FMZ 18 Open House thoughts...
Posted: Tue May 12, 2009 8:07 pm
Did my part tonight by making the trek out to Perth to the FMZ 18 Open House with regards to panfish regulations within the zone....
I prepared myself to present my view in supporting the need for limits on panfish...I did some research of regs in other zones and paid particular attention to regulations south of the border....
Here's my thoughts on the issue at hand.....this isn't meant to be an assault on anyone....just my view and from what I have personally seen....rather than re-type I'll cut and paste my notes...
I fish in the ballpark of 100 days a year recreationally. Throughout each year I'll fish for every species that this area offers. There isn't a fish in this zone that last year I didn't spend at least one day fishing for. I guess what I am trying to illustrate is that I am out there on the water seeing what's going on with the resource and feel that I can speak to its state a little bit.
One thing I am guilty of is spending way too much time on the internet. Internet message boards related to fishing have given me the opportunity to fish virtually everywhere in this province. From james Bay to Lake Erie, Niagara River to Lake Ontario, the Kawarthas Lakes to the Great St. Lawrence River I've fished them all. But where do I prefer to fish?...Zone 18. I've had countless guests from all over come to fish our area and they are all blown away by the quality of the fishing we have here. I'd like it to stay like that! and I think allowing the MNR to manage the resource will allow that to happen.
One trend I am noticing is more and more people are targetting panfish. Whether in spring or thru the ice its popularity is growing. Being an avid ice fisherman Id wager 50% of anglers are now targetting panfish. New age ice fishing electronics and high quality rods and line have turned the angler who sat and watched tip-ups all day into a lake hopping panfish chaser. Why? Because it's fun and a challenge. Our lakes have a great number of quality fish in them. Some of my most enjoyable days last winter were trying out a new lake and finding a school of big bluegill or perch that kept us busy all day.
Do I keep fish for the table? You are darn right I do! My family of 4 keeps our limits of crappie every year. So that's 120 a year. We enjoy a fish fry about once a month and by years end we usually have friends and family over for a big fish fry to eat up what we have left. What I think this shows is that you can easily keep enough fish for plenty of meals and play within a responsible limit to preserve the resource for the future.
Clearly our MNR is underfunded, that is no debate. To give you an idea how badly, like I said I fish 100 plus days a year and have for many years. I've been stopped once by a CO in my life. ONCE! I truly feel for the CO's whos passion to protect our resources is held back by funding.
I personally was thrilled to see as the new regs came out in 08/09 that they had put a limit of panfish. I've seen the pontoon boats loaded with multiple 5 gallon pails and 2 guys in it and filling them daily. Frankly it sickens me. Sure it appears that the lakes can handle it, until when?? stop it now before it's too late.
When this new reg was announced the resort owners pleaded for this limit to be removed so their American clientele would return. Has anyone ever wondered why they come up here to fish our panfish? Because they have basically decimated their panfish fishery down there. New stringent regs have been put in place in NY and PA in attempt to rebuild their populations. Why allow it to happen here?
I don't want to get into an American tourist bashing theme as certainly in these economic times we can't be turning away visitors, but I think a new approach needs to be taken. Promote the great pike and walleye fishery for those who wish to visit in May as well as the panfish fishery that they love so much. The Bass fishing in this zone is unmatched anywhere else in this country in my opinion. Promote that! Facilitating and aiding in the commercial panfish slaughter that goes on is irresponsible and short-sighted.
Notice I said Commercial fishing. There is no way anyone could consume in a year the numbers of fish that are being taken. This isn't about a family up for a weeks vacation in the spring time. If limits were put in place of say 50 per day/ 100 possession that would allow a family of 4 up to 400 fish to take home or as I see it..800 fillets or 16 meals of 50 fillets for the year until they return the follwing year. Plenty in my eyes!
I think what irks me the most about this issue is it is not a fishing issue at all. It is about an abuse of a resource, it has nothing to do with sport or recreation. I'd hazard a guess that this regulation affected a very small % of anglers. The ones who it did effect are the ones flat out abusing the resource.
That's where I stand on it, I really wish I was able to express it to the people who oppose it tonight at the open house....but EVERYONE that was there were for limits being put in place!
Sadly the attendance over the 4 nights has been less than stellar. It was a great opportunity to discuss and ask any questions you may have about our fisheries with the people that know. Several heavy hitters knowledge wise were there tonight in Perth that were just a pleasure to listen to talk about the resource. You realize very quickly how our resource is in the right hands if the higher ups allow the research and science to lead the way.
What the creel surveys show is that our panfish fishery is on the decline. Lake specific information was posted and when its right in front of you it's somewhat disturbing. Overall size of fish and numbers have been decreasing steadily. All this info can be found on the MNR site in regards to creel surveys.
The greatest indicator of what has gone on was a random stop that was conducted at a border crossing last June. In a 3 hour stretch, 55,000 panfish crossed the border. Read it again. 55,000. That was a real eye opener to the MNR and the biologists.
I'll likely get attacked and scoffed at for some of this....that's ok....all I'm repeating is facts. Some may sat "Pfft..it's just sunfish"....what do you think your 5 pound bass eats?...or your 50 inch muskie?...it effects everything.
I believe the process after these open houses is to take it to the Minister for review....let's hope she has the foresight to follow the science and recommendations of people who know. Let's all hope.
RJ
I prepared myself to present my view in supporting the need for limits on panfish...I did some research of regs in other zones and paid particular attention to regulations south of the border....
Here's my thoughts on the issue at hand.....this isn't meant to be an assault on anyone....just my view and from what I have personally seen....rather than re-type I'll cut and paste my notes...
I fish in the ballpark of 100 days a year recreationally. Throughout each year I'll fish for every species that this area offers. There isn't a fish in this zone that last year I didn't spend at least one day fishing for. I guess what I am trying to illustrate is that I am out there on the water seeing what's going on with the resource and feel that I can speak to its state a little bit.
One thing I am guilty of is spending way too much time on the internet. Internet message boards related to fishing have given me the opportunity to fish virtually everywhere in this province. From james Bay to Lake Erie, Niagara River to Lake Ontario, the Kawarthas Lakes to the Great St. Lawrence River I've fished them all. But where do I prefer to fish?...Zone 18. I've had countless guests from all over come to fish our area and they are all blown away by the quality of the fishing we have here. I'd like it to stay like that! and I think allowing the MNR to manage the resource will allow that to happen.
One trend I am noticing is more and more people are targetting panfish. Whether in spring or thru the ice its popularity is growing. Being an avid ice fisherman Id wager 50% of anglers are now targetting panfish. New age ice fishing electronics and high quality rods and line have turned the angler who sat and watched tip-ups all day into a lake hopping panfish chaser. Why? Because it's fun and a challenge. Our lakes have a great number of quality fish in them. Some of my most enjoyable days last winter were trying out a new lake and finding a school of big bluegill or perch that kept us busy all day.
Do I keep fish for the table? You are darn right I do! My family of 4 keeps our limits of crappie every year. So that's 120 a year. We enjoy a fish fry about once a month and by years end we usually have friends and family over for a big fish fry to eat up what we have left. What I think this shows is that you can easily keep enough fish for plenty of meals and play within a responsible limit to preserve the resource for the future.
Clearly our MNR is underfunded, that is no debate. To give you an idea how badly, like I said I fish 100 plus days a year and have for many years. I've been stopped once by a CO in my life. ONCE! I truly feel for the CO's whos passion to protect our resources is held back by funding.
I personally was thrilled to see as the new regs came out in 08/09 that they had put a limit of panfish. I've seen the pontoon boats loaded with multiple 5 gallon pails and 2 guys in it and filling them daily. Frankly it sickens me. Sure it appears that the lakes can handle it, until when?? stop it now before it's too late.
When this new reg was announced the resort owners pleaded for this limit to be removed so their American clientele would return. Has anyone ever wondered why they come up here to fish our panfish? Because they have basically decimated their panfish fishery down there. New stringent regs have been put in place in NY and PA in attempt to rebuild their populations. Why allow it to happen here?
I don't want to get into an American tourist bashing theme as certainly in these economic times we can't be turning away visitors, but I think a new approach needs to be taken. Promote the great pike and walleye fishery for those who wish to visit in May as well as the panfish fishery that they love so much. The Bass fishing in this zone is unmatched anywhere else in this country in my opinion. Promote that! Facilitating and aiding in the commercial panfish slaughter that goes on is irresponsible and short-sighted.
Notice I said Commercial fishing. There is no way anyone could consume in a year the numbers of fish that are being taken. This isn't about a family up for a weeks vacation in the spring time. If limits were put in place of say 50 per day/ 100 possession that would allow a family of 4 up to 400 fish to take home or as I see it..800 fillets or 16 meals of 50 fillets for the year until they return the follwing year. Plenty in my eyes!
I think what irks me the most about this issue is it is not a fishing issue at all. It is about an abuse of a resource, it has nothing to do with sport or recreation. I'd hazard a guess that this regulation affected a very small % of anglers. The ones who it did effect are the ones flat out abusing the resource.
That's where I stand on it, I really wish I was able to express it to the people who oppose it tonight at the open house....but EVERYONE that was there were for limits being put in place!
Sadly the attendance over the 4 nights has been less than stellar. It was a great opportunity to discuss and ask any questions you may have about our fisheries with the people that know. Several heavy hitters knowledge wise were there tonight in Perth that were just a pleasure to listen to talk about the resource. You realize very quickly how our resource is in the right hands if the higher ups allow the research and science to lead the way.
What the creel surveys show is that our panfish fishery is on the decline. Lake specific information was posted and when its right in front of you it's somewhat disturbing. Overall size of fish and numbers have been decreasing steadily. All this info can be found on the MNR site in regards to creel surveys.
The greatest indicator of what has gone on was a random stop that was conducted at a border crossing last June. In a 3 hour stretch, 55,000 panfish crossed the border. Read it again. 55,000. That was a real eye opener to the MNR and the biologists.
I'll likely get attacked and scoffed at for some of this....that's ok....all I'm repeating is facts. Some may sat "Pfft..it's just sunfish"....what do you think your 5 pound bass eats?...or your 50 inch muskie?...it effects everything.
I believe the process after these open houses is to take it to the Minister for review....let's hope she has the foresight to follow the science and recommendations of people who know. Let's all hope.
RJ
We have spoken to some of these guys and they just scoff and say who is going to stop me?