The Ministry of Natural Resources and Forestry would like to remind anglers that species-specific closures are in place to protect the fishery, and it is illegal to fish for those species during closed seasons.

An investigation has resulted in a Wisconsin man being fined $6,000 for fishing offences related to fishing out-of-season on Lake Nipigon.

On June 8, 2019, conservation officers observed an individual fishing for, and keeping, walleye during the closed season on Tweed Creek, part of Lake Nipigon. They also observed the angler cleaning the walleye on his boat while still on the water. When approached by the conservation officers, the angler was in possession of walleye cut up into pieces. He admitted to angling with barbed hooks, which is prohibited tackle.

Wayne Nasi, of Hurley, Wisconsin pleaded guilty to angling and keeping walleye with a barbed hook, as well as cutting the fish so the species could not be readily identified by a conservation officer.

In the Thunder Bay Court on February 5, 2020, Justice of the Peace Bruce Leaman considered Nasi’s previous convictions when fining the man $6,000 and suspending his fishing licence for four years.

The part of the Tweed Creek where Nasi was fishing is in Zone 6 where the angling season for walleye is closed each year from April 14 to June 10 to protect walleye during their spawning season.

To report a natural resource violation or provide information about an unsolved case, members of the public can call the ministry TIPS line toll free at 1-877-847-7667 or contact your local ministry office. You can also call Crime Stoppers anonymously at 1-800-222-TIPS.

For more information about unsolved cases, please visit ontario.ca/mnrftips.