Nip Walleye Opener...ethical or law abiding?

So as of today it would appear the snap election call in Ontario may prevent the government from making the regulation changes to the walleye catch.

Lets assume the changes are necessary for the health of the walleye population - I'm interested to hear if people will take advantage of this political situation and follow the old regs or are some of you considering throwing all fish under 18 inches back in?

I'm not sure exactly how to answer your question. If the rules don't change by opener, I would keep 2 x15inchers...but anything over the 15.75inches would be released...I wouldn't keep a 20+inch fish regardless of rules...my own personal bias for not killing the larger spawners...when rules change, a good 19incher for the pan will be a nice treat once in a while. But those are fewer and father between, especially come the summer months. Luckily that is musky time

We have to follow the rules in place and if we also adhere to the ethics of the coming regulations, we would only be able to keep walleye greater than 23.6, which I would rather not keep anyway.
I'll be following the existing rules only.

I think come opener there will be something on the news and in local news papers about the changes for Nip ,, don't think this will be an eschew IMO ppl were aware of the coming changes was not a secret ,,,

As another post indicated, it is official now:

Zone 11 New Fishing Regulations

The new rules are in effect, all bait shops and outfitters will be letting everyone know the change. I heard the radio stations and local papers will be doing their best to notify ppl of the changes as well.

has any changes been made for native fishing? or does the reg changes only apply to non native?

just my opinion here, but really seems unfair to demolish the existing fishing regs, this will affect all lodge owners hugely in the upcoming years!!! I've been fishing this lake for 10 years plus, really don't care bout keeping fish but just seems crazy that the only fish we are allowed to keep for a fish fry while on holidays will be the good spawners! Equality for all!!!!

You're right about that...I seen and heard it pretty much everywhere I go. Good to see people are getting informed. Even our local Canadian Tire had the news posted.

The Native fishing is regulated by the Nipissing First Nations, the MNR has no say in any Native fishing regulations, they can only at best make recomondations.So yes the reg changes only apply to non native as with all MNR regulations.

The election or current lack of a sitting government does not really affect this, the rule is in effect. It takes an act of government (i.e. vote in the Legislature) to change the Fish and Wildlife Act (the actual law) but it is not required to change a Regulation (rule) written under the Act. The Regulations are under control of the Ministry responsible while the Act is only changed by the Legislature. Clear as mud?

Interesting. I thought the Minister had to issue a variance order...and if the Minister was out knocking on doors may not have seen this as an urgent issue. I guess the Ministry can act without Minister's signature? Cool.

I am not 100% certain but I believe that an Ontario Regulation comes into effect as soon as it is filed with the Registrar of Regulations. Depending on which Ontario Act the Regulation falls under, it may or may not need the Ministers signature...

anyway, long story short, I'm pretty sure you would be charged if you kept a walleye under 46cm's....that's what the MNR is enforcing.

FYI. OPP was on water all weekend checking boats and rightfully so