Selling bait illegally nets northern Ont. man $15K in fines

$15K in fines for selling illegal baitfish A man from a community near Kenora has been fined after he sold illegal baitfish to a conservation officer.

A man from northwestern Ontario has his fishing licence suspended for three years and faces fines of $15,870 for illegally selling leeches and baitfish.

Neil Bernier of Bergland, was convicted of selling baitfish and leeches without a licence for commercial purposes, unlawfully taking baitfish for commercial purposes, fishing without a licence, commercially selling walleye, possessing an overlimit of walleye and packaging fish in a manner that species and number cannot be readily counted.

“The court heard that between 2019 and 2021, in response to public complaints, Fort Frances conservation officers, with the assistance of the Intelligence and Investigation Services unit, investigated the illegal commercial harvest and sale of baitfish, and the illegal sale of walleye,” the Ministry of Natural Resources and Forestry said in a news release Friday.

“During the investigation, Neil Bernier was seen illegally harvesting baitfish at the Morson government dock without a licence on multiple occasions. Bernier also unlawfully sold baitfish, leeches and walleye to officers without proper authority.”

The case was heard in the Ontario Court of Justice on June 11-12 in Fort Frances.

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. Call Crime Stoppers to remain anonymous at 1-800-222-TIPS.

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