Ontario Protecting the Province’s Aquatic Biodiversity

Press Release

The Ontario government is safeguarding Ontario’s biodiversity by ensuring commercial bait dealers and harvesters are licensed and in compliance with regulations.

Neil Bernier of Bergland, was convicted for selling baitfish and leeches without a licence for commercial purposes, unlawfully taking baitfish for commercial purposes, fishing without a licence, commercially selling walleye, possessing an overlimit of walleye and packaging fish in a manner that species and number cannot be readily counted. He was fined $15,870 and given a three-year fishing and baitfish licensing suspension.

The court heard that between 2019 and 2021, in response to public complaints, Fort Frances conservation officers, with the assistance of the Intelligence and Investigation Services unit, investigated the illegal commercial harvest and sale of baitfish, and the illegal sale of walleye. During the investigation, Neil Bernier was seen illegally harvesting baitfish at the Morson government dock without a licence on multiple occasions. Bernier also unlawfully sold baitfish, leeches and walleye to officers without proper authority.

Justice of the Peace Jerry Woods heard the case in the Ontario Court of Justice, Fort Frances, on June 11 and 12, 2024.

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.