An individual from Southern Ontario has been fined $5,000 for the following fishing violation:
Mykola Bondaruk of Toronto pleaded guilty to possessing 67 bass over the legal limit. He was fined $5,000 and is prohibited from all fishing-related activities in Ontario for one year.
The Ontario Court of Justice heard that on August 21, 2025, conservation officers inspected Bondaruk who had been fishing from a rowboat on Sec Lake in Algonquin Provincial Park, which is located in Fisheries Management Zone 15. The officers’ inspection on the water revealed Bondaruk was in possession of a mix of 38 largemouth and smallmouth bass. At Bondaruk’s waterfront campsite, an additional 35 bass were located in coolers, bags and pans. The sport fishing possession limit for largemouth and smallmouth bass combined in Fisheries Management Zone 15 is six, and Bondaruk was found to be in possession of 73 bass in total.
Justice of the Peace Jennifer L. Grant heard the case in the Ontario Court of Justice, Pembroke, on November 17, 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.
From the Ontario Ministry of Natural Resources
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Fine isn’t stiff enough and should be a minimum of 5 year ban.
That’s ridiculous. I hope his gear was confiscated
This isn’t ignorance of the law, it’s IDGAF of the law
Totally agree with you Doug. I’ve never caught that many in my lifetime.
In this case the fine and year ban do not seem enough of a deterrent. Should either be a longer ban or more severe a fine. Actions like this deplete a fish stock and take away from others enjoyment. Absolutely no need for this kind of ignorance of the law.