Ministry of Forestry and Natural Resources
FORT FRANCES, Ont. -- A Minnesota man has been fined for an offence under the Ontario Fishery Regulations.
Shane Thompson of Warroad pleaded guilty and was fined $2,500 for fishing in a provincial fish sanctuary during the closed season. His fishing rods were forfeited to the Crown.
Court heard that on April 20, 2018, a Ministry of Natural Resources and Forestry conservation officer discovered Thompson ice fishing within the well-marked fish sanctuary of Porter Inlet of Redgut Bay in Rainy Lake. Thompson was also in possession of several black crappie, which were caught in the sanctuary.
Justice of the Peace Pat Clysdale-Cornell heard the case in the Ontario Court of Justice, in Fort Frances, on August 10, 2018.
The ministry reminds anglers that fishing regulations are in place to maintain a sustainable fishery, and sanctuaries are critical in protecting fish populations for future generations to enjoy. For more information on fishing regulations, please consult the Ontario Fishing Regulations Summary available at ontario.ca/fishing.
To report a natural resources violation, call the MNRF TIPS line at 1-877-847-7667 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). And visit Ontario.ca/mnrftips to view an interactive, searchable map of unsolved cases. You may be able to provide information that will help solve a case.
