Three men slapped with hefty fines for spearing walleye

Three men were fined a total of $7,605 for spearing walleye, obstructing a fisheries officer, abandoning fish, possessing walleye out of season and possessing a spear at night within 30 metres of the water’s edge, according to a news release issued by Ontario's Ministry of Natural Resources and Forestry.

Two of the men were also suspended from fishing and had equipment forfeited to the Crown.

Court heard that on April 29, 2023, conservation officers were conducting surveillance near the town of Azilda, outside Sudbury, in response to public complaints of people spearing spawning walleye during the closed season.

Early that morning, officers observed Patrick Moroso and Aiden Joly in the water with spears and spearing large walleye during the spawn. All walleye successfully speared were observed to be brought onto shore to Jack Horsfall, who was aiding in spotlighting the speared walleye.

Walleye that were injured during the spearing and managed to release themselves from the spear barbs floated downriver and no attempt to recover them was made. When officers contacted the individuals, Aiden Joly obstructed the officers by throwing evidence into the river and fleeing the scene.

Patrick Moroso of Sudbury pleaded guilty to possessing fish caught in contravention of Ontario Fishery Regulations under the Fisheries Act, abandoning fish suitable for food, fishing by means other than angling, and possessing a spear for fishing. He was fined a total of $2,469, suspended from fishing for a total of two years and the fish and spear were forfeited to the Crown.

Aiden Joly of Val Caron pleaded guilty to possessing fish caught in contravention of Ontario Fishery Regulations under the Fisheries Act, obstructing a fisheries officer, fishing by means other than angling, and possessing a spear for fishing. He was fined a total of $2,469, suspended from fishing for two years and the fish and spear were forfeited to the Crown.

Jack Horsfall of Garson pleaded guilty to possessing fish caught in contravention of the Ontario Fishery Regulations under the Fisheries Act, fishing by means other than angling and unlawfully using artificial light to attract fish. He was fined a total of $2,667 and the fish were forfeited to the Crown.

Justice of the Peace Lori-Ann Toulouse heard the case in the Ontario Court of Justice, Sudbury, on Sept. 11, 2023.