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Too many fish, really big fines

A Field couple have been fined and barred from sports fishing for one year for drastically exceeding the legal walleye possession limit.
A Field couple have been fined and barred from sports fishing for one year for drastically exceeding the legal walleye possession limit.

Richard Larocque, 61, and Simone Larocque, pleaded guilty under The Fish and Wildlife Conservation Act, and were each fined $2,000.

Here is the news release from the Ontario Natural Resources Ministry, issued at 4:20 Oct 21:

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OVERFISHING NETS COUPLE $4,000 IN FINES

NORTH BAY — A husband and wife have each been fined $2,000 and barred from sport fishing for a year for having 113 walleye over the legal possession limit.

Rejean Larocque, 61, and Simone Larocque, 60, both of Field, pleaded guilty under The Fish and Wildlife Conservation Act.

Court was told that on September 12, 2003, a Ministry of Natural Resources (MNR) enforcement officer spotted Rejean Larocque catch and keep five walleye – one over the limit - while fishing on Red Cedar Lake. Five days later, as a result of that offence and past public complaints, conservation officers carried out a search warrant at the Larocque home and seized 27 freezer bags of walleye fillets.

Some of the fish had been caught on Red Cedar Lake this past summer, and others from the previous fishing season.

The bags contained 242 fillets - the equivalent of 121 walleye, 113 over the legal limit. The fish were donated to a Sturgeon Falls food bank.

Justice of the Peace Pierre Leclerc heard the cases in Sturgeon Falls Provincial Court on October 20, 2003.

The public is encouraged to help protect its natural resources by reporting violations to the local MNR office or anonymously to Crime Stoppers at 1-800-222-TIPS (8477).