MNR charges on Rice Lake

Scroll through the pictures in the article. Pretty easy to see that the lights aren't there just for seeing your tackle.

I first did not notice there were other pics in that article only the front one.
When I looked at the other pics I do agree that it appears that the lights are very bright and directed into the water to attract fish.

When did that type of fishing start at Rice Lake? I have night fished around Tick and the mouth of the river a long time and never have seen that.. Of course, being from the US, did not get to go this week, but that is crazy.

Yep,

This is what regulations are saying:

It is prohibited:
Use artificial lights to attract fish except when fishing for Rainbow Smelt, Lake Whitefish or Lake Herring (cisco) using a dip net or if the light is part of a lure attached to a line used in angling


Key word here is TO ATTRACT fish.

It's common sense that if you are fishing at night you will have a lamp in your boat to be able to see what you are doing as long as the light is not directed permanently into the water.

If I would get a fine for just having my stern light on and my lamp inside the boat when fishing at night I would definitely fight it.

Again I don't know how the folks on Rice lake were using there lights so i cannot comment on that.

So it's illegal in general or just to target those specific fish? Seems weird to me. Idk what counts as using a light to attract a fish though, I'm pretty sure everybody uses lamps when ice fishing for Crappie.

You are correct!

But if nothing illegal was going on then why where 12 out of 16 boats facing fines? Imagine the MNR where able to get around to the other 20 boats there.

Not sure why you seem to be defending this group of fishermen doing illegal fishing. The end result of this type of fishing is the closing of fishing of species on lakes like Lake Scugog .

I am not defending them. I am happy that MNR has enforced the regulations. I just don't feel there is any more to the story beyond opinion.

I am curious, what species of fish would be attracted to bright lights in the water at Rice Lake? I would never do this and do not enjoy fishing when it is dark out, just curious.

So the reason you may not use a light other than inside the boat for safety, while you are in the act of fishing is that. Many lights with colour or lights that cast an indirect glow over the fishing area attract aquatic life. Such as minnows, crayfish, frogs, bugs in the water as well as in the air. Light also attract some species of fish which in turn would attract more fish that might eat those fish.....therefore making it easier for the fisherman to catch more fish. So some fish do not like the light but they sure like the bait the light attracts and will sit at the end of the lights range or come inside the perimeter of the light to feed. Again making it easier to catch more fish. Some people like to break or bend the rules as much as possible. If everyone would just follow the regulations we would not have to talk about this at all. But nothing in life is simple....not even fishing anymore. I do enjoy the dialogue on this sight, you all make valid points. It is a tough question. Just like the slot size...I think it should be gone and the limit should be only two walleye and as for crappie only twenty with a minimum size of ten or eleven inches. But we were talking about lights were we not...ha...ha stay safe cold out there.

[/QUOTE]
So it's illegal in general or just to target those specific fish? Seems weird to me. Idk what counts as using a light to attract a fish though, I'm pretty sure everybody uses lamps when ice fishing for Crappie.[/QUOTE]

Read the wording of the Reg. It is only legal to use a light for those species. All other
instances, when used as an attractant, it is illegal[COLOR=blue]

Nice to know MNR is taking action. I found this kind of LIGHT fishing since 2000, mostly happen in spring and fall, this kind of LIGHT fisherman is target on Crappie. Also some is using two rods with light bobber set up.

I think light up bobbers are fine but not 2 rods (depending on the lake). For ice fishing 2 lines are allowed on most lakes.

hmmm


makes you wonder why it's okay to use lures with glowsticks in them

Tie a firefly to your lure.

It's pretty clear that the lights were being used to attract fish which is illegal. No need to analyze the Regs. I have been fishing at night for my whole life and always have a light in the boat to see along with Nav lights. Not once has anyone or have I thought myself that this is a problem. There is a big difference to what I see in the pictures and common sense applies.

I would also add to Attila's comment that this is a "3 wrongs don't make a right" situation.

Illegal fishing with lights
MNR not cracking down when the issue was reported by concerned citizens.
Vigilante action due to the inaction by the MNR.

I really get discouraged when I read reports of this type of abuse. I follow the Regs as a guideline to protecting the fishery, not because I am afraid of a fine. I was taught by my Dad to enjoy fishing, harvest what you need and release what you don't. Back in the day it was (Let the big ones go so they can reproduce)

Hopefully the charges stick and attention has been drawn to the issue.

Article now in Global News, 51 charges laid

https://globalnews.ca/news/7446488/rice-lak...-night-fishing/

Maybe a stupid question but if using lights this way is illegal then why can you use a flasher when ice fishing?

I have not done either and am just curious.

Neil