Overfishing walleye in northern Ont. leads to $5.5K in fines

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Six men from eastern Ontario have been fined thousands of dollars for overfishing walleye during an expedition north of Cochrane.

The court heard that on Sept. 22, 2023, Cochrane conservation officers were conducting aerial enforcement north of Cochrane and landed for inspection at a fly-in moose camp on Natogami Lake.

“The officers found the group of six in possession of 47 walleye, 25 walleye over their legal limit,” the Ministry of Natural Resources and Forestry said in a news release.

“The over limit of walleye was subsequently seized.”

The men were fined a total of $5,510 for hunting and fishing-related offences.

Mathew Turner of Plainville, Robert Patrick of Roslin, Dennis Christie of Trenton and Keith Turk of Gananoque pleaded guilty to possession of fish over the legal limit and were each fined $835.

James Turner of Frankford pleaded guilty to possession of fish over the legal limit and failing to wear proper hunter orange while hunting. He was fined a total of $1,135.

George Sweanor of Trenton pleaded guilty to possession of fish over the legal limit and failing to carry his licence while hunting. He was fined a total of $1,035.

Justice of the Peace Jean-Marie Blier heard the case remotely in the Ontario Court of Justice in Cochrane on March 5.

To report a natural resource problem or provide information about an unsolved case, members of the public can call the ministry TIPS line toll-free at 1-877-847-7667.

You can also call Crime Stoppers anonymously at 1-800-222-TIPS. For more information about unsolved cases, please click here.