Officials from the Ministry of Natural Resources are working to ensure tournament anglers follow the Ontario fishing regulations.
Max Wilson of Cambellsport, Wisconsin, pleaded guilty to unlawfully catching and retaining an over-limit of walleye and was fined $5,000.
Isaac Lakich of Richfield, Wisconsin, pleaded guilty to unlawfully catching and retaining an over-limit of walleye and was fined $3,000.
The court heard that on July 28, 2023, Wilson and Lakich were fishing in the National Walleye Tour event held in Sault Ste. Marie, Michigan.
Following the event, an investigation was launched after allegations were made that Wilson and Lakich broke Ontario fishing laws and subsequently won the tournament. The investigation revealed that Wilson caught and retained six walleye from the Ontario waters of the North Channel of Lake Huron, where the limit is four walleye, and that Lakich caught and retained five walleye from the same Ontario waters.
Justice of the Peace Kyle Cachagee heard the case in the Ontario Court of Justice, Sault Ste. Marie on August 7, 2024.
