Men Sentenced For Jefferson County Fish Kill

Channel3000.com


Men To Pay More Than $15,000 In Fines

JEFFERSON, Wis. -- Two western Wisconsin commercial fishermen will lose their fishing licenses for three years and pay fines for a massive fish kill in Jefferson County.

In court, one of the fishermen, Steve Kallenbach, said the incident that happened last fall was a mistake.

"It was just a bad day at the office," Kallenbach said.

Kallenbach and John Bruring pleaded guilty and were convicted for possession of illegal fish. They will pay $15,477.75 each in fines.

The men had a contract with the state to net carp in Lake Koshkonong. But according to court records, the Department of Natural Resources found evidence the two also illegally netted more than 600 game fish near the town of Sumner.

Lawyers for both men said the move was a mistake.

The judge said she was disturbed by their plot to cover up their mistake.

"The intent after the fact is pretty clear -- watching until the warden is gone and then giving the all clear to employees to bury or otherwise dispose of the dead game fish," said Judge Jacqueline Erwin.

The judge said she hopes the incident doesn't further harm the lake.

"These game fish belong to the people of Wisconsin and by not sorting them, many were lost," Erwin said. "The statutes are intended to make a level playing field and to try and husband our resources."

In court both men said it will be difficult for them to come up with the more than $15,000 in fines and penalties, especially without having a fishing license.