Two people from Huntsville and one from Baysville were charged with possessing more walleye than legally allowed and for camping in a provincial park without a permit.
According to the Ministry of Natural Resources, the three individuals pleaded guilty to the illegal fishing practices, resulting in $6,000 in fines and a one-year fishing license suspension for each person.
On May 20, 2024, conservation officers stopped a vehicle on Mowat Landing Road in Firstbrook Township and discovered that between May 18 and May 20, the three anglers had caught and kept at least 29 walleye from Lady Evelyn Lake.
“In (that Fisheries Management Zone), anglers with a sport fishing licence may catch and retain four walleye and anglers with a conservation fishing licence may catch and retain two walleye,” stated the MNR release. “No walleye between 43 and 60 centimetres may be kept at any time.”
During their investigation, officers seized a drone from the group, and a search warrant was obtained for the device, which revealed videos and images of the three individuals illegally catching and retaining walleye. The footage also revealed evidence of them camping in Obabika River Provincial Park without the required permits.
The three individuals pleaded guilty on January 9, 2025.
