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QUOTE (Flukes @ Apr 20, 2026 - 11:05 pm)
All very interesting to say the least. All very complicated to figure out as well with each lake being different and species behaving differently when other species are around. The thing that I have never understood is that IF the MNR is always very concerned about invasive species, then why do they close the season on fishing for certain species and have catch/keep limits in lakes where the those species are clearly newly invasive/introduced and really should be wanting to get rid of them as quickly as possible? Why not just let it be a free-for-all for those invasive species? I understand in some cases, there will be an issue with OOS catches of species they really want to protect but there must be some way to allow people to fish for and keep invasive species without greatly increasing catches of the native species. And I would much prefer the MNR not introduce fish from other lakes to help boost a certain lakes' fish populations....just make their habitat better, reduce fishing pressure and let nature do it's job (it will take much longer but IMO, it's the right way to do things and reduces the chances of messing up things even more...not all resource managers get things right; not all fisheries scientists get things right). Less meddling with the fish and nature but more changing what humans are doing (so poorly) is probably the best path to take in the long run. So I guess I would side with Hubbabubba on letting people take as many invasives as they want (unless the fishing harms other native species at the same time and can't be avoided). If round gobies were really, really delicious and big (BTW, I wouldn't recommend eating them for health reasons), I would hope the MNR would not put a limit or season on them if people started targeting them? So why would this species be any different than crappie, pike, bass, etc. that get into lakes where they did not belong? Just because some people really like these species and not round gobies?
Here is a slide from way back in 2009. In zone 17 there were quite a few changes in 2009 and 2010 to the fishing regulations. Changes for muskie, walleye, crappie, (bluegill, which is classified as sunfish in the regulations.) Limits and slot sizes etc. Complicated sometimes as you said, and confusing even. Good example is the different slot size and limit for walleye on Balsam. The MNR does keep the pike season open all year in zone 17 but you make a good point. Why not increase the limit if there is concern for the muskie population, because of the invasive pike. The MNR does not really even consider bluegill and crappie invasive anymore, but rock bass are still considered invasive. LOL. Last year and previous years, not keeping as many walleye and crappie compared to my past totals. Releasing hundreds of walleye and crappie is what I normally do all season. This year maybe keep releasing even more walleye and keep more crappie. I am going to have to think about this and ask some questions to the MNR. Each lake is different, so this makes this complicated again as you said. Anyway, this short example is just to show how complicated it must be for everyone involved, when making changes to regulations. This was back in 2009 so obviously totals have changed a bit. But wondering how much the trends have changed. Is there still a lower percentage of bluegill, perch and crappie in Balsam? Are these fish still bigger and older on average? By my, and friends catches over the years, trends are still the same. Bigger fish with lower fish totals most of the time. That could change this year and the next. It could change the next time out fishing. One thing for sure is, there will have to be more changes made to protect certain species of fish. I would think walleye might be up on the list for a slight slot size change in the next 5 years.
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Good info CM. One of these years going target them through the ice. Problem is i am lazy and the fishing on Nip is so bloody good it's hard to teach an old dog new tricks.
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QUOTE (Species8472 @ Apr 21, 2026 - 07:12 pm)
Good info CM. One of these years going target them through the ice. Problem is i am lazy and the fishing on Nip is so bloody good it's hard to teach an old dog new tricks.
Yes, you have some great lakes to fish up there. Your posts and pictures are awesome. I am being lazy too this spring. New baby in our family, so no fishing for me yet. Too busy doing family stuff.
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QUOTE (crappeeeman @ Apr 22, 2026 - 09:33 pm)
QUOTE (Species8472 @ Apr 21, 2026 - 07:12 pm)
Good info CM. One of these years going target them through the ice. Problem is i am lazy and the fishing on Nip is so bloody good it's hard to teach an old dog new tricks.
Yes, you have some great lakes to fish up there. Your posts and pictures are awesome. I am being lazy too this spring. New baby in our family, so no fishing for me yet. Too busy doing family stuff.
Congrats on the new baby! Grandkid?
Had two of my grandkids over for dinner and trampoline and swing set time this evening.
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QUOTE (Species8472 @ Apr 23, 2026 - 06:54 pm)
QUOTE (crappeeeman @ Apr 22, 2026 - 09:33 pm)
QUOTE (Species8472 @ Apr 21, 2026 - 07:12 pm)
Good info CM. One of these years going target them through the ice. Problem is i am lazy and the fishing on Nip is so bloody good it's hard to teach an old dog new tricks.
Yes, you have some great lakes to fish up there. Your posts and pictures are awesome. I am being lazy too this spring. New baby in our family, so no fishing for me yet. Too busy doing family stuff.
Congrats on the new baby! Grandkid?
Had two of my grandkids over for dinner and trampoline and swing set time this evening.
Thank you sir. It was my neice with the new baby. My sister's children have 13 more children and still counting. Always a full house with everybody there.
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So my .02$. I grew up on Balsam 70’s to 2000. Caught Pikerel, Muskie, big Smallies and perch. My neighbours seemed to go out every night and bring in a stringer of large pickerel all seemed to be 24” and up.
Now not having the cottage there anymore I don’t fish much at night but I’ll do Balsam, Cameron, Pigeon and Sturgeon probably 2 days each every year.
Now lucky if I get one Pickerel and a couple pike out of Balsam each trip, which I promptly remove the Pike. A lot of good I will do now anyway.
haven’t see a perch in years. Haven’t caught a Muskie in close to 20 years mostly as I haven’t targeted them until this past spring I intentionally fished Pigeon for Muskie. No luck but the odd Pickerel.
Skunked on Sturgeon……boo.
Now Cameron. I seem to have better luck catching Pickerel and Pike. Probably only because I have spent as much time on that lake as the other 3 combined in the last 10 years. Now only if they’d relocate the damn boat launch. Had a boat on a trailer get wrapped around the concrete pier in strong current!
Only go to Rice once every couple years but haven’t seen a pickerel out of there in years.
So in my experience the Kawartha fishing has deteriorated in the last 20 years. I put in some hours every season, but not as many as some do.
I have only seen one Crappie come out of Cameron a year ago.
Fishing Kawartha Lakes
Fishing forum for the Kawartha Lakes & Area. Rice Lake, Lake Scugog, Sturgeon Lake, Balsam Lake, Chemong Lake, Buckhorn Lake, Pigeon Lake, Stoney Lake - Fishing Reports, Ice Conditions, walleye, bass, muskie, crappie, perch & more!
Fishing Kawartha Lakes Forum : Fishing Tips, Current Conditions, Fishing Reports & more! Fishing Kawartha Lakes & Area
Crappie yet?
