Lead in Fish

[walipro1]

LAST EDITED ON Apr-09-01 AT 11:15AM (CST)[p]I’ve been hearing stories about lead sinkers being put into some fish in 2 tournaments at Spring Valley IL. One in the MWC. And one in a Wat tournament. I heard that a team in the WAT tournament gave some one a fish. This person how received the fish took it home to clean and found the same type of sinker, but of a smaller weight, that where found in the fish at the MWC. Has any one else heard any thing about it?

[pwuebker]

I've been in touch with the folks in Spring Valley.

According to an email I received there was lead in a (emphasis on one) fish from the MWC tournament.

Currently, this is unsubstantiated.

The story is that a biologist for the DNR found a sinker in one of the fish from the tournament. Wildlife Forever takes this extremely seriously. We are currently asking for written substantiation from the biologist.

I suspect there is little forensic evidence and therefore difficult to prove who had the fish. But if the angler could be identified, merely being banned for life from the MWC is not enough. Should it turn out to be one of the winning teams, appropriate measures will be taken. However, proof is required.

I must emphasize that none of this has been substaniated. And until it is, it's simply one of the stories that goes around. And yet, we take it seriously.

What's next? Metal detectors during weigh in?

[Fishnut]

Whoa there, lets not get ahead of ourselves. Although I agree that cheating in a fishing tournament should be severely punished including possible lifetime bannishment, I have to say that may be premature. It is entirely possible that a walleye picked up a sinker or other object from a lake bottom without anyone's help. I personally caught a trout once that had a pop can tab in it's stomach.

[Fuzzy]

I sure hope they get to the bottom of this and soon. If it is true and the offender(s) get away with it then I'm afraid the problem will magnify. Offenders should be charged and banned.
The message has to be crystal clear. Have they cross referenced
the entries in the WAT and MWC and narrowed the list to possible suspects? Sad thing is that most already know who it is.