2009-03-30 Lake Simcoe - Ice Fishing Blitz

79 CHARGES IN LAKE SIMCOE FISHING ENFORCEMENT BLITZ

March 30, 2009

The Ministry of Natural Resources laid 79 charges and issued 95 warnings during a joint enforcement blitz on Lake Simcoe with York Regional Police during the March 14-15 weekend.

Conservation officers from the Aurora and Midhurst districts teamed up with York Regional Police officers to check anglers on the ice and at access points. Officers checked that anglers were complying with the law while fishing for species such as lake trout, whitefish and yellow perch. They also watched for invasive species being used as bait. The officers checked 1,050 people.

Charges and warnings were issued for:

Catching and keeping too many fish
Catching fish out of season
Fishing without a licence
Failing to produce a licence
Fishing with too many lines
Transporting illegally caught fish.

Officers also laid charges against individuals for liquor offences, not wearing helmets and not having proper permits and insurance for snow machines and all-terrain vehicles.

For further information on fishing regulations, please consult the 2008-2009 Recreational Fishing Regulations Summary, which is 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 Aurora District office at (905) 713-7400 or Midhurst District office at (905) 725-7500 during regular business hours. You can also call Crime Stoppers anonymously at 1-800-222-TIPS (8477).