Two Leicester men have been fined after fishing illegally on the River Soar.
Wayne Knight and Lester McManus were caught violating angling laws in separate offences about a month apart.
Between them, they have been fined hundreds of pounds, after being bought before Northampton Magistrates earlier this month.
Mr Knight, 44, of Prior William Close, Cosby, Leicester, was fined £220, ordered to pay costs of £135 plus a victim’s surcharge of £34.
He admitted fishing without a licence at Mill on the Soar, Sutton Elms, on February 1 2022.
Mr McManus, 28, of Braunstone Lane, Leicester, was fined £40, ordered to pay costs of £135 plus a victim’s surcharge of £34.
He admitted fishing for freshwater fish during the close season at Aylestone on the River Soar on March 24 2022.
A spokesperson for the Environment Agency, which brought the two cases, said: “Any angler aged 13 or over, fishing on a river, canal or still water needs a licence. The money raised through the sales of rod licences is re-invested back into the sport and illegal fishing undermines the Environment Agency’s efforts to make fishing sustainable.
A 1 day licence costs from just £6 and an annual licence costs from just £30 (concessions available). Junior licences are free for 13 – 16-year-olds.
Anyone with information about illegal fishing activities can contact the Environment Agency incident hotline 24/7 on 0800 80 70 60 or anonymously to Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111.
