NEWS RELEASE
MINISTRY OF NATURAL RESOURCES AND FORESTRY
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An Iroquois Falls man has been fined a total of $1,300 for fishing offences.
Gaston Lefebvre pleaded guilty and was fined $1,000 for having an over-limit of walleye and $300 for packaging fish so that the species cannot be easily identified. He also received a three-month fishing licence suspension.
Court heard that on June 3, 2017, conservation officers, with help from the canine unit, checked Lefebvre and another angler while they were fishing on Lake Abitibi. During the inspection, three walleye were presented to the officers.
The canine unit subsequently inspected the boat and found a cooler which contained an additional 36 skinless walleye and sauger fillets, for a total of 18 fish.
Lefebvre claimed ownership of 18 fillets, while the individual he was angling with claimed responsibility for the three walleye, as well as the remaining fillets. This second individual is the subject of an ongoing investigation by the ministry.
The sport fishing licence limit for Lake Abitibi is four walleye and sauger combined. The fish must also be left whole while being transported over water so that the length and species of fish can be determined.
Justice of the Peace François Cloutier heard the case in the Ontario Court of Justice, Timmins, on July 27, 2017.
For further 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).
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