2015 regulations? anyone know?

would hate not to have a taste of walleye........
is there a chance they could close walleye this season????
hope not sure would hate to put dinner back...lol
anyone have a thought??????????

I've heard those nasty rumors and it wouldn't surprise me if it closes. Heres some interesting info from the north bay nuggett the last couple of paragraphs pretty much tell the state of the walleye fishery.


This year's Lake Nipissing walleye harvest is expected to be higher than the safe allowable harvest estimates, according to a Nipissing First Nation public notice issued recently to residents.

According to the notice, safe harvest levels by all users were not maintained last year.

This year's harvest is estimated to be 17,000 kilograms, however it remains unknown what the safe harvest levels are and how much walleye were harvested last year.

Safe harvest levels is one of the topics being discussed during two “urgent” meetings scheduled next week on the future of the Lake Nipissing fishery.

The two-page notice titled The Future of Our Fishery was recently delivered to Nipissing First Nation residents informing them of the July 30 meeting. Residents were advised to contact Clint Couchie, natural resources manager for further information.

Nipissing First Nation couldn't be reached for comment.

There will be two meetings – one for commercial fishers and store owners who rely on the sale of fish on July 28 and a public meeting for the Nipissing First Nation community, which takes place July 30 at the Garden Village Community Centre at 6:30 p.m.

Those attending the meeting will be provided with harvest data collection and information, according to the letter. It will also be an opportunity for residents to voice their concerns and opinions.

“The walleye fishery on Lake Nipissing is currently at a crossroads. As Nipissing people, our community has maintained our right to hunt and fish within our traditional territory in a manner that we have always been accustomed to.”

The notice also states, “the right to harvest in this manner is in serious jeopardy. The future of the walleye fishery rests in the collective hands of Nipissing First Nations members. This is our lake.”

The notice identified two major factors that require the community's serious consideration.

A Nipissing First Nation biologist and two other biologists designed a risk management model last year in an attempt to identify and maintain a recovery level directed at protecting the remaining walleye.

Nipissing First Nation natural resources staff worked alongside Ministry of Natural Resources staff to conduct an annual population assessment last fall.

According to the public notice, the assessment showed that the population of walleye was continuing to decline.

“It was realized that a closer look at the population revealed a disappropriate amount of fish within certain age ranges. There are very few fish left in the lake over five years of age. These are the fish that have the ability to spawn and repopulate the lake,” the notice stated.

“The adult population is severely stressed and there was a low success rate of the 2013 spawn. Very few young of the year were found during the fall assessment.”

The recovery of the walleye population rests in the three- and four-year-old fish, according to the letter.

“Unfortunately, to this point in the season, the data we have collected suggests that the commercial fishery is targeting those fish, specifically in the 300 millimetres to 400 mm range. We are projecting that by the end of the season irreparable damage will have been caused to the walleye stocks in those year classes.”

At least they note that the commercial fishery is targeting the larger spawners. Assume this is the reason for the commercial fishery "suspension" until the spring

“Unfortunately, to this point in the season, the data we have collected suggests that the commercial fishery is targeting those fish, specifically in the 300 millimetres to 400 mm range. We are projecting that by the end of the season irreparable damage will have been caused to the walleye stocks in those year classes.”


It states the commercial fishery is targeting smaller walleye in the 300mm to 400 mm range, thats about 12 to 17 inch, all those juveniles the sport fishing guys must throw back.

I hope that's true. I doubt you can sell those small fillets. If you watch the NFN videos from their site, the walleyes being filleted are larger than that.

FYI. I am very neutral on the commercial fishery subject. I have a home on the lake and have fished it all my life. In my opinion, the fishing has never been better, including walleye. Catching all sizes and lots of them. I read a great article by a local guide on the changing patterns of the fish and how they have moved. Which I agree with.

It's clearly up the NFN to decide the fate of the walleye fishery on Nipissing now.
Cranman is bang on with his comments about changing fish patterns......the biology of the lake is in the process of changing/evolving and the walleye are clearly adapting to the changes. But having fished every area of the lake from the earlier 1970's until now...it's clear the demographics of the walleye population has radically changed over that time frame. In the 1980's during what could be considered (through sample netting surveys) the height of the present day walleye fishery.....older mature fish in the 21" to 29" range were nearly as common as the smaller juvenile fish under 17" in the 4-5 year classes. The entire cross section of year classes from young of the year fish to mature breeders was representative of a completely healthy, naturally reproducing, population that had sustainable commercial harvest numbers still well above today's.
What changed those conditions is up to the OMNR and lake biologists to determine. The fact of the matter is that the NFN has the engrained treaty rights to harvest fish from the lake and determine their own sustainable harvest numbers?
If sample netting continues to determine the last 7 years of non stop changes to the sport fishing regulations is still having 'no' impact on stabilizing walleye numbers.....then there's nothing left to do short of hope that the NFN will take it upon themselves to implement commercial harvesting changes or restrictions.
It's a complex problem that has to take into consideration the rights of commercial fishermen to earn a living and feed their families and the enormous economic impact to the entire area should the population stocks collapse entirely. We can only hope that the NFN will understand the dire importance of their current choices and undertake the necessary 'difficult' decisions that need to be made.

Well said Grumpa.

If you can't keep the walleye, Nipissing has a sweet jumbo perch fishery, Nipissing perch are the best tasting perch in the province as well and fun to catch when you get om them. " Let the Walleye Swim....EAT A PERCH" hahahahaha

I think the boys from Erie, St.Clair and Simcoe might argue that point! lol

I think the boys from Erie, St.Clair and Simcoe might argue that point! lol

The boys can argue it but they be wrong, and I live in Niagara and eat Perch from Erie and Simcoe every winter. For some reason Nipissing Perch and Walleye are great eating, the lake produces the sweetest meat IMO. Not that there is anything wrong with the other areas mentioned.Like I say " Save a Walleye, eat a Perch" hahahahahah