A Michigan-area angler has been fined for possessing an over-limit of walleye.
Debra Reid of East Jordan, Michigan, pleaded guilty and was fined $1,050 under the Ontario Fishery Regulations.
Court heard that on August 25, 2012, Canada Border Services Agency and the Ministry of Natural Resources conservation officers were conducting checks at the International Bridge in Sault Ste.
Marie, Ontario. During the inspection, it was determined that Reid had been fishing at Como Lake, west of Chapleau, in Fisheries Management Zone 7.
Further inspection revealed she possessed seven walleye over her legal limit of four. The offence was detected when the officer began to peel apart frozen walleye fillets and found skinless walleye fillets frozen in between.
Justice of the Peace James V. Bubba heard the case in the Ontario Court of Justice, Sault Ste. Marie, on May 2, 2013.
The Ministry of natural Resources reminds anglers that possession limits are in place to ensure the sustainability of fishery resources and that all fish must be packaged so that they can easily be counted and identified.
For further information about fishing regulations, please consult the 2013 Recreational Fishing Regulations Summary, available at ontario.ca/fishing.
To report a natural resources violation, call 1-877-TIPS-MNR (847-7667) toll-free any time or contact your local ministry office during regular business hours.
You can also call Crime Stoppers anonymously at 1-800-222-TIPS (8477).