Conservation officers bust illegal trophy fishing operating in northern Sask.

WATCH: An American cabin owner is facing $14,000 in fines for operating an illegal trophy fishing operation in northern Saskatchewan.

An American cabin owner is facing $14,000 in fines for operating an illegal trophy fishing operation in northern Saskatchewan.

Provincial conservation officers based in Pinehouse Lake became aware of the illegal outfitting operating on the southwest shore of Cree Lake in 2020 and initiated the investigation, which took three years to complete, according to a news release from the Ministry of Justice.

Cree Lake is a sizeable glacial lake that sits about 470 kilometres north of Prince Albert, and 220 kilometres north of Pinehouse Lake.

“With no highway access, most summer anglers and outfitting services can only access this area by float plane,” the ministry said on Thursday.

“Throughout the summer months of 2022 and 2023, officers conducted an investigation to gather evidence to support concerns of unlawful outfitting. This included visits by boat and multiple float plane inspections.”

Following the investigation, an American cabin owner pleaded guilty to one count of operating without an outfitter’s licence. On Dec. 23, 2024, he was issued a $10,000 fine and a $4,000 surcharge in La Ronge Provincial Court.

Cree Lake is recognized as a world-class site for trophy lake trout and northern pike, the province says.

“Cree Lake is visited by anglers from all over the world who use the services of licensed outfitters to catch trophy fish,” the province said in the release.

“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. Unlawful outfitting can also negatively affect Saskatchewan’s fishery resources and populations.”