pc154 wrote:
If it is city owned property, the city can post it "no fishing" and then it would fall under the Trespass to Property Act and a charge could be laid.
You could also be charged with "trespassing to hunt/fish" under the Fish and Wildlife Conservation Act which has a bigger penalty.
This is bang on and thanks for posting.
The city would have to either enact a bylaw or already have one on the books that stated fishing on the breakwall, pier, dock, etc is in contravention.
Now some municipal officials, commissioners could post signs that say fishing is not allowed but without a corresponding bylaw enacted and approved by council, the signs don't mean anything.
You will find this type of thing happening where someone doesn't want people parking along their street and they will put up their own no parking signs. It scares some people off and that might be the desired effect but you can probably park there and not be issued a ticket.
Generally, the city will post a bylaw number on the sign in fine print although some don't.
If you see that number, you are almost guaranteed that the activity is in contravention and you are risking being confronted by authorities.