The Ontario government is Protecting fish populations from illegal angling practices

Fish populations are being protected from illegal angling practices by the government of Ontario.

Newmarket’s Seng Chiong Choo was fined $2,500 after pleading guilty to fishing with extra lines and catching and keeping bass during the closed season. He is also prohibited from fishing in Ontario for a period of two years and from possessing an Ontario fishing license. The Crown received his fishing gear back.

Newmarket resident Bao Yi Dai was fined $1,500 for admitting to catching and keeping bass during the closed season. She is also prohibited from fishing in Ontario for a year and from possessing an Ontario fishing license. The Crown also lost all of her fishing gear.

The court was told that conservation officers saw Choo and Dai ice fishing on a small lake in the Parry Sound District on January 8, 2023. Choo was observed angling through the ice with five lines while the two anglers caught and retained multiple bass. A bucket containing only yellow perch and black crappie was given to the anglers as they were leaving the area for inspection. The anglers had concealed a bag containing nine largemouth bass inside a collapsed portable fish hut upon further examination.

On March 7, 2023, the case was heard remotely by Justice of the Peace Christine Leclair at the Ontario Court of Justice in Parry Sound.