SELF SUSTANING, RAINBOWS

Don't know, but 5 years prior to that, numbers were great.....

on the lake there were lots of juvenile smelt

if I recall, this past spring was a cold one, March/ April

think we have to get used to fluctuations

so, we both notice the low numbers of egg eaters...….has me concerned somewhat



still a very good fishery, but all of us need to do more me thinks, in whatever way we can

I am astounded that of several hundred people I have taken out on the lake over the years that come from St. Catharines to the GTA do/did not even know thee were any fish in the lake, especially Salmon

With the exception of a very large push of Shakers in very early October Ive Noticed a decline in the egg eater’s as well

I know there have been some reports of grass carp, i recall one in the grand recently, but, correct me if im wrong, I didn’t think they were a species of asian carp to fret about?

Everything I am reading here and most of it is very well though out just adds weight to my very original point. The individual rivers have to be stocked and not Lake Ontario where they can get lost and end up who knows where.

IMO one of the biggest reason for lower FALL River Steelhead is water temperature. As we all know winter is coming later and later every year it seems. The Steelhead Know this as well. With the exception of a few cold days in Late October and early November it was a relatively warm fall. We’re just starting to see cold temps now (wooooo for Hard Water!!).

I don’t take notes but over the years I have seen the same thing. Lower And lower fall numbers, and the ones that are caught are usually big Ol bucks, as well as lower numbers of shakers. BUT I have also noticed that come the Spring opener the streams I fish are full of shakers and hens. ???

IMO the Steelhead are coming in later than in previous years (this also fluctuates a lot). They are coming in after most Rivers are closed to angling. Which is why we don’t see them. Perhaps they’re waiting for ice? Snow run of ? Extremely cold temps ?

I agree with getting back to Stocking Programs. Centerpin and Float fishing is only gaining in popularity and it’s best to get out in front of the situation instead waiting for something bad to happen. Like no more fish.

Here’s the touchy part.
IMO all Lake O Tribs (Obv with exceptions, Niagara etc.) should be single barbless hooks and all Catch and release. We allllllllllll know that there are a lot of anglers out there that are only keeping fish for their eggs/roe (as well as the meat, but meat is secondary) The amount of slit belly Chrome I see over the course of a fall is disgusting(1 is too many). It shouldn’t happen. Spend the $6 and get the farm raised roe it’s exactly the same !!!!

Quick review
- Numbers are down for sure, but not as bad as it seems IMO. They’re just coming in mid to late winter ??
-Single Barbless hooks for all Lake O Tribs, this literally doesn’t hurt anyone but poachers. Adds some excitement getting them to the bank.
- All Lake O Tribs catch and release.

One other thing, how about a seperate license/Permit for fishing Migratory fish species ? Similar to the Migratory bird license.
This could help pay for some stocking programs. We all know it’s about money.

Anyway my two cents !

I have spent a lot of years fishing Steelhead and many years volunteering and listening to biologists on the subject of a natural reproducing Steelhead fishery and one thing remain constant.

We do not properly protect a fishery based on natural reproduction.
So many factors of weather and water quality and access but we still allow for harvest of Steelhead in spawning waters.

We can’t have open access to take spawning fish if we rely on those fish to procreate for the future and those areas should be protected to protect Steelhead fry. How many fish are ripped off beds not to mention the beds trampled by the unknowing wading fishermen.

Our regs allow for harvest like we stock millions of fish like the US does.

It’s one system or the other IMO.

Either stock and leave the regs as is or rely on natural reproduction and protect those sentiments areas where spawning occurs.

I for one vote for natural reproduction as our fish are amazing specimens who vastly are superior to stalked fish. I just wish for tighter regs to protect the spawning fish.

If you protect the rivers you have to protect the lake in the same way