Talking with a conservation officer

[ipjrobson]

I had a conversation with a conservation officer the other day.

I asked him a ton of questions. I thought I would share this with you guys. I hope it helps some people understand some of the rules.

I've asked RJ to post and he is ok with me posting it.

Here's the video.


The thing that surprised me was about perch, so I double checked with the MNR and this is the response I got.

"Live perch may not be used as bait anywhere in Ontario as they are not one of the species if baitfish identified in Part 2 of Schedule 1 of the Ontario Fishery Regulations, 2017.

However, the use of dead fish or fish parts as bait for angling is allowed as long as:

-they have been obtained in a legal manner (e.g. are not from a specially protected species, meet requirements regarding size or quota, etc.);
-there is no specific water body prohibition against their use (e.g. in some lakes/rivers the use of fish or fish parts as bait is banned); and
-fish flesh is not wasted (allowed to become unsuitable for human consumption) for the express purpose of obtaining the fish or fish parts to be used as bait (note that bellies, fins and eyes are not usually consumed by humans)."


Again hope it helps.

[ShawnD]

Very informative, thanks for posting

[Wallyboss]

The comment about the fish parts is really interesting. That means that using a walleye fish part would be authorized!! When I was a young lad somebody told me about the walleye butterfly!! Which is a small v-shaped part of skin that is right under the lowerjaw of the walleye. I had used that multiple times and it was a great bait on a jig. After a few years of using somebody else had told me that it was illegal so I never used one again. I am pretty sure that any fish parts are not allowed in Quebec.

[RJ]

I really appreciate you asking permission to post the video, classy move.

It's the same chats I've had from time to time but it's great to have a bunch of questions answered.

I do question the using dead perch as bait part though...

RJ

[Wally]

So does that mean using fish eyes for bait is legal.

[ipjrobson]

I really appreciate you asking permission to post the video, classy move.

It's the same chats I've had from time to time but it's great to have a bunch of questions answered.

I do question the using dead perch as bait part though...

RJ

I'm happy you appreciated asking permission first.

In terms of using perch, I was a bit skeptical that's why I double checked with the MNR and also why I included their response in the post.

[ipjrobson]

The comment about the fish parts is really interesting. That means that using a walleye fish part would be authorized!! When I was a young lad somebody told me about the walleye butterfly!! Which is a small v-shaped part of skin that is right under the lowerjaw of the walleye. I had used that multiple times and it was a great bait on a jig. After a few years of using somebody else had told me that it was illegal so I never used one again. I am pretty sure that any fish parts are not allowed in Quebec.

It seemed like the big thing was the non-edible parts could be used as bait but not edible parts.

Yeah in Quebec live bait and deadbait is illegal as far as I know. I would double check though as always.

[Wallyboss]

I meant they were not legal in Quebec even before the live minnow ban. And that walleye butterfly that I am talking about is usually not eaten.

[WhitESOX]

Solidly informative vid, thanks for sharing.

[Tweed]

Thanks for posting the video. Good to know.

[CBB]

Very informative video and thanks for sharing it us.

[Wallyboss]

Here's the butterfly (circled in black) of what I used to use as a jig trailer. It is a really though meaty piece so it'll last a full day.

[brent86]

whereabouts are you fishing? It seems like an awkward place for COs to be patrolling - side of hwy...

[ipjrobson]

whereabouts are you fishing? It seems like an awkward place for COs to be patrolling - side of hwy...

It was just beside Riverside Dr