Dawson Cooney, of Bancroft, pleaded guilty to unlawfully using live baitfish under the Ontario Fishery Regulations and was fined $3,000. Three brook trout were seized and forfeited to the Crown.
The court heard that on April 27, 2019, a conservation officer was patrolling Algonquin Provincial Park targeting natural trout lakes.
The officer contacted Cooney while angling through the ice on one of those lakes. Upon inspection, it was determined that Cooney was using live baitfish as bait. Justice of the Peace Serge Legault heard the case in the Ontario Court of Justice on December 10, 2021.
The use of live baitfish has been prohibited in Algonquin Park since 1974 to prevent the spread of invasive species and disease and protect important fish species such as natural brook trout. The introduction of a single non-native/invasive species can disrupt an entire watershed, and the impacts are irreversible.
Conservation officers remind everyone that by respecting seasons, sanctuaries, bag and possession limits, we all help ensure our natural resources stay healthy. 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/mnrftips.
