A Drayton man has been heavily fined for possessing an over-limit of fish.
Johan Enns of Drayton and Isaac Enns of St. Clements both pleaded guilty in Court of Justice in Windsor and were each fined $5,000 for possessing more than the allowable number of walleye caught in Lake Erie.
The court heard that on July 29, conservation officers were conducting inspections of anglers at the Leamington Municipal Marina. During an inspection of their vehicles and boat, officers found 50 walleye in two coolers. That's 38 walleye over their possession limit of six walleye each.
In addition to the $5,000 fines, four fishing rods, two tackle boxes, two coolers and 50 walleye were forfeited to the Crown.
Anglers are reminded that it is illegal to catch and keep an over-limit of fish. An individual may not retain more than the possession limit of that species. Possession includes storing fish at home in freezers or other locations, as well as transporting them, holding them in live wells, coolers or eating them as part of a day’s meal.
For further information on fishing regulations, consult the Ontario Fishing Regulations Summary, available at ontario.ca/fishing.