Six plead guilty to overfishing walleye in northern Ontario

COCHRANE — Six men have been convicted of catching too many fish in the Cochrane area last year. 

On Sept. 22, 2023, conservation officers doing aerial enforcement north of Cochrane landed at a fly-in moose camp on Natogami Lake for an inspection. 

Officers found that the group of six had 47 walleye, which is 25 over their legal limit, said the Ministry of Natural Resources and Forestry (MNRF) in a news release. The walleye over the legal limit was seized. 

The case was heard remotely on March 5 by Cochrane Justice of the Peace Jean-Marie Blier.

Mathew Turner of Plainville, Robert Patrick of Roslin, Dennis Christie of Trenton and Keith Turk of Gananoque each pleaded guilty to possession of fish over the legal limit. They were fined $835 each.

James Turner of Frankford pleaded guilty to possession of fish over the legal limit and not wearing the proper hunter orange while hunting. He was fined $1,135.

George Sweanor of Trenton pleaded guilty to possession of fish over the legal limit and not carrying his licence while hunting. He was fined $1,035.

To report a natural resource problem or provide information on unsolved cases, call 1-877-847-7667. Information on unsolved cases is available online here.