MNR News Release. Undersized Musky Costs Angler $1000 and 2 Year Fishing Ban
Fishing Violation Caught on Video Leads to Fine, Ban and Court Order
A Windsor man has been fined $1,000 and is banned from fishing for two years for a fishing violation.
Edmond Parent pleaded guilty to failing to release an under-sized muskellunge (musky) he caught in a way that caused the least harm to the fish. In addition, he is banned from fishing for two years. He cannot possess or associate with anyone possessing any fishing equipment on any body of water or adjacent shoreline.
Court heard that on September 3, 2014, two anglers were fishing on the Detroit River at the mouth of Lake St. Clair near Windsor when they saw an angler in a boat next to them catch an under-sized musky. The individual struck the musky on the head killing it, and then threw the fish back into the water. The anglers captured the incident on video and posted it on YouTube. Conservation officers started investigating after they learned of the video and were able to confirm its authenticity. With the help of the public, officers identified Parent as the person responsible for killing the fish.
The Detroit River is located in Fisheries Management Zone 19, where anglers with a sport fishing licence can catch and keep one musky that is 112 centimetres (44 inches) or more, while anglers with a conservation fishing licence cannot keep any muskies caught.
Justice of the Peace Salma Jafar heard the case in the Ontario Court of Justice, Windsor, on March 4, 2015.
Anglers are reminded that they must immediately release any fish they catch that are illegal to possess, such as fish caught of a prohibited size, during the closed season or in excess of the catch and possession limits. This rule does not apply to invasive species like gobies which should be destroyed.
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 1-877-TIPS-MNR (847-7667) toll-free any time or contact your local ministry’s office during regular business hours. You can also call Crime Stoppers anonymously at 1-800-222-TIPS (8477).
