According to the investigation, the anglers would catch their daily bag limits of walleye and then return to the lake the same day and unlawfully catch a second limit of walleye. The anglers also used different boat ramps every day to prevent detection by officers. Six individuals visiting from out-of-state were arrested and charged with catching a combined 99 walleye over their legal daily limits.
All six individuals were found guilty on all charges. A judge fined the defendants, ordered them to pay restitution for 99 walleye, and revoked their Ohio fishing licenses for three years. The defendants will also be entered into the Interstate Wildlife Violator’s Compact and could lose fishing rights in 46 other states, according to ODNR.
All fish from the case were forfeited to the state and will be donated to charitable causes.
Each angler was charged and convicted on three counts of exceeding the daily bag limit for Lake Erie walleye:
• Lawrence B. Davis, 61, Sutton, West Virginia
• Jeffrey H. Hamrick, 61, Sutton, West Virginia
• Bernard L. Malone, 67, Fairmont, West Virginia
• Brandon M. Malone, 36, Fairmont, West Virginia
• Darrell A. Shaver, 36, Morgantown, West Virginia
• Keith A. Shaver, 58, Gassaway, West Virginia
The men were asked to pay fines court costs of $4,410 and total restitution of $4,950.
The Division of Wildlife has a tip line where people can call about possible violation of wildlife laws at 1-800-POACHER or they can submit information online at wildohio.gov. All information received by the TIP program will remain confidential.
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