MNR charges on Rice Lake

http://todaysnorthumberland.ca/2020/10/19/...e-over-weekend/

Terrible job by the reporter to include statements from Randy Crossen, the maniac boat driver that was recently charged for dangerous operation of a boat.

Sound like the same old story, cottagers think they own the water, and recreational users think they own the water.

Now it makes sense what this clown Randy Crossen was doing couple weeks ago

Yes so terrible that illegible fishing is finally dealt with.

What are they fishing for with lights in the water like that? Crappie? That would scare most walleye away. Strange. Never have seen that on Rice before.

Two wrongs don't make for anyone being right...

Be safe out there everyone.

Yes so terrible that illegible fishing is finally dealt with.

Better than someone losing their life.. I dont night fish but its messed up how you can bait deer and bear to attract them to your site in the day time but using lights at night on a boat is an unfair advantage. Not trying to stir the pot but that and 1 walleye over the slot was the biggest charges laid and they interview a moron who endangered peoples lives and want to hear his opinion on the matter. Pathetic.

Yes so terrible that illegible fishing is finally dealt with.

The charges laid are appropriate, and most agree that there should be more enforcement by the mnr.

Fishing in a narrow water channel is not a crime, fishing at night is not a crime, fishing in a crowded area is not a crime, the water is public space and must remain that way.

This article is serving as a mouthpiece for opinion based commentary, the nature in which the group fishing is at the heart of the article.

You are correct!

But if nothing illegal was going on then why where 12 out of 16 boats facing fines? Imagine the MNR where able to get around to the other 20 boats there.

Not sure why you seem to be defending this group of fishermen doing illegal fishing. The end result of this type of fishing is the closing of fishing of species on lakes like Lake Scugog .

Attila is right all the way. I live by the rule, if you see something say something. If I see something unsafe I try to intervene. If I see someone breaking the law, rules regulations, or just being less than polite or courteous...I try to educate them... if that does not work...on the phone to the proper authorities...which I did because of what I saw friday night on sturgeon lake. Three out of five boats had big lights way up in the air. I told one boat owner that this was illegal and to pass this on to his friends...he did not so I made the call. Do the right thing not the wrong thing.The authorities cannot catch everyone. I am sure they are doing their very best. We as the fishing community need to do our best as well. There are many locals that bend or break the regulations as well. It is not just visitors, tourists, or weekend warriors.

So if you had a light on at night above you to illuminate your sitting area in the boat, so you could see what you are doing is not illegal..
Shining lights directly in the water is but in some instances using lights is legal, smelts, lake herring ect..

Great point! I agree
The lights directed down in the water or submerged in the water are illegal if i am reading the rules correctly.

Of course this rule is controversial like a lot of fishing regulations. In US for instance, in many states using light to attract fish is perfectly legal. But this is a topic for another discussion and in no way I am promoting breaking the fishing regulations in your zone.

Well said!

If having the light above you was illegal then all the ice bungalows / fishing huts would be as well..

Yep,

This is what regulations are saying:

It is prohibited:
Use artificial lights to attract fish except when fishing for Rainbow Smelt, Lake Whitefish or Lake Herring (cisco) using a dip net or if the light is part of a lure attached to a line used in angling


Key word here is TO ATTRACT fish.

It's common sense that if you are fishing at night you will have a lamp in your boat to be able to see what you are doing as long as the light is not directed permanently into the water.

If I would get a fine for just having my stern light on and my lamp inside the boat when fishing at night I would definitely fight it.

Again I don't know how the folks on Rice lake were using there lights so i cannot comment on that.