Nipissing MPP Vic Fedeli has charged that failed oversight and mismanagement by the McGuinty Liberals will be to blame for restrictions imposed on sport fishing on Lake Nipissing.

Fedeli’s remarks were in response to a letter he received from Minister of Natural Resources Michael Gravel dated August 17, where the minister did not rule out imposing restrictions on the fishery, nor did he rule out closure of the North Bay Fish Culture Station.

“It is possible that potential management actions could result in changes to the sport fishing regulations. MNR will need the cooperation of everyone interested in the fishery to reverse the decline,” Gravelle’s letter read.

The letter affirms the lake’s walleye population “is in a stressed state and requires management action.”

“It seems the Liberal government will take the easy way out. They are poised to propose a shorter season, changes to the slot size or other restrictions to sport fishing,” said Fedeli.

“They’ve made their minds up before looking at all the solutions for a situation that was foreseeable and very preventable.”

Fedeli is also concerned that the minister’s letter appears to all but rule out the restocking of spawning size walleye in the lake.

“Stakeholders I’ve met with and talked to say restocking is the way to go, and it has scientifically been shown to be effective elsewhere,” said Fedeli. “The ministry needs to revisit its stance on this.”

Fedeli also noted the cormorant population has been allowed to grow over the last decade.

“The birds now take over 100,000 kilograms of fish – more than four times what sport fisherman draw from Lake Nipissing,” Fedeli added. “Let’s not make any rash decisions until the cause of the stress on the fishery is truly determined.”

http://www.northbaynipissing.com/2012/08/f...-not-ruled-out/