the MNR
Two Manitoba men have been fined for having an over-limit of over-sized walleye.
Philip Waldner and Henry Dueck, both of Steinbach, pleaded guilty under the Ontario Fishery Regulations for having over-sized walleye and were fined $2,000 and $500, respectively.
Waldner also was fined $1,000 for providing false information to a Ministry of Natural Resources conservation officer.
As well, the men are not allowed to fish in Ontario for one year.
Court heard that on July 3, a conservation officer contacted the men at a public boat launch at Clearwater Bay on Lake of the Woods.
Waldner told the officer they did not have any fish. Upon inspection, however, the officer found eight walleye in their boat.
Each man’s fishing licence allowed him to possess four walleye, of which only one could be longer than 46 cm (18 inches).
Of their eight walleye, seven were beyond the allowable length.
The fish were seized and the officer also seized their fishing equipment, which will be returned once their fines are paid.
Justice of the Roger McCraw heard the case Sept. 20 in Kenora.
The ministry reminds anglers that if you catch a fish in a restricted size range, you must release it immediately.
When measuring fish, total length is a measure from the tip of the mouth with the jaws closed to the tip of the tail, with the tail fin lobes compressed to give the maximum possible length.
For more information on fishing regulations, consult the 2011 Recreational Fishing Regulations Summary before heading out to fish.
The summary also is available at ServiceOntario/Government Information Centres, licence issuers, and on the ministry’s website at ontario.ca/fishing
To report a natural resources violation, call toll-free 1-877-TIPS-MNR (847-7667) any time or contact your local MNR office during regular business hours.
You also can call Crime Stoppers anonymously at 1-800-222-TIPS (8477).
