Doug Ford - Apr 16/20 interview - fishing season, Fishing discussions from the Premier

Interview earlier today with Doug Ford talking amongst other things about fishing season.

Posted here as it was noted as Kenora and he mentioned Northern Ontario.

https://www.895thelake.ca/2020/04/16/130396/?sc_ref=facebook

I’m definitely looking forward to getting out and “throwing a reel in the water”.

I think he is contradicting his own legislation.

Yes....I would call that mixed messaging for sure, but that man amazes me every time

I'm pretty sure that boating in Ontario/Canada is regulated only be federal law. I'm not aware of any provincial legislation that regulates boating (please correct me if you know of any). The OPP do enforcement on the water but they're enforcing federal laws... That being said the province does restrict power boating in provincial parks under relevant parks and conservation area legislation, as one example...

I just think (and wonder) if boating is like aviation - regulated federally. And as with aviation (Transport Canada), any restrictions would have to come from the federal government...

That is of course if you can access the lakes/rivers in the first place. But plenty of access to lakes at least in northern Ontario that aren't "marinas" or private launches. Currently no camping on crown land but access to crown land still permitted.

I think what he says is reasonable if people are still distancing and limiting travel distances per the recommendations.

The OFAH is keeping a good list of closures going:

https://www.ofah.org/covid19closures/

Either way, I'm for the best scenario to help all of us come out of this ok!

There should be zero non-essential travel.
All boat ramps and public facilities are closed.
Public parks are only to be used for 'passing through'.

The mixed messages part was where he was saying fishing is okay if people do it from shore. In compliance with the above messaging (no ramps, no non-essential travel, parks only as throughways for walking), unless you live at the lake and own the property and are already at the property I am not sure how you can comply. Thats the mixed messaging being sent out by Ford.

Boating falls under transport canada.

For myself the answer has been simple from the beginning

Is trailering a boat to any water body to fish essential travel


No it is not

Everyone has to make their own decisions on this

I live quite close to a popular spot on the Notty. I saw 2 cars parked there today. I have been too busy to fish but if I was not I would be tempted to fish there. Maybe essential for my mental health?! At what point does it become unacceptable? 5 km, 10, 15? Hard to draw a firm line.I think 'minimize' works better than 'eliminate'

So, I live 14 minutes from the Niagara and 3 minutes from my boat for lake O...

I am staying put till mid May, but then as so many have said, for my mental well being, I just may hop on my boat and chase some salmon

I have been at home since mid January and really starting to feel it

Not sure how much longer people will stay cooped up in their home. As the warm weather approaches, some may say the hell with it. I’m going fishing. Good thing for me I don’t do much fishing in April on a yearly basis. And I’m already getting the itch to go. I’m hoping they ease some restrictions and open up launches in May if they get things under control.

Hello fellow anglers, I hope you all are healthy. and a special thanks to all the front line workers doing their part


thank you "skippy" for the link to that article. I was wondering if Premier Ford had any opinion on going fishing. I was happy to hear he was all for going; although I think he would be upset at what a saw today as far as fishing and social distancing goes. Don't get me wrong as a person who uses fishing as a mental distraction to help with anxiety and other mental illness,i understand the need of some to go fishing. but after picking up my car from the shop I took the long way home past the one of the spring perch spots, it was packed you would of thought the Orillia perch fest was still on. I want to get out as much as every one but we all need to do our part.. we all should know what 6' is we all carry a stick at least that long. so if my rod tip can touch you or yours touch me someone is to close (note to self; take long center pin rod or salmon rod ).. plus have some sense if the place is crowded go some where else. I must add the crowd was not there for very long at the perch spot when my father drove by only a couple hours later there was only an old couple and one other there. the government hasn't shut down fishing yet but if people don't want to respect the social distance measures while fishing I can see premier Ford changing his mind


to all of those who get out tight lines and be safe
and to all staying at home stay healthy and hope to see you all out there when this is all over its along road ahead but we'll all get through this together

thanks
MedicinalAngler

Today was pretty busy on the roads. I went to go pick my daughter up from work (she is classified essential) and got passed by two lamborghinis (not exactly grocery getters), and three separate packs of motorcycles. At a local ice cream place one group of bikes had stopped and bought a tub because the store isn't selling cones right now and all the guys were passing the tub around (it looked like they had their owns spoons).. Lines everywhere in front of stores, some distanced properly, some not so much. A little bit of sunshine and everyone comes out of the woodwork.