Long Island Locks - Fishing from the locks?

[rod84]

I heard someone tell me that this spring you can no longer fish from the bottom of the locks, this does not make any sense but has anyone seen this?

[SixStringHack]

Parks Canada has a rule about how close to a lock you can fish, I'm not sure what the distance is but it is probably documented online or at the locks themselves. That rule has been around for quite a while but individual lockmasters may not have cared. With the recent cuts at Parks, there have been quite a few people shuffled around so it is possible that you may be dealing with a new lockmaster who enforces the rules.

[Flooded]

For what it's worth, I've twice stopped by in the last week to fish off the locks. No parks employees around the locks, though I could hear them working away in their yard. I can't imagine that chasing away fishermen is high on their list of priorities. Until such time as I'm officially told otherwise, I'm going to work on the assumption that my tax dollars entitle me to at least a few casts once in awhile.

[RJ]

I highly doubt that would ever happen. Can't see why they'd ever want to stop people from fishing there!

Let us know if you do run into issues fishing there for sure.

RJ

[scarkner]

I believe that this is not enforced until the locks get busy, it's a rule to help prevent interference only.

[rod84]

That is what I was thinking, someone told me there was now a sign saying no fishing, which makes no sense.

[Todd B.]

Techically the MNR regs would imply that fishing off the lower locks would be illegal.

It is illegal to fish within 22.9 m (75 ft.) downstream from the lower entrance to any fishway or canal, obstacle, or any device designed to assist fish around an obstacle.

While one of the Lockmasters that I talked with was familiar with the regulation, they are not enforcement officers. That being said, if the garbage there is anyting like what is left at Black Rapids, I could see where they my have just had enough of it and decided to rid themselves of the the problem, with responsible anglers paying the price for those that just don't care.

[rod84]

I agree with you about the idiots down there.

We ran into a few people who would cast over your line, leave garbage all over the place and use multiple rods per person

So this is not a fishway, or designed to allow fish to get by, rather boats to get by. It is that canal or "obstacle" that would beg the question.

For the number of people that fish right off the wall there do you not think there would be a CO around on occasion?

[mcwalleye]

I love that spot.. amazing for pike.. its true though I find myself picking up other peoples gatbage every time im there..