UPSALA – The Ministry of Natural Resources and Forestry laid 15 charges and issued 34 warnings during a three-day enforcement blitz near Upsala, Ontario.
From June 16 to 18, 2016, conservation officers from the Thunder Bay enforcement unit checked 266 anglers, including 222 non-residents. Officers patrolled the Graham Road and Lac Des Mille Lacs areas checking for compliance with the Fish and Wildlife Conservation Act, the Public Lands Act, and the Ontario Fishery Regulations.
Charges and warnings were issued for:
- possessing more fish than allowed
- possessing fish of a prohibited size
- packing fish so that they cannot easily be counted
- making a false statement to a conservation officer
- operating motor vehicles in an area without authority
A total of 35 walleye and 13 northern pike were seized.
Officers also laid charges and issued warnings under the Small Vessel Regulations and Liquor Licence Act for insufficient personal floatation devices and having open liquor while operating a boat.
The ministry reminds the public that fishing limits are in place to maintain a sustainable fishery so that anglers and other resource users may enjoy the resource in the future.
For further information on fishing regulations please consult the Ontario Fishing Regulations Summary available at ontario.ca/fishing.
To report a natural resources violation, call the MNRF TIPS line at 1-877-847-7667 toll-free any time or contact your local ministry office during regular business hours. You can also call Crime Stoppers anonymously at 1-800-222-TIPS (8477).
