Quinte Fishing

The ministry has posted the opening weekend report. Quite interesting to compare catch amounts + hours to catch a walleye over the years. I think if you study it all, the fishery has gone downhill. But if you factor in water changes like clarity due to the zebra mussels, maybe it's still half ass healthy. I believe the walleye are in different locales now + harder to catch, but still around. What kind of fishery do all of you think exists now? "good fishin", Al

I would have to agree with you to a degree. I think the fishery has deteriorated over the last few years, but to what extent is difficult to say. It would be premature to conclude extensive deterioration based on a single opening weekend report from the MNR. A more accurate evaluation will become evident as the season progresses over the next 3 months. Without a doubt, invasives as zebra mussels and gobies have had a negative impact on the fishery. The fish are still there, although I doubt in the same numbers as in years past, and they adapt accordingly to changing environmental conditions. Fishermen will have to adapt their techniques as well in order to be successful. However, I still believe that besides the invasives reeking havoc on the fishery, the indiscriminate over-harvesting of spawning walleyes and the lack of a minimum size limit have also dealt a negative blow to the fishery. Just my opinion.

Kappy