May 29, 2009
CONCEALING OVERLIMIT OF FISH DOESN’T PAY
A Hurkett man has been charged for having 22 walleye over the legal limit and attempting to hide the fish from Ministry of Natural Resources conservation officers.
Gunnar Hult, 60, of Hurkett, has been fined $2,200 after pleading guilty to possessing 22 walleye more than the legal limit. He was also fined $1,000 for obstructing a conservation officer by attempting to conceal his cooler filled with fillets.
Court heard that on August 23, 2006, Hult was fishing on Fog Lake, northwest of Nipigon. As conservation officers approached the angler, he attempted to hide the walleye fillets by throwing the cooler containing them into the nearby bush. Following inspection, officers determined that Hult was in possession of 26 walleye fillets – 22 over the legal limit. All of Hult’s fishing equipment and fish were forfeited to the Crown.
Justice of the Peace John Guthrie heard the case in the Ontario Court of Justice, Thunder Bay, on May 22, 2009.
The ministry reminds anglers that the province’s recreational fishing regulations are in place to protect the sustainability of walleye populations. Catch and possession limits are listed in the 2008-2009 Recreational Fishing Regulations Summary, available at licence issuers, ServiceOntario/Government Information Centres and ontario.ca/fishing.
To report a natural resource violation, call 1-877-TIPS-MNR (847-7667) toll-free any time or contact your ministry office during regular business hours. You can also call Crime Stoppers anonymously at 1-800-222-TIPS (8477).