Ontario Ministry of Health and Long-Term Care

02/20/2026 | Press release | Distributed by Public on 02/20/2026 14:02

Non-Ontario Resident Fined for Illegal Fishing on Lake Erie

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An individual from the United States has been fined $1,700 for the following fishing violations:

John Brooker of Belleville, Michigan, pleaded guilty to fishing without a licence and fishing with extra lines. He was fined a total of $1,700 and is prohibited from possessing an Ontario fishing licence and engaging in any fishing activities in the province for one year.

In addition, twelve walleye and Brooker's fishing gear were seized and forfeited to the Crown.

The Ontario Court of Justice heard that on May 26, 2025, a conservation officer was on marine patrol in Lake Erie near the town of Amherstburg. The officer observed Brooker in a boat fishing with five lines in the water, which is three more than is legally allowed. Upon inspection, Brooker was found to be in possession of 12 walleye and had no valid Ontario fishing licence.

Justice of the Peace Maureen Ryan-Brode heard the case in the Ontario Court of Justice, Windsor, on October 20, 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.

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Ontario Ministry of Health and Long-Term Care published this content on February 20, 2026, and is solely responsible for the information contained herein. Distributed via Public Technologies (PUBT), unedited and unaltered, on February 20, 2026 at 20:02 UTC. If you believe the information included in the content is inaccurate or outdated and requires editing or removal, please contact us at [email protected]