An angler from Ottawa is facing a $10,000 fine and a one-year fishing suspension in the province after being busted with 36 walleye over the legal limit near Thunder Bay.
The Ministry of Natural Resources and Forestry says conservation officers received a tip that a group of anglers attended a fly-in fishing camp on Whitewater Lake, north of Armstrong, and were in possession of several bags of fish over the legal limit.
Officers stopped a vehicle near Thunder Bay and discovered a cooler containing 8 bags of frozen, skinless fish and one northern pike. The angler from Ottawa, Andre Malguzzi, admitted to them being in his possession.
Once thawed, the MNRF said the bags contained 140 pieces of fish, totaling 40 walleye and 5 northern pike – putting him over the limit of 4 walleye and 4 northern pike.
As a result, Malguzzi plead guilty to possession of fish over the legal limit and possession of fish packed in a manner that could not be easily counted, and was fined $10,000. He also received a one-year fishing suspension in Ontario.
The MNRF reminds the public to report any tips to the Ministry at 1-877-847-7667.