2021 Walleye Slot Size Recommendation, LNFMP meeting

My two cents. Fishing should not only be for consumption. Of course, it is nice to eat some walleye, it is some sort of reward. But in these times, where you can get whatever you want from stores, even walleye, fishing should be about the experience, being outdoors, enjoying what nature has to offer and relaxing!

I fish for those reasons more than eating fish every time I go out. Some members of my family think otherwise and get frustrated when they have to throw back almost all of the fish they catch. I agree with Fishmagnet and Grumpa... if you want to eat fish, buy some, or if you want to fish to catch and keep more fish, go where regs permit it.

I live in the area and almost only fish Nip. I have seen an improvement in the past years because of the regs that were put in place. I consistently catch more fish and I get to keep one here and there (a total of three this spring/summer). Going out for an evening on Callander Bay and catching 10 to 15 walleye (and add to that some bass, sheephead and perch) is satisfying! Coming home and telling people that the fish are biting and that I had a great evening with my son is priceless. I think it is a mindset that has evolved for a lot of locals.

People coming here should understand that these regs have been put in to improve fish stocks and eventually the fishing experience. If you come from Southern Ontario to fish, you want to catch some. No regs like those that were put in would mean less or no fish and a horrible fishing experience. Obviously, these regs have had an effect on the tourism industry. But, with less or no fish, this industry would have suffered as much if not more (and I have no link to this industry, just common sense).

I think locals have adapted and have a good understanding of the reasons behind these decisions. I am no scientist, but in these days, I think I have more confidence in scientists than anyone else... when it comes to our health AND when it comes to fish stocks. It is not a question of opinion... If regs change, the decisions will be influenced by science mostly and that's fine. Fish stocks are obviously better and we are all better because of that!

Enjoy fishing! Enjoy life!

I consider fishing for fish you cannot harvest unethical. I'm not torturing a living creature just to have 2 minutes of fun. Catch and eat - that's part of the natural order, C&R is not. If a fish population cannot handle harvest then I'll simply not fish for them. Stopped renting bungalows a few years back and not coming back till the lake can sustain harvest.

Would you C&R a deer?

I agree what the fish. It's ridiculous to me that you can go to a lake and catch fish after fish that you cannot keep. Just seems like the only lake where I have to try so hard to not catch walleye that are deemed to scarce to keep. I take back my comment about locals not wanting tourist. I just think if I had a cottage on a lake I probably would enjoy less people around. To clarify Nipissing is the biggest walleye fishery close to southern Ontario besides the great lakes which I consider to be there own unique fishery, which you really can't compare to inland lakes. Also I do not care if I can bring home bags of fish at the end of a trip, I would actually be happy with keeping one fish any size to have a fry while fishing. My statement about not strictly being based on science, referred to all the other factors ex tourism, commercial fishing) If regs were 100% based on science the fishery likely would have been shut down completely at some point. The fact that Nipissing is the only real option for bungulow ice fishing is certainly why the ice hut rentals remain in high demand. Ps. I also love Lake Nipissing and enjoy going there every chance I get,

A male walleye would be mature at 40cm and close to half the female walleye would be mature at 45cm. The 2 over 46cm was to protect the limited number of adults in the population in 2014 from angler harvest.

In essence the two fisheries will be fishing for the same fish in 2022, mature males and yep mature females. In 2021 anglers will continue to harvest mostly females as the girls get larger than the guys of which 50% or more are mature females.

Not a big problem as there are obviously lots of fish coming up in the 40-45cm size classes otherwise there would not have been a proposal to allow 2 from these for 2021.

Personally I prefer perch. My best season ever was Jan to March 2016, couldn't keep two lines in the water.

Gotta agree shank, it is a long time between fall and spring waiting to wet a line. A few days of getting away to fish and see some old friends works for us and couldn't think of a better place to do it than a bungalow on Nipissing.

Gotta agree shank, it is a long time between fall and spring waiting to wet a line. A few days of getting away to fish and see some old friends works for us and couldn't think of a better place to do it than a bungalow on Nipissing.

X3

Just my opinion here....I have been fishing Lake Nip for 50 years...I also have experienced the up and down cycles of the walleye fishery....I have to say that I have noticed a Positive change in both the numbers and the quality of fish in the last five years...we all want the best for the fishery...not just for us, but also for future generations.

not sure I agree. I have been hearing this story for years now about fisher people travelling all the way to nipi but not being able to keep fish for a fry up. we have been ice fishing up there for over 20 years and travel over 300 km to get there. Never thought once about not going because i could have a fishfry or bring a couple home. Nipi is just a great fishery and its a plessure to be able to fish it so often. Want a fishfry, use perch or pike. I will challenge anyone to tell me the difference between pike and walleye when its coated in batter or whatever your taste - my 2 cents!!!

X2 on comments from Longshank....

Last year we went ice fishing for four days and we caught 30 walleye, 28 of them were below the regulation slot size.

Having the slot size And throwing back The Breeders is a good thing

Nip slot is anything over 18.1 inches nothing under. You can keep the breeders

Our group caught just over 40 walleye and we had 3 keepers. Many were between 16 and 17 inches. Hope they avoid the nets and become keepers and breeders

Walleye restrictions have been ramped up gradually for 20 years and only showed modest improvements since the last strict regs were introduced.Not a fan of keeping breeders so I fish for winter perch which amounts to a half dozen times.For years now Seems the majority of Nip walleye stop growing around 17 inches for some reason.

The change in the slot from my understanding is to try to increase the growth rates, the science is showing a stall in growth rate. The walleye do not seem to be growing or growing at a very slow rate once they reach the approx 16"-17" size, by changing the slot more fish in this class will be harvested and perhaps return the stock to a more preferred growth rate. The change is not being made in anyway to boost economic growth for tourism but based on the science of the stalled growth rates of the stock.
The fact that the 10yr management plan has been studied after 5yrs and tweeks need to be made for the health of the fishery is encouraging news that the management of the lakes fishery is being done right. The recommended change in the slot was to take effect in spring 2021, so even if the change is made it will not effect this ice season.I believe more changes will probably take place in the future to keep the fishery in a healthy sustainable environment.

The 2021 fishing regulations are out.....no changes for Lake Nipissing

https://www.ontario.ca/document/ontario-fis...lations-summary