An individual from Northeastern Ontario has been fined a total of $1,500 for the following bait harvesting violations:
Kevin Hodgins of Espanola pleaded guilty to catching leeches for use as bait, using more than one leech trap and using more than one baitfish trap while sport fishing. He was fined a total of $1,500.
The Ontario Court of Justice heard that on May 4, 2025, a conservation officer contacted Hodgins on Panache Lake Road, near the town of Espanola, as he was returning from checking his baitfish and leech traps. A subsequent investigation revealed that Hodgins had set 20 unmarked leech traps and two unmarked baitfish traps. A sport fishing licence only allows the use of one leech trap and one baitfish trap. Hodgins’ leech traps were seized.
Justice of the Peace Lori-Ann Toulouse heard the case in the Ontario Court of Justice, Espanola, on July 24, 2025.
To report a natural resource problem or provide information about an unsolved case, members of the public can call the ministry TIPS line toll free at 1-877-847-7667. You can also call Crime Stoppers anonymously at 1-800-222-TIPS. For more information about unsolved cases, please visit ontario.ca/mnrtips.
