Michigan man charged for illegally harvesting pike, DNR says

Man harvested more than 87 pounds of fish

(Photo by Warren Little/Getty Images)

MT. FOREST TOWNSHIP, Mich. – A Bay County man was charged for illegally harvesting more than 87 pounds of pike.

According to the Michigan Department of Natural Resources, conservation officers conducted surveillance in Mt. Forest Township after receiving a tip.

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Conservation Officers Mark Papineau and Phil Hudson of the DNR’s Roscommon Customer Service Center led the investigation.

Officers located where the harvesting was taking place and watched the man tend to his illegal net several times before obtaining a search warrant.

District 6 supervisor for the DNR’s Law Enforcement Division, Lt. Jeremy Payne, and conservation officers Chad Foerster and Jill Miller of the Bay City Customer Service Center assisted in getting the warrant and finding the man’s stash of pike.

According to the DNR, all of the fish were illegally netted or speared in violation of Michigan laws.

He was charged with using unlawful devices to take fish and exceeding the limit of pike. He faces up to 90 days in jail, a fine up to $500 for each charge and reimbursement up to $880.

“Our partnership with the public is critical to protecting Michigan’s resources,” Payne said. “We appreciate citizens coming forward with information that can lead to successful investigations.”

Illegal taking of fish or game and damages to Michigan natural resources can be reported to the Report All Poaching line at 800-292-7800.