Some MUST reading!

[Cancatchbass]

I picked up a copy of "Big" Jim's Just Fishing (Spring Edition) at the Carp show.

On page 28 there is an article co-written by Bruce Tufts (one of the top fisheries biologists in Canada).

The article opens with a comment about how there is a lot of information available to properly manage our fisheries. It then goes on to state:

"it's also very frustrating to see how little of this science is actually put into practice to improve our fisheries. A prime example in this area is the lack of appreciation for the biological importance of "big fish".

We had a discussion on this board a while back about the importance of releasing top quality fish of all species. If I remember right, there were more members who felt that larger, older fish had already made their contribution to the gene pool and were fair game for mounting or eating.

Another quote from the article:

One of the main factors drawing anglers from great distances to fish walleye on Quinte is the fact that they have the potential to catch the fish of a lifetime. There are even those who believe that Quinte has the potential to produce some records for this species. At the present time, however, the regulations for this fishery permit anglers to kill one "medium to large" sized (above 25 inches) walleye per day. Many anglers see the folly in this logic and release all of their big fish, but others continue to kill these big walleyes for consumption or mounting because current regulations allow them to do so.

There's a lot more in the article, including some eye-opening graphs and stats on egg production.

Hopefully those members that felt trophy fish were fair game (just because they are legal) will make an effort to get a copy of this article, read it, and learn from it.

CCB

[wolfe]

Thanks for the info, CCB. This confirms what I already believed to be true and is sound advice for a healthy conservation practice. To me, it makes clear sense.

I'm still hoping this season I can put my money where my mouth is and release a trophy fish while getting a quality replica mount done. We'll see...!

W.

[RJ]

Without starting a crap storm here with CCB.....

Does the author mention why the "scientific" information isn't being used by the MNR?...why is this research being done if it's not being used?

I will pick it up....and give it a read....but like everything else.....you have to consider the source of the information and their personal views on the subject....

RJ

[Rocky]

Sort of questions the logic of slot limits, so widely used down here. As always, there are no absolutes in this question.

[Wall-I-Guy]

Without starting a crap storm here with CCB.....

RJ

Well you did it now

He's (CCB) been logged in for 10 minutes and still no post...He must be typing up a doozie

Sorry CCB, couldn't resist

Just can't see getting into this again...myself

[ontariodreaming]

The first quote says about the biological importance. I guess the rest of the article backs it up. The second quote is more dealing with the increased drawing power of large fish. I guess if there is no large fish then there is no fishing pressure and thus more fish.. LOL.... Will be interesed in reading it too...

[Mikey]

I can see where this is headed.......

[g unis]

the unfortunate part is the govermewnt will not even listen to the biologist they have hired.. how unfortunate for someone trained and schooled and being employed in a house of cards. . its all about money and how to grab it.take for instance the western basin walleye stocks of lake erie. this year the seasons closed for months while the commercial fishery rapes walleyes on spawning beds. then to boot a 42 per cent increase in quotas.. its all about the royalties on netted fish. as for the quinte stocks if theres no new proper proposals it to will tank as our goverments stand by and do nothing. im sorry to vent but its up to the sportsmen and women. on the goverment end its the insane running the insane asylum

[saskie]

"Edited by John"

Come on CCB makes a valid point so let's keep on the topic and not make this personal.

CCB does make a valid point. My sole disagreement with him and the article he's referencing is that such statements are specific to a body of water, in this case it sounds like they're referring to BOQ.

I have read articles, studies etc relating to another water body which contradict those findings...however I recognize that the studies I'm referring to are applicable only to the northern sections of the Saskatchewan River, and the section between Hwy 6 and the EB Campbell Dam (formerly Squaw Rapids); basically Tobin and Codette Lakes, and the 30-odd miles of river in between them.

I'm quite confident that should BOQ be subjected to the same amount of study and management as this waterbody, they would eventually find that at some age they cease to be a same factor in the health of the species and can be removed with minimal impact. It would certainly appear that this age (which in practical terms usually is defined by a size, not exactly accurate either, but you can only do so much) should be much higher than it currently is.

[GamblerSteve]

Good call John!

[SkeeterJohn]

That can be a problem saskie.

With so many waters in ontario and so many conditions both natural and imposed by anglers both commercial and recreational not all studies are going to result in direct regualtion changes.

It does raise a point though that if a study is done and the results aren't taken into account what's the point of the study in the first place.

I've heard of studies that have been done by the mnr on global warming and the effects a temperature increase would have on our fisheries.. while this is all great to do shouldn't universities be doing studies like this and more valuable tax dollars go to work on cleaning up our existing waters... Millions of dollars are spent on studies which sound good but do they really help imporve our fisheries.

[saskie]

I'm not suggesting that EVERY body of water should be managed so intensely - that's WAY beyond practical. Not every body of water back home is either. But perhaps the "big-ticket" systems should. Even in Ontario with it's innumerable bodies of water there's only a handful of systems which:
1) Are "big-walleye" waters; AND
2) See enough pressure to that they require more intense management.

Off the top of my head I'm thinking BOQ, LOW, Nipp, Erie and perhaps even the O and Larry. Back home the tourist industry quickly recognized the long-term economic benefit of a sustainable trophy walleye fishery and jumped onboard the management wagon big-time as full-fledged partners. Lord help anyone fragrantly violating the slot-size - the TIP hotline would be ringing off the hook...and your boat suddenly spring a couple leaks or have trouble keeping fuel in the tank

It's that local pressure that has kept walleye management in the fore front long after the purely scientific questions were answered.

[HitmanHill]

I know there are going to be lots of different answers to what we should keep in the way of a trophy fish and what we should be allowed to eat. Isn't this the reason for paying for our fishing license and abidding by the laws of the ministry. I am sure that there are many people who just catch and realease and that is great but there is no way someone that is catching legal size fish and in season fish should be made to feel guilty for abidding by the law. I hope one day I do catch a trophy fish and what I do with it is really my choice, that is the reason I purchased my fishing license. Hopefully the minstry with the money they get from these licenses do keep an eye on the conditions of different species and make the necassary adjustments either by changing the slot limit or restricting the number of fish you are allowed to catch. This should ensure there will be plenty of fishing for everyone for generations to come.

[Cancatchbass]

I ask that everyone please read the article before making any assumptions.

We are not just dealing with Quinte walleye stocks, and please don't assume that the biologists involved, or "Big" Jim for that matter, have some hidden agenda.

Perhaps someone with better typing skills, or even better, quality scanning capabilities (so that the graphs and tables can be shared) can post the entire article so that those who don't have access to Just Fishing can study the article before providing input.

Jim can be contacted at justfishing@ripnet.com for permission to reproduce the article on the site. He feels quite strongly on this subject, as I do, so I suspect there would be no problem getting his approval.

CCB

[John Fleming]

I remember back quite a few years ago when all the walleye seem to have dissapeared from the Bay of Quinte region. Areas such as Desoronto, Big Island, Trenton ect. Just about everywhere in the Prince Edward County wally was no where to be had. However, this is going back about 20 some odd years or more. Now it has become a vertual paradice for them. I have no idea why the species left. Some local's say it was fished out, while others you talk to say poor reproducing areas, not enough forage.

But all in all, I for one am happy to see that anglers are taking steps to preserve this fishery. After all, is it not the big fish that carry the gene pool to reproduce bigger and better fish during the spawn? I have to agree with the saying Limit your catch, but catch your limit. As anglers Pro's and non-Pro alike don't take the steps now to police this paradice once lost, then our future generation of young anglers such as your children and mine will have lost out. They will only hear storys of how great it was.

Its very saddining to find that out. Because of poor policing conservation areas are lost, never to produce again. I feel that the media is like fishing, there are 90% of the fish in 10 % of the water. Who can sell more magazines than the other. I don't want to put anybody in a tizzy fit but there is some good things that regulations do for us. And only through your efforts and your commitment to this great sport that we all enjoy so much. Then and only then can we have a true paradice. We can teach our kids leadreship through examle, for they're the next generation of conservationist. Lets keep the walleye back in the Prince Edward county and its surrounding area. They came back on there own now its up to us to make sure that they stay.