2009-03-27 Muskoka - Ice Fishing Blitz

89 CHARGES LAID DURING ENFORCEMENT BLITZ

March 27, 2009

The Ministry of Natural Resources laid 89 charges and issued 94 warnings during an enforcement blitz on Muskoka-area lakes during the March 14-15 weekend.

Conservation officers from the Parry Sound District and the ministry's canine unit, along with officers of the Ontario Provincial Police SAVE team, checked anglers on the ice on lakes Rosseau, Joseph, Muskoka and Lake of Bays.

Offences that resulted in charges and warnings included:

Fishing without a licence
Failing to produce a licence
Fishing with too many lines
Fishing with set lines
Occupying unnumbered ice fishing huts
Failing to wear a helmet
Having open containers of liquor
Drug-related offences.

For further information on fishing regulations, please consult the 2008-2009 Recreational Fishing Regulations Summary, available from licence issuers or at ontario.ca/fishing.

To report a natural resources violation, call 1-877-TIPS-MNR (847-7667) toll-free any time or contact the ministry's Minden area office at 705-286-5220 during regular business hours. You can also call Crime Stoppers anonymously at 1-800-222-TIPS (8477).