A Montreal man is on the hook for $5,000 in fines after pleading guilty to some fishing violations that took place in the Erieau area.
Ministry of Natural Resources and Forestry officials say someone called them after seeing someone on August 17, 2017 who was fishing with a spot light from an inflatable motorized boat.
Conservation officers followed the man to the boat ramp at the Erieau Marina that same day and found more than 80 fish (33 largemouth bass, 41 crappie, and ten panfish) in three plastic coolers.
They also learned the man didn't have a valid Ontario Outdoors Card or a fishing licence. As a result, he was fined $3,000 for not having a fishing without a licence and another $2,000 combined for possessing a spear within 30m of the water's edge and using an artificial light to attract fish.
The man's equipment was taken away and he's now banned from fishing for five years.
His case was heard in court on May 24, 2018.
If you see suspicious activity regarding a potential natural resources violation, you can call the MNRF TIPS line at 1-877-847-7667 toll-free any time or contact your local ministry office during regular business hours.
You can also contact Crime Stoppers anonymously at 1-800-222-TIPS (8477).
