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North Bay man found guilty of fishing offences

Officers observed one of the men attempt to conceal live baitfish from the end of one of the lines
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The Ontario government is trying to protect fish species, such as brook trout, by stopping the spread of invasive species and so took two anglers to court/

Jeffery Marks, of North Bay and Matthew Butler, of Pembroke, both pleaded guilty to unlawfully using live baitfish as bait and were fined $2,000 each. Butler was also fined $500 for angling with too many lines.

The court heard that on February 20, 2021, conservation officers were patrolling baitfish-restricted natural brook trout lakes near Algonquin Park.

The two men were approached while angling through the ice on one of the specially protected lakes. Officers saw one of the men try to hide live baitfish from the end of one of the lines. The inspection revealed that they were actively angling for brook trout using live baitfish on their set fishing lines. In addition, Butler was angling with too many lines.

Justice of the Peace Kathleen Bryant heard the case via video conferencing in the Ontario Court of Justice, Parry Sound, on September 14, 2021.