July 2, 2009
Blitz On Bass Season Opener Finds Anglers Taking Too Many Fish
Conservation officers conducting a two-day blitz on the opening weekend of bass season found many anglers were taking more than the limit for the fish.
Officers checked 266 resident and five non-resident anglers for compliance with provincial and federal fish and game regulations during the blitz on June 27 and 28, focusing on the Maitland River in Goderich.
Forty-four fisheries-related violations were found and 23 charges were laid. Twenty-two of these violations were related to over limits of bass. The remaining violations were dealt with by warnings and by educating anglers about:
In addition, four violations were found for non-fisheries related legislation, for which officers laid three charges. The violations were related to having liquor in an open container in a public place and having care or control of a motor vehicle with an open container of liquor.
Anglers are reminded to review the fishing regulations about the number of fish they are allowed to catch and keep related to their licence.
For further information on fishing regulations, please consult the 2008-2009 Recreational Fishing Regulations Summary, available at ServiceOntario/Government Information Centres, licence issuers and 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).