Eight Michigan residents have been convicted of possessing too many walleye and must pay a total of $7,200 in fines.
Patrick Chye of Fountain; Larry Crawford, Darrell Crawford and Samuel Norton of Custer; Scott Fink, Brian Matson and Benjamin Norton of Scottville, and Keith Kiepen of Marine, Michigan, were all convicted under the Ontario Fishing Regulations.
Court heard that on May 30, 2009, conservation officers were conducting a fisheries check station at Agawa Bay Provincial Park on Highway 17. Three vehicles were stopped and an inspection revealed the party of anglers to have a substantial over limit of walleye in their possession. Many of the fish were frozen in such a way that they could not be easily identified or counted, and when thawed, revealed a total of 72 walleye, 36 over the group’s legal possession limit. All the fish were seized and forfeited to the Crown.
Justice of the Peace Sharon Roberson heard the case in the Ontario Court of Justice, Wawa, on July 16, 2009.
The Ministry of Natural Resources reminds the public that it is illegal to possess more fish than the possession limit of that species. It is also illegal to transport fish that cannot be readily identified or counted.
For further information on fishing regulations, please consult the 2008-2009 Recreational Fishing Regulations Summary, available at ServiceOntario/Government Information Centres, from licence issuers and at ontario.ca/fishing.
To report a natural resource violation, call 1-877-TIPS-MNR (847-7667) toll-free any time or contact your ministry office during regular business hours. You can also call Crime Stoppers anonymously at 1-800-222-TIPS (8477).
Joe Burroughs, Sudbury District, 705-564-7856
Charlie Todesco, Wawa District, 705-856 4731
