Anglers from the United States face a fine of $4,500 for engaging in unlawful fishing activities in northern Ontario.
In a recent case heard remotely in Thunder Bay on March 24, 2025, three American men pleaded guilty to violating Ontario's fishing regulations on Lake Nipigon. The investigation, a joint effort by Ontario and Michigan conservation officers, was triggered by a YouTube video posted by one of the accused, Mathew Bilodeau.
The video provided evidence of the group catching and keeping undersized brook trout during the closed season. Kevin Murray was found guilty of catching and retaining an undersized brook trout out of season and was fined $2,000, with a one-year fishing ban in Ontario. Bilodeau pleaded guilty to angling for brook trout during the closed season and was fined $1,500 but received no fishing ban. Jame Miceli, another member of the group, was fined but also avoided a fishing ban.
The Ontario Ministry of Natural Resources emphasised the importance of adhering to fishing regulations to safeguard Lake Nipigon's trout populations. The ongoing fishing regulations in northwestern Ontario, particularly on Lake Nipigon, prohibit fishing for brook trout during the closed season and restrict possession of live brook trout caught by angling in Lake Nipigon and its tributaries.
The enforcement in this case involved a joint investigation by Ontario and Michigan authorities, demonstrating the ministry's commitment to upholding provincial fishing rules and cooperating with neighbouring jurisdictions. The Ontario Fishery Regulations, 2007, state that no person shall possess live brook trout caught by angling from Lake Nipigon and its tributaries.
Ontario's efforts to protect fish populations like brook trout and walleye include monitoring compliance with these regulations and issuing sanctions to deter illegal fishing, which supports long-term sustainability of fisheries in the region. The ministry encourages reporting of natural resource problems or providing information about unsolved cases via their TIPS line or Crime Stoppers. Information about unsolved cases can also be found on their website.
This enforcement example highlights Ontario's commitment to safeguarding fish populations by upholding provincial fishing rules and cooperating with neighbouring jurisdictions. The violations occurred in northwestern Ontario, specifically on Lake Nipigon, reminding anglers of the importance of adhering to fishing regulations to ensure the long-term health of the region's fish populations.
The YouTube video news exposed the group's violation of Ontario's fishing regulations, specifically targeting sports like angling for brook trout during the closed season on Lake Nipigon. To prevent such occurrences, the Ontario Ministry of Natural Resources actively encourages the public to report natural resource problems or provide information about unsolved cases via their TIPS line, Crime Stoppers, or their website.
