A Callander man has been fined for keeping undersized walleye, contrary to Ontario’s fishery regulations.

Paul Simec pleaded guilty and was fined $2,800 for possessing seven walleye of a prohibited size.

Court heard that on January 28, 2018, Ministry of Natural Resources and Forestry conservation officers were conducting a fisheries patrol when they stopped Simec, who was returning by snowmobile to his nearby residence after fishing on Lake Nipissing. As Simec observed the officers approaching, he dropped a bag. Officers inspected the bag and found five prohibited-sized walleye. The officers then went to Simec’s residence, where he produced two more prohibited-sized walleye.

Justice of the Peace James Bubba heard the case in the Ontario Court of Justice, North Bay, on March 21, 2018.

The ministry reminds the public that it is illegal to catch and possess any walleye from Lake Nipissing that are less than 46 centimetres (18.1 inches) in length.

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). And visit ontario.ca/mnrftips to view an interactive, searchable map of unsolved cases. You may be able to provide information that will help solve a case.