Manitoba angler fined, banned for illegal fishing in Ontario

A Manitoba angler was fined & suspended from fishing in Ontario for a year after being found in possession of 9 walleye & 3 northern pike without a licence.

A Winnipeg man has been convicted and fined for fishing violations in northwestern Ontario.

Michael Friesen of Winnipeg, Man., was fined $2,700 and is suspended from fishing in Ontario for one year.

The Ontario Court of Justice heard that on Aug. 31, 2024, a conservation officer was conducting a fisheries inspection at the Caribou Falls part of the Winnipeg River, north of Kenora.

“Friesen was found in possession of nine walleye and three northern pike,” the Ministry of Natural Resources said in a recent court bulletin.

The ministry also said the Manitoba man did not possess a valid fishing licence and that one of the northern pike and eight of the walleye were of prohibited size for that water body.

Friesen was subsequently convicted of fishing without a licence.

The case was heard remotely in Kenora on Feb. 4 by Justice of the Peace Jennifer A. Neill.

Ministry urges anglers to follow slot size rules

In an accompanying social-media video, Ontario conservation officer Ron Arnold used the case to remind anglers to check local rules before heading out.

“Please refer to the Ontario Fishing Regulation summaries where you will see if the body of water you are fishing on has slot size restrictions and make sure to purchase your license,” he said.

To report a natural resource problem or provide information about an unsolved case, call the ministry TIPS line toll-free at 1-877-847-7667 or contact Crime Stoppers anonymously.

For more information about unsolved cases, click here.

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