Quinte Fishing

With interest I have been drifting through some of the back waters of this forum. I’ve been fishing these Quinte waters since the late 60s. I have during that time watch the changes of this great fishery. The peak catches of pickerel for me were in the 80s-90s. Then, on the spring openers everyone got fish, and ice fishing everyone got fish. I was wondering just who, you all were gonna lynch. The zebras, gobies, MNR, poachers, farmers, local industry, First Nation folk, immigrants ??
I have spent good $$$ coming back home to fish with my family and friends to get skunked. Pointing fingers is an easy lazy answer. I missed the slot size chat too bad. That is about the only thing the ministry has done that’s worth while so far. All that I mentioned above have a hand in the problem. I have saw those dam gill nets and will destroy them if I see them. They look to be of a modern design not a part of our “Canadian History”. The spearing in the rivers has gone on for generations, and the fishing problem is new. No finger pointing Booo!! I feel though, in light of this reality, the fact is we must all, that’s everyone must be responsible and protect these fisheries for our children and their kids.
Try changing you fishing style and get into those weeds. Lake Scugog for example gets 100 times the fishing pressure than the Quinte does, and is only a fraction of the size. Scugog is choked with weeds. Guys adapt to different fishing technics. Okay the bay is real clear now and weeds grow in 15' not just 8'. I can see deeper than 4' now, so can the fish. I hated that area of the Kawarthas after fishing my home waters. It’s not just simply dragging a crank bait, “a no brainier”. It’s somewhat of a challenge. But I get walleye all the time now. Are you up to it?
I believe there are things changing in my home waters so get on the MNR to get to the bottom of it not the bottom of a coffee pot. Those people have been hosing us for $$. So direct your anger and frustrations toward them. Get the truth out, if feelings are hurt or dollars are lost too dam bad. The quality of the fishery is more important than tears or dollars.
Here’s an idea close the fishery to all. Catch and release only. Not an idea I would like. “Slug”

I've adapted my techniques as a smallmouth fanatic. this year has been unbelievably good to me as far as fishing. sold all my spinning rods and started fly tying, fishing this year, a good floating flyline and some wooly buggers in 1' deep of water in the rivers and I've been going home having caught over 50 - 100 bass in 4 hours. I'm not trying to brag, I'm just saying the fish are there if people are willing to work for them. sometimes a pair of waders can be as good as a boat. don't overlook any water. I hear the same thing from everyone who stops by as I'm fishing, "there's no fish in there, it's too shallow" , hehehe, "oh yeah??!!!!" stick around and see. I think the biggest culprit if anyone wants to point fingers, is pollution. I haven't really seen any poachers around, I've seen the "bucket" people, (who pretty much suck at fishing anyway) couldn't poach if they tried (unless they were fishing without a license). I'm not saying my way of fishing is better than anyone elses, just saying, keep an open mind and try new things. also for anyone who is a catch and release angler, having barbless hooks can do a whole lot for fish survival, and keep those hands out of the gills (unless you're keeping it). people have the right to keep fish they catch, just use good judgement, once in a while is ok, don't have to keep fish all the time (especially with polluted water). but the thing that bugs me most of all, discarded line left behind, that's unacceptable, and stryrofoam worm containers, I don't care how someone fishes, fly, gear, bait, just don't litter. overall, I'd say the anglers in the quinte area, the majority of them are good ethical anglers whether or not they keep their catch. btw, how come more of you aren't wading the moira saturday mornings?? gets kinda lonely out there you know.
chris
(NONelitest fly fisher)

Hi “hoser” Thanks for your reply. It’s great to see you enjoying your innovative fishing style . I’ve heard of guys doing that, smallies on a fly rod. That’s got to be awesome. I hear ya about the shore mess. A “great” free launch was shut down because people would hop out of their boat dump their junk and take a pee in plain view. I can’t understand why someone shut it down.... A lot of people with good reason are unhappy and concerned about the state of the Bay. Walleye in particular. I was hoping to get people talking not poking their fishin buddies in the eye. Most people have a camera when they go fishing or have a pen. If you see something illegal take a picture or write down the boat or vehicle licence #. The Bay is changing whether it’s invaders, cormorants, pollution, poaching, or poor management, people want and deserve to know.
Wet that line hoser. “Slug”

I found this study for anyone who wants to read it, if you fish anywhere in the river, you should read it. I do think big industry is the culprit in our declining fisheries, especially when it's cheaper for companies to pay the fines instead of disposing waste products properly.

http://www.ene.gov.on.ca/envision/techd ... 2intro.htm

hoser. That was a very good read thanks. I didn't know about a lot of that stuff north of Belleville. That creek that comes out of the Picton Harbor other than the part that comes from Macaulay Mt. runs through the grave yard and the "old Picton dump", now a land fill near Delhi park. That can't be good. I remember as a kid fishing in the harbor and the rocks on the shore had a rust colour to them.?? Hepburn Oil had their thing and coal piles there at that time. Last year, or the year before, a spill of some type at Port Hope entered L. Ont. and was killing any thing in it's path. Not much was said, and only after the salmon derby ended. Hummm.
I got mail from a friend who just returned from a lake that is inspires very special memories for me. Elephant Lake. A beaver dam let go and allowed pike, some retard was raising to enter the lake. In turn drastically affecting the bass and muskie population. This is just unacceptable!!! What a waste!!! What are people thinking??? This, Elephant L. thing, I will get to the bottom of!! I apologize to everyone for my anger. tim

that's ok, you're just starting to sound like the guys on all the fly fishing forums though, LOL just kidding, they would hate this board, most of them don't believe in even telling your mother where a good fishing spot is. hehehe I don't know much about macauly mountain except I went there once this summer and it was too windy so we fished off a dock near picton, my wife caught a monster rock bass, nice !!!

I think they tried to stock the little pond at Macaulay's with rainbows. Off topic, ever tobogganed down that hill?? Awesome!! oops another secret out.

Are you talking about elephant L that connects to Baptise L.??? If so that is a shame. Its is an awesome fishery for both the skis and bass. I have caught some hawgs up there over the years. Has the MNR confirmed the pike? They should run a pike derby up there to help round them up. Take them to another lake which already has pike

_________________
Dan Elliot - A bad day on Quinte is better than a good day at work !!!
http://www.quintefishing.com

hi Dan. Yes that's the lake. It was confirmed by a resort owner on the lake. I made the 130km drive dodging falling trees and lightning the other night to find out. I don't yet know at what point, or from what creek the pike entered. I did find it odd, in the MNR sports eating guide there's no mention of muskie or lakers. I know there are lakers in Baptiste and muskie in both. Or was...
This is a portion of an e-mail I received.
"YES IT IS TRUE. the pike are plentiful right now in the lake they are about 7pounds and up to 40 inches. We still have muskie large and small mouth bass and the pickerel are also all doing fine."

There is a little known speckle spot near there I hope it's still okay. I will be drilling a pile of holes there this winter to take a toll on those pike. What a waste...it makes you want to cry. tim