The following released by Ontario MNR is only one of the many incidents that they investigate of those who have little respect for the wildlife found in Ontario. Given the very meagrely pathetic fines implemented by the Province, it’s not difficult to see why the incidents continue … and continue to hurt the province’s precious wildlife.
In addition, it seems to take an excessively long time before cases even come before the courts. The case below demonstrates that the incident was charged on on March 2, 2024 but did not come before the courts until November 6, 2025.
It appears that those involved were from an urban centre taking advantage of rural areas.
Four individuals from Southern Ontario were fined a total of $4,250 for multiple offences under the Ontario Fishery Regulations, the Public Lands Act and the Motorized Snow Vehicles Act:
Nicola Mirabelli and Tommaso Mirabelli of North York pleaded guilty to possessing lake trout of a prohibited size and unlawfully depositing material on ice. Both individuals were fined $980.
Andrea Bartucci of North York pleaded guilty to possessing lake trout of a prohibited size, failing to produce evidence of insurance and unlawfully depositing material on ice. He was fined $1,090.
Frank Raimondo of North York pleaded guilty to fishing without a licence, failing to produce evidence of insurance, failing to display a registration number and unlawfully depositing material on ice. He was fined $1,200.
The Ontario Court of Justice heard that on March 2, 2024, conservation officers were conducting a remote snowmobile patrol on Lady Evelyn Lake when they stopped four men who had been fishing on a natural lake trout lake. During the inspection, officers seized eight lake trout, four of which were over the allowed slot size. One individual from the group did not possess a fishing licence but had caught and was in possession of two lake trout.
“Officers then followed the only set of snowmobile tracks to a back lake, where they discovered garbage scattered across the ice. One of the lake trout seized by the officers was missing half of its tail fin. The other half was found among the garbage on the back lake, confirming the group had left the litter. The garbage was subsequently cleaned up.”
What is wrong with people who would do this?
Justice of the Peace Christine C. Leclair heard the case in the Ontario Court of Justice, Haileybury, on November 6, 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.
