More Bad Boys ......

[Lee Borgersen]

    Anglers caught poaching fish in Ely area

(Released August 27, 2015)
 
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A group of anglers from Indiana and Illinois were recently charged with poaching fish near Ely, according to the Minnesota Department of Natural Resources. The case stems from a June investigation, and it marks a busy season for DNR conservation officers who have logged numerous angling violations since the May 9 fishing opener.



June 21 began as a normal day for Anthony Bermel, DNR conservation officer in Babbitt, as he conducted a routine patrol on Twin Lake south of Ely. While checking angling and boating activity, he noted three men either bailing water out or putting water into their live well. He asked them how the fishing was.

“They replied that fishing was good and they had caught their limit,” Bermel said. The men said they had also fished nearby Burntside Lake and Grassy Lake during previous week, but did not specify how many fish they had kept.

Bermel’s investigation eventually led him to the resort cabin of Jim Szutenbach, 48, and Jeremy Szutenbach, 18 (both of Cedar Lake, Indiana), and Daniel Szutenbach, 23, of Channahon, Illinois. A check of the cabin revealed 64 bass, 46 over the possession limit for three anglers. The group also had 71 sunfish, 11 over their legal possession limit. The legal possession limit is six largemouth or smallmouth bass and 20 sunfish per angler.

The number of fish and the restitution value of $1,435 brought a gross misdemeanor charge and seizure of their boat, motor and trailer. Their fishing licenses were also seized.

Earlier this month, the DNR reported that a different group of six Indiana anglers were charged with nearly $3,400 in restitution and fines of about $1,000 for possessing 676 fish over their limit on Upper Cormorant Lake in Becker County. They are scheduled to appear in court Aug. 31.

Anyone witnessing a fish or wildlife violation is encouraged to contact the 24-hour, toll-free Turn In Poachers (TIP) hotline at 800-652-9093. Cell phone users can dial #TIP.

[snow1]

Nothin worse than wildlife pigs...Oh yeah,thieves...,these folks are both.