corresponded to the opening weekend of walleye fishing in the northeast region, and ended on June 14.  The blitz covered an area from the Hudson Bay and James Bay coasts in the north, to the French and Mattawa rivers in the south, and from the Ontario-Quebec border in the east to Lake Superior and Manitouwadge in the west.

Conservation officers checked over 3,100 anglers and laid 140 charges including:

• 69 for fishing related offences including fishing without a licence
• catching and retaining more fish than permitted by quota, and
• transporting fish in a manner that they could not be identified or counted.

In total, 168 fish were seized including 130 walleye, 36 white bass, northern pike and yellow perch.

Other charges were also laid during the period for various offences under the Public Lands Act, The Liquor Licence Act, and The Small Vessel Regulations of the Canada Shipping Act.