During the May long weekend, the Conservation Officer Service checked more than 500 anglers, but only issued 40 charges and warnings for angling offences and boat safety.
“There were several issues, but overall the compliance rate was good,” said Sgt. Len Butler of the Cariboo Chilcotin COS.
A road check on Highway 20 west of Williams Lake resulted in 75 checks.
“We had a few charges of over limit and no fishing licenses, but for the most part we were very pleased.”
Officers took advantage of the long weekend to visit remote smaller lakes in the 100 Mile House and Williams Lake area, accessing them by quads and powerboat.
“We are investigating one case after we received a complaint that two people had come into a small lake by floatplane,” Butler said. “Some of those lakes are very difficult to get into, so I am glad we made the effort.”
Checks by the COS at the Likely Fishing Derby on Quesnel Lake resulted in very good compliance, he said.
“It was good to see. We’ve been trying to increase our patrols there each year and it has improved.”
Unfortunately, there were two separate incidents of bears being shot illegally near Horsefly, even a sow with cubs, Butler said.
“The number of bear problems has cranked right up and the attractants are a real problem already. Leaving garbage around just results in an increase in the number of bears being killed.”