Top Bass Tournament Owner Fined and Banned from Tournaments

Ministry of Natural Resources $5,000 Fine and Two-Year Ban for Walleye Tournament Offences 

NEWS December 16, 2013 

An Aurora man has been fined and banned from the organization, financing, promotion and administration of walleye tournaments for a period of two years. Teodore Gallone of Aurora pleaded guilty and was fined $5,000 for failing to comply with the conditions set out in a licence to transport live fish. The court heard that the Town of Bobcaygeon retained Gallone to manage a live release walleye tournament on Sturgeon Lake on June 9 and 10, 2012. 

Ministry of Natural Resources conservation officers conducted an inspection of Gallone’s live release vessel. It revealed that Gallone neither checked nor monitored the water temperature and oxygen levels in the holding tanks during the tournament. Of the 497 walleye caught over the two-day event, 72 died before release, and an unknown number died shortly after. Justice of the Peace Jason Mariasine heard the case in the Ontario Court of Justice, Lindsay, on December 6, 2013. 

Anglers are reminded that live release boats used in competitive fishing events must be licensed to transport the catches of multiple anglers. The licence sets conditions for holding, handling and release that promote the successful live return of fish to the water. To report a natural resources violation, call 1-877-TIPS-MNR (847-7667) toll-free any time or contact your local ministry office during regular business hours. You can also call Crime Stoppers anonymously at 1-800-222-TIPS (8477).

Asian Carp Forum November 8: All are Welcome

You may be aware of the threat to fish and recreational sport fishing in the Great Lakes, particularly Lake Ontario, posed by the possible introduction of Asian Carp. Currently, an electronic barrier at Chicago is keeping these fish from entering Lake Ontario. The threat posed by these fish is significant, and has been the focus of considerable activity on the part of the Canadian, U.S. and Ontario governments.

Please see attached a notice of a public meeting about a public forum on Asian Carp, at which experts from both federal governments, the province, the Ontario Federation of Anglers and Hunters, the Great Lakes Fishery Commission and others will discuss the issues and solutions to this pressing problem. The public is encouraged to attend, particularly all those who value the opportunity to fish in Lake Ontario and surrounding waters, to learn more about what is being done to protect the recreational sport fishery from this potential threat.

The Forum is being held on November 8, 2012, 8:30 –4:30 at the Palais Royale, 1601 Lake Shore Blvd. W., near Sunnyside Park on the Toronto waterfront.

If you are interested in attending, you can pre-register at www.invasivespeciescentre.ca/asiancarp

Catch that Fish!

A New Twist for School Crossing Guard

Someone emailed me this photo. Some say it's from yesterday's
flood in Thunder Bay, Ontario Canada. Looking at the trees and time of year, this
cannot be.  Funny shot none the less.