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Alberta Fish and Wildlife were recently patrolling a section of the river near Longview, which led to three men being arrested and charged.
The Highwood River is closed to sportfishing from Nov. 1 to June 15, and has a bait ban to help protect bull trout and other sensitive species.
While Fish and Wildlife were patrolling the river, they observed three adult men and one youth fishing in a closed area.
They were also using "set" lines, which are typically associated with bait fishing.
As the Fish and Wildlife officers approached, the three men were seen discarding white bags into the river and hiding their gear amongst the rocks, as well as removing the bait from their lines.
This led to the three adults being arrested for obstruction.
The officers were able to recover one bag, which contained blood and fish residue, but other evidence was lost in the current.
The men were arrested and released on appearance notices and are scheduled to appear in the Diamond Valley Court of Justice on June 18.
They are facing multiple charges, including:
• Sportfishing in closed waters
• Use of prohibited bait
• Obstructing a fishery officer
• Fishing without a license
• Improper disposal of waste into a water body
One of those accused also has a previous conviction for exceeding daily catch limits and using prohibited bait.
"Alberta’s fisheries are a shared resource. Please respect seasonal closures, bait bans, and licensing requirements," said Fish and Wildlife in a Facebook post about this incident.
If anyone suspects wildlife or fishery violations, call the 24-hour Report A Poacher line at 1-800-642-3800.
People who call in can remain anonymous and may be eligible for a reward.