Ministry of Natural Resources and Forestry crews have laid fines to two Winnipeg fishermen. The $14,900 of fines have been laid for fishing-related violations under the Fish and Wildlife Conservation Act.
A conservation officer conducting a fisheries inspection contacted the men at a cottage in Clearwater Bay, Lake of the Woods. In front of the cottage was evidence of recent fishing activity. During the inspection, the MNRF say that both men made multiple false and misleading statements to the officer.
A subsequent investigation by the conservation officer confirmed that both men had conducted illegal fishing activity, including angling for lake trout in a closed area and using restricted fishing gear.
Matthew Slough and Kieran McCormick were each fined:
- $3,500 for obstructing a conservation officer;
- $1,500 for making false and misleading statements to a conservation officer;
- $1,200 for fishing for lake trout during a closed season;
- $500 for unlawfully using fish as bait; and
- $500 for fishing with barbed hooks in a restricted area.
Slough was also fined $500 for fishing without a license. Both men are suspended from fishing in Ontario for two years and their fishing equipment was forfeited to the Crown.
