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Chatham

Fishermen Fined $2.5K For Catching Too Many Walleye

Two Amherstburg men have been fined $2,500 after catching too many walleye in Lake Erie.

The Ministry of Natural Resources reports that Robert Gignac (junior) from Amherstburg pleaded guilty and was fined $1,000 for catching an over-limit amount of walleye in Lake Erie. He was also fined $500 for transporting illegally-caught fish.

Robert Gignac (senior), also from Amherstburg, was fined $1,000 for catching an over-limit amount of walleye in Lake Erie. His fishing equipment and 27 walleye were permanently taken away.

According to a news release, conservation officers with the Southern Marine Enforcement Unit were notified that three people were fishing in boat called the “Buckeye” in Lake Erie in Chatham-Kent east of Wheatley on August 1,2017. The officers were also informed that one person boat was seen cleaning the fish.

When the boat returned to Wheatley Harbour later that day, it was inspected by officers.

The release states that the fishermen showed 17 walleye in a cooler, but said they had no more fish. A search of the boat, with the assistance of the ministry’s canine unit, revealed another 10 filleted walleye hidden in a utility box in the front of the boat. The men were nine walleye over their possession limit of six walleye each.

It is reported that Robert Gignac (junior) also had a prior conviction last year for fishing for walleye on Lake Erie with two extra fishing rods.

Justice of the Peace Angela Renaud heard the case in the Ontario Court of Justice in Windsor on Monday.

For further information about fishing regulations, check out the Recreational Fishing Regulations Summary.

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).

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