Too Many Lake Trout Nets $5,500 In Fines
A Picton-area man has been fined a total of $5,500 after he pleaded guilty to several fishing offences.
Kevin Lavers was fined $500 for catching and keeping more than the limit of lake trout and $1,000 for possessing more than the limit of lake trout on May 6, 2009. He was fined the same amounts for committing the same offences again on May 7, 2009, as well as $1,000 for obstructing a conservation officer.
The court heard that Lavers had been fishing on Lake of Bays near Dorset on May 6 and 7. A joint investigation by a Ministry of Natural Resources conservation officer and Ontario Provincial Police officers revealed that, on both days, Lavers caught and kept six lake trout. A sportfishing licence allows an angler to catch and keep two lake trout per day. The limit for possessing lake trout is also two. During the investigation, Lavers asked another party to hide the fish he had caught.
Justice of the Peace, Dennis D. White heard the case in the Ontario Court of Justice, Bracebridge, on June 17, 2010.
Anglers are reminded to review the 2010 Fishing Regulations Summary to confirm the number of fish they are allowed to catch and keep under their licence.
For further information about fishing regulations, please consult the 2010 Recreational Fishing Regulations Summary, available at ServiceOntario/Government Information Centres, licence issuers and at ontario.ca/fishing.
To report a natural resources violation, call 1-877-TIPS-MNR (847-7667) toll-free any time or contact your local ministry officer during regular business hours. You can also call Crime Stoppers anonymously at 1-800-222-TIPS (8477)
Gary Higgins, Bracebridge Area Office, 705-646-5554
Paul van Schyndel, Bracebridge Area Office, 705-646-5521
