Fishing in Lake Minnewanka in Banff National Park got a bit expensive for one man who was fined $400 in court for not having a licence and using chemical bait.
James Joshua Kendrick pleaded guilty in Provincial Court in August to fishing without a permit and using chemical attractants, both of which are in violation of the National Parks Act.
Federal Crown prosecutor Anita Szabo told Judge Les Grieve that Kendrick was noticed by wardens patrolling Minnewanka on July 2.
Szabo said wardens were on the south shore when they noticed Kendrick fishing in a boat with another person and they did a permit and tackle check.
“The accused produced an Alberta provincial fishing licence,” Szabo said. “Right on the face of the licence it states it is not valid in national parks.”
She said the wardens also noticed Kendrick was using a chemical attractant as a lure – scented artificial minnows – and one was on the end of his fishing line.
“Fishing in a national park, as you know, is highly regulated,” said the Crown prosecutor. “This (chemical attractant) increases the chance to catch fish and affects fish populations and mortality rates.”
Grieve agreed to the $400 fine – $200 for each charge of contravening the regulations of the National Parks Act. As the judge that handed out a $2,500 fine to a man who swam in the Cave and Basin pool, Grieve told Kendrick it is important to send a message of deterrence to the public for breaking the regulations.
