The BC Conservation Officer Service says they handed out more than a dozen fishing violation tickets on Shuswap Lake this past weekend.

Conservation Officer Tanner Beck tells NL News they noticed “multiple violations” while on the water.

“We checked 42 vessels, 89 anglers and wrote a total of 17 violations tickets and 34 warnings for a variety of fisheries related issues,” Beck said.

“There were five fish that were seized for either being too small or people not possessing the correct stamp in order to retain it, or not recording it once they retained it. Lots of prohibited gear, too many lines and no licences [as well].”

Beck says another two men were each fined $700 after they were caught fishing in a closed area of Shuswap Lake near Seymour Arm with prohibited gear and no fishing licenses.

“In the spring, Shuswap Lake has got multiple closures when the fry are emerging from different streams and rivers,” Beck said. “People need to make sure that they are familiar with where these closures start and make sure they’re not fishing in them.”

Beck is urging new and experienced anglers to ensure that they know all of the different regulations that are in place, particularly on Shuswap Lake, which is one of the most highly regulated lakes in the province.

Today #BCCOS Continued patrols on #Shuswaplake Multiple violations were observed including over limits keeping undersized fish and angling with more than one line In total over two days 17 violation tickets and 34 warning were issued as well as 5 fish seized #Salmonarm #Sicamous pic.twitter.com/rGi6Jz33mK

— BC CO Service (@_BCCOS) May 1, 2022