98 charges laid in MNR enforcement blitz

News Release
MNR

The Ministry of Natural Resources laid 98 charges and issued 321 warnings during a seven-day enforcement blitz from June 17 to 24 throughout northwestern Ontario.

Conservation officers checked nearly 2,300 anglers on lakes and rivers in the northwest region. Officers checked anglers for compliance with the Fish and Wildlife Conservation Act and the Ontario Fishery Regulations.
Charges were issued for:

-fishing without a licence
-having an over-limit of walleye

-possessing fish of prohibited length
-trespassing to fish
-transporting fish possessed illegally

-importing live baitfish
camping on Crown land without a permit
-littering on Crown land, and
-obstructing a conservation officer.

Warnings were issued for:
-improperly packaged fish
-failing to produce a fishing licence
-possessing fish of prohibited length
-possessing an improperly issued license
-possessing unmarked live fish in a holding device
-failing to attend to a fire, and
-illegally occupying Crown land.

Officers also laid charges and warnings under the Liquor Licence Act for open liquor in a public place and the Small Vessels Act for not having appropriate safety equipment aboard a vessel.

To report a natural resources violation, call 1-877-TIPS-MNR (847-7667) toll-free any time or contact your local ministry’s office during regular business hours. You can also call Crime Stoppers anonymously at 1-800-222-TIPS (8477).