Zone 15 Changes are comming.

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Posted by Rob
11/03/2022 11:42 am
#1

Looks like the Government is finally updating the regs.
Thoughts, opinions... To much, to little, to late?

Overview
https://oodmag.com/feedback-sought-on-proposal-for-fmz-15/

The complete working draft
https://prod-environmental-registry.s3.amazonaws.com/2022-09/FMZ15_Plan_Master_Sept_27_2022_FINAL.pdf




 

 
Posted by captainchaos2000
11/03/2022 7:58 pm
#2

I don’t live in the area and I only fish in Algonquin.  I noticed the proposed decreased catch limits for Brook Trout.  For me as I largely canoe solo, if I’m lucky I might keep one brook trout for supper so the proposed changes don’t affect me any,  Knowing the government if anything the proposed changes are probably too late…in my humble opinion.

 
Posted by scoutergriz
11/04/2022 6:54 am
#3

most of it seems reasonable, but this concerns me- "


  • Put/grow/take walleye stocking will no longer occur in FMZ 15.
  • Rainbow trout, brown trout, or splake will not be stocked into lakes managed as natural lake trout or brook trout populations."
  • that means no replacement of caught fish, and no added genetic diversity

 
Posted by RobW
11/04/2022 10:16 am
#4

I'm not thrilled with the proposal to stop the walleye stocking. I don't see an obvious reason for that. 

The proposal to stop stocking Rainbow and Brown trout is long overdue. Those are non-native species and should not be getting stocked in Ontario. 

I see the logic in the proposal to stop stocking Splake in lakes that are having natural Lake and Brook trout populations as the Splake would compete for habitat and food. While stocking can help support angling pressure, it would conflict with setting proper limits to support the natural populations. 
 

 
Posted by scoutergriz
11/07/2022 8:33 am
#5

RobW wrote:

I'm not thrilled with the proposal to stop the walleye stocking. I don't see an obvious reason for that. 

The proposal to stop stocking Rainbow and Brown trout is long overdue. Those are non-native species and should not be getting stocked in Ontario. 

I see the logic in the proposal to stop stocking Splake in lakes that are having natural Lake and Brook trout populations as the Splake would compete for habitat and food. While stocking can help support angling pressure, it would conflict with setting proper limits to support the natural populations. 
 

I get what you mean but my concern is that by not stocking some common game species, your laker and brookie populations will receive far more fishing pressure. The ideal would be to stock indigenous species to improve the gene pool and alleviate that angler  pressure, but for some reason the Ministry  never seems to do the logical thing....
 

 
Posted by SeekingSolitude
11/10/2022 11:14 pm
#6

captainchaos2000 wrote:

I don’t live in the area and I only fish in Algonquin.  I noticed the proposed decreased catch limits for Brook Trout.  For me as I largely canoe solo, if I’m lucky I might keep one brook trout for supper so the proposed changes don’t affect me any,  Knowing the government if anything the proposed changes are probably too late…in my humble opinion.

 
One or two fish is enough to get a taste of trout. 5 fish per day seemed excessive. All you can eat buffet or taking home that many, I think the fishery is past sustaining that practice.

The minimum size limit will also have an impact on lake trout catches. Again probably a good thing, let the fish breed several times before they are legal keep size.

Last edited by SeekingSolitude (11/10/2022 11:37 pm)

 
Posted by MartinG
11/11/2022 3:20 pm
#7

I'm all for the reduction in keep rates. But I don't know about the minimum size restrictions for Lake Trout.

I may catch the occassional Laker and let it go on a day when I'm travelling. But, I'm not fishing hard and I'm not targeting Lake Trout. For the most part if I catch a Laker I'm keeping it. Catch and release for Lake Trout has a pretty high mortality rate. Having a size minimum means putting back fish that have a good chance of dying. And continuing to fish until I catch one big enough to keep. 

Decrease the limits for sure. I'm just not sure how effective these size restrictions will be.

 
Posted by SeekingSolitude
11/12/2022 11:37 am
#8

Good point about un-intended outcomes with the survival rate of catch & release due to size limit, more fish caught resulting in higher mortality. I too have wondered about being less selective & just keeping the fish I caught, instead of continuing to fish for the one I want (species or size), especially in a fishery that has a lot of fishing pressure.

I really have no idea, just thinking out loud, but I have also wondered if doing something like Manitoba or Quetico, going barbless really has the desired effect? Is it really effective or is it virtue signaling that has un-intended consequences? Namely, the un-intended effect is a fisherman feels more comfortable continuing to fish, catching & releasing more fish & despite lower mortality rate the higher volume of fish caught & released results in total higher number of mortality? As I prefaced, I really don't know, but the thought has crossed my mind...

 
Posted by RobW
11/14/2022 11:39 am
#9

My current understanding on a couple of points:

1) Barbless helps improve survival rates for catch and release by reducing the time spent handling fish and reducing the stress as a result. 

2) I think survival rates for Lakers are closely tied to the season and water temps which in turn affect the depth at which the fish are caught. Early spring trolling a flatline with no extra weight, the fish are getting hooked around 12' deep so they aren't suffering huge pressure differences and if released are going back into water that is still a safe temperature at or just below the surface. In contrast if I'm using lead core in the summer and hooking fish around 24-40' deep then the pressure change coming to the surface is significant and so is the temperature shock. At that time of year I'll plan on keeping whatever I catch, respecting the size limits of course. I'll also most likely be at the cottage which is a stocked Splake lake without a size limit. 
 

 
Posted by swedish pimple
11/14/2022 1:49 pm
#10

lakers brought up from deep water need to be burped before being returned to the water,, by running your finger along the belly to help stabilize the bladder,, 





 
  

 
Posted by ShawnD
11/14/2022 4:37 pm
#11

swedish pimple wrote:

lakers brought up from deep water need to be burped before being returned to the water,, by running your finger along the belly to help stabilize the bladder,,  

Thx Swede didn't know that. Good tip.

Last edited by ShawnD (11/15/2022 2:13 pm)


We do not go to the green woods and crystal waters to rough it, we go to smooth it.
 - George Washington Sears
 
Posted by Lumpy
6/22/2024 5:11 pm
#12

Does anyone know the status of theses changes?
I want to book Kiosk cabin again next year but if opening day changes, I will also book accordingly.

Thanks in advance,
Lumpy


Been humping in Algonquin for over 40 years!
 
Posted by Barbara
6/23/2024 8:08 am
#13

Lumpy wrote:

Does anyone know the status of theses changes?
I want to book Kiosk cabin again next year but if opening day changes, I will also book accordingly.

Thanks in advance,
Lumpy

This is a thread from 2022, so checking the most recent Regs would be the best idea.
https://www.ontario.ca/document/ontario-fishing-regulations-summary

Fishing notices and updates
https://www.ontario.ca/page/fishing-notices-and-updates

Barbara 


Take everything as it comes; the wave passes, deal with the next one.

Tom Thomson, 1877-1917
 
Posted by Moonman
7/18/2024 10:15 am
#14

Most of these changes have been put out there for discussion for two years now…they are definitely coming.

The biggest thing, and in my mind most devastating to anglers, is changing the Laker open season to start third Saturday of May….many of us hit the park at ice out, fishing is good, and no bugs. This will kill a generational tradition…and to say this change is to deter ice fishing is laughable…even in the coldest years no one is venturing onto 2-3 inches of punky, potholed ice in May. This is just to reduce harvest when potentially lots of fish can be caught. I get that for sure but they could just say only one fish per day, say over a certain length, or a slot maybe. So now unless there are also brookies in the lake you target, no fishing rods at all till third week of May. At least they could be honest about it…but nope, it’s all about stopping illegal ice fishing in May lol.

Moonman.

 
Posted by swedish pimple
7/18/2024 10:34 am
#15

how about the native winter fishing, 
    the next chages to show up will be number campsites and the 4 person flat rate interior camping fee.
    gotta make up for lost funding for the late opener ???
 

Last edited by swedish pimple (7/18/2024 10:47 am)

 
Posted by Lenny
7/19/2024 12:18 pm
#16

Not a fan of the late opener either. But can't argue it will prevent hundreds of lake trout in the park from being retained every year. 

 
Posted by MartinG
7/19/2024 12:53 pm
#17

Good news for the fishery!

 


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