Department of Natural Resources Conservation Officers in West Michigan put some poached fish to a good cause recently by donating 292 pounds of salmon to two women's shelters.

Officer Steve Converse was on foot patrol recently when he encountered a subject wading in the Pine Creek in Manistee County with a spear. The subject was using the spear to illegally take salmon. After spearing the fish, the subject would hand the fish to an accomplice who would fillet them and place them on ice in a cooler.

Converse sought assistance from Officer Sam Koscinski, and together the officers rounded up the poachers and seized the fish. The seizure included 26 fish weighing a total of 292 pounds. The offenders admitted that all the fish were taken by a spear. They were cited for illegally taking salmon. Restitution is statutorily set at $10 per pound and is being sought in addition to county fines and costs.

The seized fish were donated by the officers to two women's shelters in the area. The salmon will be used to help offset food costs for Jericho House in Ludington and the Choices shelter in Manistee. Conservation officers often donate fish and venison to the shelters whenever they can obtain meat of higher quality. This latest donation represents the largest single donation derived from a single case in recent years.

"When we can, we try to donate seized fish and game to individuals in need and charitable organizations in the communities we serve," said DNR Law Enforcement Chief Gary Hagler.

Persons with any information about wildlife or fish violations can contact the DNR's Report All Poaching (RAP) Line at 800-292-7800. Information may be left anonymously.