A small fishing derby ended up being an expensive expedition in Ontario for four Manitoba anglers.

The Ontario Ministry of Natural Resources revealed that the four men were fined a total of $5,000 and suspended from fishing in the province for a year after pleading guilty to fishing violations on Shoal Lake, which has a protected walleye population.

The four men were fined $500 each for catching walleye out of season. Two of the men were also fined an additional $1,000 each for keeping two of the fish.

Another man with the group was fined an additional $500 for keeping one of the illegally caught fish.

The court heard that on Aug. 13, 2011, MNR conservation officers checked the four men angling on Shoal Lake.

An investigation revealed that during Aug. 12 and 13, one of the men organized a small fishing derby for the fishing party. That fishing derby included a prize for the biggest walleye.

Unfortunately for the participants of the fishing derby, the lake used for the fishing derby is closed to walleye fishing year-round.

The case was heard in a Kenora courtroom in December, 2011.