Most anglers in Northeastern Ontario are obeying the rules, say conservation officers from the Ministry of Natural Resources following a four-week enforcement blitz.
The blitz started May 20, corresponding with the opening weekend of walleye fishing in the northeast. Conservation officers were placing special emphasis on sensitive walleye fisheries.
The blitz ended June 18 and covered from the Hudson Bay and James Bay coasts in the north to the French and Mattawa rivers in the south, and from the Ontario-Quebec border in the east to Lake Superior and Manitouwadge in the west.
Conservation officers checked more than 6,000 anglers and laid 179 charges including 121 for fishing related offences (fishing without a licence and keeping more than the quota allows) and 10 charges for transporting fish in a way that they couldn't be identified or counted.
More than 200 fish were seized from anglers as was illegal bait in the form of leeches.
Conservation officers also investigated an additional 229 violations not related to angling including violations against the Public Lands and Forest Fire Preventions Acts and small vessel regulations.
For more information on fishing regulations consult the Ministry of Natural Resources website at www.mnr.gov.on.ca/MNR/pubs/pubmenu.html.
