The Ministry of Natural Resources wants anglers' input on some new proposed fishing regulations for walleye and bass in eastern Ontario.

Mary Garvey is a biologist in the Kemptville district for the MNR.

"We are looking for the public's opinion on proposed regulation changes for walleye and bass in FMZ 18," she said.

The FMZ 18 is the Fisheries Management Zone which is most eastern in the province. Much of it lies within the watersheds of the Crowe, Mississippi, Napanee, Cataraqui, Rideau, Salmon, South Nation and Raisin rivers.

Garvey says that a fisheries management plan is being developed for the zone that will establish clear goals and objectives by describing the type of fishery the MNR wants and identify the steps required to get there.

"The fisheries management zone has worked for a while now on this proposal to change some of the regulations to protect these two types of fish," she said. "But right now, we want input. These regulations aren't proposed until 2013."

The ministry wants to change the bass season to the third Saturday in June (currently the fourth Saturday in June) to Dec. 15 (currently Nov. 30).

According to information supplied by the MNR, the reason behind this is due to the fact that the larger males contribute the most offspring to the population by spawning early and being the best nest guarders. Their offspring grow the biggest and are able to survive better than the offspring of smaller bass that spawn later. If any bass were to be impacted by a fishing season one week earlier, it would be the late spawning bass that contribute few offspring to the population. This season extension would provide additional angling opportunities and improve economic opportunities for business operators.

Extending the bass season into early winter would probably have minimal impact since there are few anglers fishing at that time of the year, states the MNR in a press release. This season extension would provide a limited amount of additional angling opportunities.

"The bass population is abundant," says Garvey. "But the walleye population is a bit lower."

Recommendations by the MNR for the walleye population will be to have a four-fish limit for sport fishing and a two-fish limit for conservation fishing and only harvest walleye between 14 and 18 inches.

With the current regulation of a four-fish limit, with one walleye 18.1 inches, the ministry expects the walleye populations in FMZ 18 will remain at low numbers. Habitat improvements and other non-regulatory programs alone are unlikely to increase walleye populations, the MNR says.

MNR, with the support of the FMZ 18 Advisory Council, has developed a goal for walleye management: "To increase walleye populations and improve future walleye angling and harvesting opportunities."

According to the MNR, recreational fishing in Ontario contributes an estimated $2.5 billion to the provincial economy. Fisheries management planning can help provide increased angling opportunities and associated economic benefits.

Public consultation is an integral part of fisheries management planning that helps ensure Ontario's families can enjoy our natural resources today and in the future.

FMZ's advisory councils provide a broad range of community members with the chance to share local knowledge about fish stocks, water quality, invasive species and habitat loss. With more than 250,000 lakes and countless rivers, Ontario is home to a world-class fishery.

PUBLIC OPEN HOUSE SCHEDULE

To find out more about the proposed regulation changes for bass and walleye in FMZ 18, and to provide your input, please visit ontario.ca/zonecouncils and follow the link to FMZ 18, or attend one of the public open houses which are scheduled for the following locations, from 6 to 9 p.m. at Northbrook Lions Club, March 19, the Carleton Place Legion, March 21 and at the Westport Legion, March 23.