A northwestern Ontario fishing trip has netted an American man a hefty fine.
The Ministry of Natural Resources and Forestry says Eric Balkenbush of Missouri has been fined $6,500 for possessing an over-limit of fish, packaging in a manner that fish can’t be easily counted or identified, and for allowing fish to spoil.
Court heard that on June 23, 2018, Balkenbush was travelling home from a remote fly-in fishing trip when his vehicle was directed into an Enforcement Check Station about 25 kilometres from the Fort Frances border crossing.
An inspection found four bags of unidentifiable fish filets and there was no ice used to preserve the fish.
Balkenbush was found to be in possession of 16 walleye and nine bass over the legal limit.
He has been banned from fishing and possessing a fishing licence in Ontario for four years.
