A Saline man recently paid $1,500 in restitution to the Michigan Game and Fish Protection Fund and lost his fishing license for a period of one year after Department of Natural Resources conservation officers apprehended him and charged him with poaching a lake sturgeon in Clay Township in St. Clair County in October.

Pavel Aileni, 57, of Saline was in possession of a 55-inch lake sturgeon on Oct. 17, which is out of season. A tip from a local angler came in to the DNR's Report All Poaching line that Aileni was in possession of the fish while fishing on the St. Clair River and had placed it in his vehicle. Clay Township police officers assisted Conservation Officer Ken Kovach in apprehending Aileni.

Conservation Officers Kovach and Kris Kiel were able to revive the sturgeon at the scene and release it back in to the St. Clair River. DNR Fisheries Division staff said the fish has a 50-50 chance of surviving the incident.

Aileni pleaded guilty in 72nd District Court in Marine City on Oct. 25, and was sentenced to 90 days probation and to pay $150 in court costs, along with his restitution to the Game and Fish Protection Fund and loss of his fishing license.

Anglers are reminded that harvest season for lake sturgeon on Lake St. Clair and the St. Clair River is July 16 through Sept. 30. To possess a lake sturgeon, it must be between 42 and 50 inches in length. All fish less than 42 inches or greater than 50 inches must be released immediately. A sturgeon tag, which is free of charge and available at all license retailers, is needed to fish for lake sturgeon.

Anyone with information about a violation involving Michigan's natural resources can call the DNR's Report All Poaching (RAP) line at 800-292-7800. Information may be left anonymously. An online form to report violations also is available on the DNR's Web site at www.michigan.gov/dnr under the Law Enforcement menu.