Most obeying the fishing regulations

News Release
MNR

Almost 95 per cent of anglers checked during an enforcement blitz in the Sioux Lookout area were found to be obeying the law.
Ministry of Natural Resources conservation officers from the Sioux Lookout, Kenora and Fort Frances districts, including the canine services unit, conducted the enforcement blitz on June 20 and 21, 2012. Officers checked 863 anglers, including 805 non-residents, for compliance with the Fish and Wildlife Conservation Act and the Ontario Fishery Regulations.
They laid 16 charges and issued 25 warnings while conducting checks at over 25 area fishing lodges and a provincial park. They also seized a total of 37 walleye which were forfeited to the Crown.
Charges and warnings were issued for:
•possessing an over-limit of fish
•transporting fish taken unlawfully as they were in a restricted size range
•transporting live fish or spawn
•failing to keep fish measurable and identifiable
•unlawfully packaged fish which could not readily be counted, identified or measured, and
•fishing without a licence and failing to produce a licence.
In addition, conservation officers issued warnings for infractions under the Liquor Licence Act for consuming liquor outside licensed premises, a residence or a private place. A charge was also laid under the Public Lands Act for disobeying road closure signs.
The ministry reminds the public that conservation officers conduct routine checks to ensure that anglers are obeying a variety of resource laws.
For further information on fishing regulations, please consult the 2012 Recreational Fishing Regulations Summary , available at ServiceOntario/Government Information Centres and from 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 office during regular business hours. You can also call Crime Stoppers anonymously at 1-800-222-TIPS (8477).