A man and woman from Keene have pleaded guilty to possessing more than the allowable number of walleye, contrary to Ontario’s fishing regulations, and have each been placed on probation for two years.
Jeffrey Terry was fined $5,200 for the offence, while Michelle Terry received a suspended sentence. Under the terms of their probation, both Jeffrey Terry and Michelle Terry received a one-year fishing licence suspension and are prohibited from fishing within 50 kilometres of the Town of Temagami for two years.
Court heard that on June 24, 2017, a conservation officer and two Ontario Provincial Police officers were conducting a joint marine patrol on Cassells Lake near Temagami. A member of the public advised the officers that two people in a boat had been seen fishing on the lake every day for a week. With the assistance of Ontario Parks enforcement staff, the officers located the boat at a campsite at Finlayson Point Provincial Park.
An inspection of the fish in the possession of the two anglers revealed several bags of frozen skinless fish fillets. Once the fish were thawed, a total of 34 walleye were counted – 26 more than allowed. In addition, several of the fish appeared to have been within the protected size for the area.
The fish were forfeited to the Crown and will be donated to a charity.
Justice of the Peace Theodore Hodgins heard the case on September 7, 2017, in the Ontario Court of Justice, Haileybury.
The public is reminded that catch and possession limits are in place to ensure the sustainability of Ontario’s fisheries.
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).