Ontario Fish Stocking Program?

[Xenos]

Why in the last few years have no lakes been stocked with Walleye’s? Even back further it’s only been Calabogie and Lake Dore, but yet Trout are stocked annually ( +1 million in the last 5 years) in many of our lakes.

[Jigs]

I understand that some stocking was done in the Wesport section of the Rideau Lake a few years ago. Whether this was MNR or private club I don't know.

It would be wonderful indeed, if stocking occured in the Rideau from the lake down to Burritts Rapids. Once upon a time there was a viable walleye fishery from Burritts up to and including the Rideau Lakes. I guess someone has decided that its not to be.

Many other lakes in the area could probably hold walleye successfully. Why its' not done is anyone's guess.

Even the good ol Miss. is getting decimated due to overfishing and winter fishing, etc.

Maybe put some in Otter; let them join the millions of rainbow stocked recently.

Regards: Jigs.

[jsdx]

I'm not sure its "no lakes" but it is alot less than trout. Some of the trout numbers seem high because of the great lakes taking so many.

From what I recall in the past few years walleye have been stocked mainly for rehabilitation. The hatcheries in Ontario don't produce many walleye either so they prioritize by urgency (i think).

I seem to recall that Upper Rideau was stocked for rehabilitation and more recently Golden Lake - stocked and the season closed for walleye for 5 years (until 06 i think).

There was a community group running a hatchery stocking Canonto lake and other lakes in the ompah area with help from the MNR...

[saskie]

Somewhat off topic, but I don't agree with the way the slot limits are administered in Ont. Before I get flamed, let me say I fully support the objective of slots, and that I have some experience with them growing up within spitting distance of one of the greatest slot limit success stories in Canada - the Tobin Lake/Saskatchewan River system.

There once walleye stocks were depleted, they imposed a "double slot" minimum size of 14" but also a maximum size of 24" - meaning you could keep 14-23.999" fish, but everything else had to be released. Within a couple years the fishery had recovered enough that the minimum leangth was dropped (not that it mattered much - honestly who keeps 10-12" walleye anyway).

The trick was that the upper slot (which is still more or less in place; you can now keep 1 walleye over 30") protected the prime breeding stock. So each year they replaced the ones caught and kept the year before. Obviously many were caught, but some made it. Once they made it over the 24" mark (apprx 3 seasons) they were virtually protected for the rest of their natural life, ensuring a healthy and succesful spawn every year.

Now Tobin is a world class walleye fishery, 6-10lbers are routine and double digit walleye are caught daily. Plus enough smaller 16-20" shore lunches.

[Xenos]

Jsdx, I’m not talking about lake Ontario. However on that note, all the salmon we catch is actually stocked in the US we don’t even stock salmon. What’s the love with trout? What am I missing? I have the stocking lists for the last 5 years for Kempville and Pembroke. When I say one million plus I mean one million plus in our inland lakes and streams. The Big Redeau alone has had 106,000 lakers stocked, 65,000 into Charleston. 55,000 bows into Otter. Were taking some serious numbers, however the walleye numbers are low. It’s all Trout.

Ok fine the walleye population is pretty much self maintaining. However in some lakes it pretty dam hard to limit out anymore. I would rather them dump 20,000 or so into the Mississippi, and a few other lakes and cut back on the trout.

JMHO

[FireFox]

Im not sure about the walleye stocking programs in this area of Ontario, but in the north-eastern area of the province where I am originally from, there have been a number of lakes that have had walley introduced into them - some have done very well, and some have fizzled. However, the wallye were not hatchery raised - the fish were transported from large, stable populations (Abitibi lake system usually) into the new lake, and the transferred fish were prime breeding stock. Must be awfully expensive I would think. This cross-planting of walleye was mostly happening prior to the early 90's. I have heard that the big difference between trout and walleye (or even bass) in raising them in hatcheries is that they will eat their own and dont like to eat pellet type food.

Here is an article on the web about the walleye stocking - kinda interesting.

http://www.fishontario.com/articles/wal ... ng_debate/

Looks like you guys arent the only ones pining for more walleye stocking initiatives.

Fox.

[Xenos]

Thanks for the link, it's does answer some of my questions.