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Fishing in the Dark
► by Darren Unreiner
Published in the Winter 2021 edition of the Western Canadian Game Warden magazine, this article is part of their “Take Down Tales” series. A reminder: know and respect the fishing and hunting regulations—it’s important.
On the evening of September 19, 2019, fish and wildlife officers were en route to deal with a wildlife investigation.
While driving, officers located a parked vehicle at a bridge crossing on Range Road 22 at Tide Creek, located north of Pigeon Lake, Alberta. Tide Creek is a tributary waterbody to Pigeon Lake and zero walleye can be retained unless an angler has special walleye harvest license/tags.
A fisheries compliance check was conducted with the subjects in the vehicle. The parked SUV had three occupants inside the vehicle who were from the local and Edmonton area. The two male occupants stated they were fishing in Tide Creek but kept no walleye.
Officers asked if any fish were inside the parked vehicle, and once again the Edmonton men stated that "No fish were kept as they were catching and releasing fish only."
An inspection of the vehicle revealed a yellow and red cooler near the back storage area of the SUV beside all the fishing equipment. An inspection of the cooler revealed three fresh walleye. All the occupants were informed they were under arrest for unlawful possession of fish. A search of the vehicle recovered two firearms and a small amount of open liquor.
The Edmonton man stated the three walleye were his and took full responsibility for them. He claimed that he had walleye tags for the fish and produced a 2018 special walleye harvest tag that was used. He then stated his tags were at home as he may have forgotten them. Officers advised the man of obstruction and it was in his best interest to be upfront and honest. The subject now stated that he
is fully aware of the special walleye tags for Pigeon Lake. He had Class B walleye tags for the 2019 season, but he has already used them all. He lived about five miles north of Tide Creek and decided to come fishing tonight with friends and keep a few walleye.
The Edmonton man was issued an Appearance Notice for his infractions and his rod, reel, cooler, and three walleye were seized. On January 7, 2020, the accused pled guilty in Wetaskiwin court to retaining fish without a special fish harvest license and providing false information. He was fined $2,000 and received a one-year recreational fishing license suspension.
