A North Bay man has been fined $2,500 for abandoning an ice hut on Lake Nipissing.
Shane D’Cruze pleaded guilty and was fined for depositing material on water or ice covering public lands, contrary to the Public Lands Act.
Court heard that in March 2015, the Ministry of Natural Resources and Forestry had received several complaints from the public regarding an ice hut that had fallen through the ice after its removal deadline near Sunset Point on Lake Nipissing.
Conservation officers from the North Bay enforcement unit investigated and found an ice hut abandoned and submerged in about six feet of water. Officers removed the hut from the lake and retrieved evidence that led them to D’Cruze.
Justice of the Peace Lauren Scully heard the case in the Ontario Court of Justice, North Bay, on December 16, 2015.
The public is reminded that it is an offence to abandon items, such as garbage, lumber, blocking and ice huts, on ice that covers public lands. Ice huts must also be removed by March 15 in this area, or earlier, if conditions warrant. These items can become boating hazards, pose safety risks to swimmers and raise environmental concerns when they remain in the water as the ice melts.
For further information on fishing regulations, please consult the Ontario Fishing Regulations Summary, available at ontario.ca/fishing.
To report a natural resources violation, 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 call Crime Stoppers anonymously at 1-800-222-TIPS (8477).