Conservation officers in the northern part of the province conducted a three-year investigation on an American cabin owner who is now facing a hefty fine for operating an illegal outfitting business.
In 2020, Pinehouse Lake conservation officers became aware of an unlawful outfitting operation on the southwest shore of Cree Lake. The location has no highway access, and most summer anglers and outfitters can only access the area by float plane.
Throughout the summer months of 2022 and 2023, officers conducted an investigation to gather evidence to support concerns of unlawful outfitting, which included visits by boat and multiple float plane inspections.
As a result of the investigation, the American owner pleaded guilty to one count of operating “without an outfitter’s licence endorsed for that activity to act as an outfitter”.
On December 23, 2024, he was handed a $10,000 fine, plus a $4,000 surcharge, in La Ronge Provincial Court.
Cree Lake is recognized as a world-class trophy northern pike and lake trout waterbody, visited by anglers from all over the world who use the services of licensed outfitters to catch trophy fish.
Conservation officers stated that when recreational lease holders use private cabins for unlawful outfitting, it negatively impacts provincially licensed outfitters who rely on guiding and outfitting clients for their livelihood and can also negatively affect Saskatchewan’s fishery resources and populations.