Ministry of Natural Resources and Forestry held a road check for anglers and hunters on Saturday, June 15, 2019 just north of Highway 401 in Port Hope.
Officers from Northumberland OPP and Port Hope Police joined MNRF checking vehicles primarily on County Road 28.
Any vehicles that had been fishing was brought into the MTO yard just west of County Road 28, just north of Highway 401 for an inspection.
Conservation Officer Mike Duncan said with the opening of bass season on Saturday officers were primarily looking for anglers.
“We’re checking all anglers coming through looking in particular for transporting live fish and also invasive species.”
Officers did seize a number of live fish throughout the day.
Duncan said some people are aware of the dangers in transporting live fish and invasive species, while others may not be.
“But that’s one of the reasons why we do these types of things. It’s not only to catch and stop it, but also to educate people.”
“When you transport live fish in water, you have no idea what you’re necessarily going to take down the road as far as disease. So these kind of events we are doing today are very important.”
The check point wasn’t as busy as in previous years because of weather, but Duncan said it’s important to educate anglers and let them know MNRF officers are around.
“It’s great to see them,” said William Bateman from Georgetown who was stopped at the check point after fishing for the day.
“There is a lot of people out there, that are breaking the regulations so it’s great to have the officers out here taking a look – we just don’t see them enough.”
“If it’s makes people think twice – there are a lot of people out there that aren’t even carrying (fishing) licenses. It’s good for conservation – it’ good for Ontario.”
Author: Pete Fisher
Has been a photojournalist for over 30-years and have been honoured to win numerous awards for photography and writing over the years. Best selling author for the book Highway of Heroes - True Patriot Love
