ICE FISHING PATROLS ON LAKE ERIE FIND 87 PER CENT OF ANGLERS OBEYING RULES

April 1, 2009

The Ministry of Natural Resources laid 46 charges and issued 79 warnings while conducting enforcement patrols on the ice-covered waters of Lake Erie's Long Point Bay between mid-January and early March.

Conservation officers from the Lake Erie and Aylmer Districts checked 938 anglers on the ice and at access points around Long Point Bay for compliance with the Fish and Wildlife Conservation Act and the Ontario Fisheries Regulations.

Charges and warnings were issued for:

• A range of licence infractions, including fishing without a licence and failing to produce a licence
• Fishing with too many lines
• Failing to register an ice hut
• Failing to have an unobstructed view of a fishing line
• Making a false statement to a conservation officer
• Failing to comply with licence issuing manual, and
• Skinning fish so that species cannot readily be identified.

Officers laid charges against individuals under the Off-Road Vehicles Act and Motorized Snow Vehicle Act for not wearing helmets and not having proper permits and insurance for snow machines and all-terrain vehicles. Warnings were also issued under the Liquor Licence Act for having open liquor on the ice.

For further information on fishing regulations, please consult the 2008-2009 Recreational Fishing Regulations Summary, available at ServiceOntario/Government Information Centres and 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 your local ministry office during regular business hours. You can also call Crime Stoppers anonymously at 1-800-222-TIPS (8477).

www.ocoa.ca