Two Americans fined for illegal bass fishing in northern Ontario

Conservation officer Ron Arnold talks about two U.S. men fined $3,260 for catching 22 smallmouth bass during closed season on a northern Ontario lake.

Two American men have been fined for fishing violations involving smallmouth bass during the closed season on a northern Ontario lake.

The total fines levied against the two non-resident anglers amount to $3,260.

Fines, licence suspensions issued

Bradley Barker of Dayton, Ohio, and Mark Burger of Grand Ledge, Michigan, each pleaded guilty to catching and retaining fish during the closed season and possessing fish that had been skinned so that the species could not be easily identified.

Each man was fined a total of $1,630. They are also both prohibited from possessing an Ontario fishing licence or engaging in any fishing activities in the province for one year.

Inspection revealed violations

Justice of the Peace Diane Lafleur heard that on June 20, a conservation officer inspected anglers who had been fishing on Frood Lake while staying at Charlton Lake Camp near Willisville.

“A subsequent investigation revealed that Burger and Barker’s fishing group had caught and retained 22 smallmouth bass throughout the week and were in possession of two large bags of unidentifiable fish fillets,” the Ontario Ministry of Natural Resources said in a court bulletin.

The smallmouth bass season for that area, Fisheries Management Zone 10, opens on the third Saturday in June, which was June 21 in 2025. Therefore, the men’s fishing activity occurred before the season opened.

Fish seized

“All 22 smallmouth bass were seized,” said the MNR.

The cases were heard in an Elliot Lake courtroom on Sept. 11.

To report a natural resource problem or provide information about an unsolved case, call the ministry TIPS line toll-free at 1-877-847-7667 or contact Crime Stoppers anonymously.

For more information about unsolved cases, click here.

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