A Sioux Lookout man has been fined $6,600 and banned from fishing for one year after being caught with 17 walleye over the legal limit.
On June 6, 2022, a conservation officer conducted an inspection at the Sioux Lookout train station, which is regularly used by anglers to access popular fishing locations.
A cooler belonging to Robert Whalen contained numerous packages of skinned frozen fish, making it difficult to identify and count. Whalen was returning from a fishing trip on Kawaweogama Lake near Allenwater.
During a recent court hearing, Whalen pleaded guilty to possessing fish over the legal limit, possession of fish packed in a manner that could not easily be counted, and possession of fish skinned in a manner that could not easily be identified.
"The Ontario government is safeguarding the province’s walleye population by ensuring overfishing doesn’t take place," said a press release from the Ministry of Natural Resources and Forestry, announcing the conviction.
To report a natural resource problem or provide information about an unsolved case, members of the public can call the ministry TIPS line toll free at 1-877-847-7667. They can also call Crime Stoppers anonymously at 1-800-222-TIPS.
For more information about unsolved cases, see ontario.ca/mnrftips.