Has anyone ever considered proposing a special "catch and release" season extension for the Bay? There is some precedent for this based on science. On Canada's east coast, the fall season for Atlantic salmon was extended for an additional two weeks (Miramichi River in the 1990's) on a "catch and release only" basis after studies were done to show that this did not affect subsequent spawning success.
Since walleye on Quinte don't spawn until April, why not propose a "catch and release only" extension to the season until something like Mid March (15th)? In a year like this, when the ice is still good, this would add an additional two weeks of income for the local operators etc. Although there would be no harvest, I suspect a lot of people would still come to fish. This would also fit well with the OMNR efforts to increase fishing opportunities in the province.
When the OMNR talked about closing the Bay a few years ago, people banded together to find a solution to keep it open (thus the new slot system). Perhaps a similar approach should be taken, only on a more "proactive basis", to propose a special "C&R season extension".
Still thinking along these lines, has anyone considered forming a Quinte Anglers Association to deal with important fisheries issues for the Bay? This model is used in many other locations (eg River Associations on Canada's east coast). These associations work to present a unified voice to government officials. They also conduct many other positive activities, such as public education, improvements to access etc. I think everyone on this site would agree that Quinte is a very special waterbody that probably warrants this kind of attention.
Didn't catch a lot of fish my last trip out - must have had too much time to think! BT
|