Group: Members
Posts: 11160
Member No.: 118
Joined: February 11, 2011
Some of you may be aware that this has been on the table and in the works for a few years. The latest proposal is a reduction of 5 to possibly 1 rainbow/steelhead.
persoanlly I am more in favour of aligning it with the same numbers as NYS....to make it the same lakewide.
Rationalie behind this move is dramatic reduction of returns in Gananarksa River.
Now before the shore steelheaders jump on board in favor of this initiative, consider the following.
I believe MNR/OFAH has an agenda going on here and it's not about improving the rainbow fishery for lake Onatrio and it's tribs.
it's about reducing rainbow stocking both pysically and removing more hatchery space .............in favour of increasing the atlantic salmon program which has been in the works for well past 20 years and has been a dismall failure. I have nothing against Atlantic salmon, but the current fishery we have is outstanding, so why fix something that ani't broke, to simplify all this.
So far, we have seen Coho reductions in favour of Atlantics as well
Finally, although we do practise C&R with rainbows/steelhead out on the lake. At a certain time of the year..........say form now on till end of August, it's very difficult to do this with any degree of success as the surface temps are now in the 70's and will rise more..........yesterday I saw over 2 dozen small rainbows that were released floating on the surface.....dead. That is a waste. Smaller baots, that can stop and pop out the hooks without netting or taking a photo can or have a better chance of releasing bows at this time of year.
I'd like to get some of your thoughts on this proposal and then give some further information after that input.
Group: Members
Posts: 1110
Member No.: 525
Joined: March 10, 2011
As a shore angler, I fish the Lake Ontario and Georgian Bay rivers every spring and fall and the majority of river fisherman I speak to are in favour of the reduced limit on trout in the lake. Many rivers already have a 2 trout limit.
Group: Newbies
Posts: 194
Member No.: 727
Joined: July 21, 2011
I was out on Lake Ontario yesterday and spotted a mid twenties King lying on his side, trying to catch his breath. It seems that during tournament times, some anglers do not take the time to give the fish a fighting chance and some are just unaware of how important it is to the fishes well being. Personally, the steelhead are a treat to fight and they give the Kings a run for their money. I hope the Atlanics do not take precedence over the jumping steelies. No Steelies this time out only KINGS.
Group: Admin
Posts: 173
Member No.: 1
Joined: February 08, 2011
I agree that the stocking of Atlantic salmon has shown minimal success in re-establishing this native fish to our watersheds. Altantic salmon are very sensitive to environmental stresses, especially the quality of water in the headwaters of rivers where they spawn. Continued development in the moraine and other headwater regions of many of our rivers does not bode well for the re-introduction of the atlantic salmon. More hardy salmonid river spawners like steelhead are more adaptable and can successfully spawn in our current river systems. The MNR mandate as far as I can gather, is to return fish populations to wild states. Hence they will continue to push the Altantic salmon stocking programs. Steelhead have been introduced to offer a sport fishing resource and they have been well accepted. Steelhead are a valuable resource in Ontario and I can't image a spring or fall without a trip to the rivers and an opportunity to hook into these majestic fish. I have yet to hook into an atlantic, but I hear they are good fighters and offer excellent sportfishing opportunities as well. I would be in favour of reducing the steelhead limits to 2 fish, Ontario wide to help maintain these populations. Steelhead stocking is also being reduced, but don't quote me on this, to try and "purify" the genes of the "wild" steelhead population (river born fish) - since I have heard the "wild" steelhead strains are more robust and of better quality. Of course this is only my opinions and my current understanding of the fish populations, someone who fishes more than me, probably has a better take on this whole situation.
Group: Members
Posts: 361
Member No.: 663
Joined: May 03, 2011
I know for certain OFAH has also objected to this new limit change. Mainly because MNR has not shown any reasons for this. They have very little study on why the numbers are down and they are so quick to drop to a 2 fish limit yet NY has a 3 fish limit. The other side of the coin Long shank is this is just pre-emptive as it looks like the end limit would be 1 fish. I know this will kill the charter fishing.
I am against this change after many years of shore fishing and now having a small boat with both having there place and time. I hope they return to a high Salmon and Trout stocking level, as Steelhead were the most sought after fish according to MNR in 2003. Great study information HA HA
I have fished the ganaraska often yet I have wondered why they have not change the current Dam for a more fish friendly pool / fish ladder system. Thus allowing Trout and Salmon an easier access to the spawning beds above.
I also have a question to other fishers has anyone else ever heard of MNR during their stocking just dumping the fingerlings off beaches or pier walls not up in a river where they can properly imprint for the return as adults
Ditch the Altantic Salmon stocking it's been a long time with little return, with a lot of wasted money when a viable fishery has been here and filled many a fishers day with fun and some take home table fare.
Group: Members
Posts: 11160
Member No.: 118
Joined: February 11, 2011
I fully agree with your abservations....except OFAH is jumping like a rabbit on both side. They want the Atlantics because they got some funding to suppor it.
it won't kill the charter industry, just force a change to it.
It will result in killing a large numbe of fish for no reason.
You are bang on with the 1 limit sceanrio.
I try to think ahead for any fishery...and find too often people are willing to accept reductions in the name of conservtion and or C&R.
Why on earth don't we think along another line and get our hatcheries back into full swing/Put more fish into lakes/rivers streams. Do more rehab? BTW.............down my way we have ben penning salmon for 3 years now, and it does appear to amke a differnce. Agin, NYS has been doing this for a much longer tiem and their returns are staggering.
This whole proposal is another political game, with a very hidden agenda.
Group: Members
Posts: 11160
Member No.: 118
Joined: February 11, 2011
I guess I should have done the "poll" thing with this topic.
Another observation for the lake fishery that has bnot been discussed nor clearly identified is the number of bows taken out in open water are primarily NY state fish.
My records (17 years) clearly show roughly a 70/30 mix.
Group: Admin
Posts: 173
Member No.: 1
Joined: February 08, 2011
NY State stocks bows heavily and fishing is good on the south shore. That's why I like to fish Port D. South shore of Lake Erie is also dynamite at the Cat.
They are pening salmon in the eastern basin off picton as well. Remains to be seen if it is a success. Spoke to some MNR guys when I was in Kingston and they told me, eastern basin was a dead-zone a few years ago. They started stocking browns and we have been seeing nice returns. A few bows also being caught and some salmon, so it's slowly making a come back.
If you want to start a Poll, send me your question with the options and I can set it up for you.
Fishing Great Lakes
Fishing forum for the Great Lakes & Area. Fishing Reports, Current Ice Conditions, Fishing Tips, Discussions & More. Featuring Ice Hut Rentals, Accommodations, Bait & Tackle shops, Marinas and Fishing Guides. The best fishing in the Great Lakes!
Fishing the Great Lakes - Fishing Forum : Fishing Tips, Current Conditions, Fishing Reports & more! Fishing the Great Lakes Region
Reduction Limits for Rainbows for lake Ontario
