New fishing rules coming

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Posted 2 months ago

KAWARTHA LAKES-New rules about fishing in the City of Kawartha Lakes, Peterborough, Durham Region and Northumberland County will come into effect on Jan. 1, 2010.

The revised regulations in Fisheries Management Zone 17 will include:

* Year round fishing for northern pike, yellow perch, crappie and sunfish;

* Extended fall fishing season to Dec. 15 for bass and muskellunge;

* Stricter limits for walleye, to protect declining populations;

* New sunfish limits, to maintain healthy populations.

These changes are based on the Fisheries Management Zone 17 Advisory Council's recommendations, public input and scientific research.

The 2010 Fishing Regulations Summary that covers all of Ontario will be available by Jan. 1 at licence issuers, Service Ontario/Government Information Centres and online at ontario.ca/fishing.

"We're working to ensure fish populations remain sustainable and continue to provide angling opportunities for years to come. I am pleased that new ice fishing seasons and extended fall angling will offer additional year-round opportunities for anglers in the Kawartha Lakes area," Donna Cansfield, Minister of Natural Resources, said in a press release.

The lakes and rivers of Zone 17 are the second most fished areas in the province, exceeded only by the Great Lakes.

The Kawartha Lakes and surrounding waters within Fisheries Management Zone 17 will no doubt benefit from the new recreational fishing opportunities, the Ontario Federation of Anglers and Hunters (OFAH) said in a press release.

"Not only is a winter season in FMZ 17 great news for recreational anglers, it also provides economic opportunities for the communities surrounding these lakes," said Mike Reader, OFAH executive director. "Ice fishing is a great way to introduce new anglers and children to the joys of fishing, and to the outdoors. A winter season in the Kawartha Lakes is something that the OFAH has been working toward for several years now. We're pleased that the MNR took the advice of the FMZ Advisory Council to move forward with these changes."

Under the new regulations, dozens of area lakes, including such popular angling destinations as Sturgeon, Balsam, Buckhorn, Chemong, and Rice Lake, will see winter fishing seasons for bluegill, yellow perch and black crappie.

Walleye seasons will remain closed during the winter in FMZ 17 with the exception of where they previously existed on Lake Scugog, Crowe Lake and the lower Trent River.