MNR conducts border blitz

Three American anglers have been charged with having 28 walleye over the limit following an enforcement blitz on Lake of the Woods.
They have also been charged with angling without a licence, angling with too many lines and importing live baitfish. Their rods, reels, fishing equipment, and power auger have also been seized until the matter is dealt with in court. They also have had to post $1,500 bond to ensure they do appear in court.
They are among six anglers charged and 13 warned for fishing violations during the blitz on lakes near the Minnesota and Manitoba borders on March 15 and 16, 2003. Of the 200 anglers checked, 180 were Canadians and 20 were Americans.
The other charges laid were against:
• one other American who has been charged with importing live baitfish after being checked on Lake of the Woods.
• a Manitoba resident who has been charged with failing to maintain a clear and unobstructed view of ice fishing lines. This person was also checked on Lake of the Woods, and
• a Manitoba resident who has been charged with having too many lake trout after being checked on Wilson Lake.
Six Conservation Officers from Kenora and Fort Frances districts used trucks, snow machines and turbo Beaver aircraft to cover a 250-kilometre area along the Ontario/Minnesota border and the Ontario/Manitoba border. They patrolled Lake of the Woods, High Lake and the Werner Lake area.
The officers also issued warnings to:
• five Ontario residents for failing to produce a licence,
• three Manitoba residents for importing live baitfish and four Ontario residents for possessing live baitfish, and
* a Manitoba resident for allowing his dog to run at large, chasing deer during the closed season.
The charges and warnings were issued under the Ontario Fishery Regulations or the Fish and Wildlife Conservation Act. Officers also issued six warnings to people who were operating snow machines or ATVs without wearing helmets.
These cases will be tried in April 2003.
The public is encouraged to help protect its natural resources by reporting violations to the local MNR office of anonymously to Crime Stoppers at 1-800-222-TIPS (8477).