Quinte Fishing

It has been an number of years (4) since I have had the opportunity to ice fish Quinte's renown walleye waters. Prior to my moving away, i fished the Bay extensively since the days of the walleyes' return in the late 70's.My memories conjure up the thoughts of trophy fish with very few been caught under 5 pounds...especially in the Deseronto/telegraph narrows region. From what i am reading these large fish still making up a large percentage of the catches. Please correct me if i am wrong.
My question is if limits of walleye are being caught now by the bridge at Deseronto...or any other part of the Bay of Quinte(as stated in latest posts), are all these fish being kept? (Which is in violation of the latest fish regulations). If the fish are not being kept and returned, how many are actually surviving? Especially the fact that when it is extremely cold, that there is a greater chance of the fish's eyes freezing making them blind.

Fishnet,

Do the regulations not state that you cannot keep fish in
the slot between 18 and 25 inches? Your 5 lb fish fall in
the slot. Correct me if I'm wrong but I would think they
might be keeping fish 2 lbs and under or 8 lbs or over.
The average fish probably sits in the slot. When it comes
to icefishing, most anglers are there to experience the catching
of a 12 plus. The majority of anglers I know, let them all go.

Your probably right about the mortality of released Walleyes
on very cold days. The MNR conducted a Walleye icefishing
release study last year at the North Bay District office. The
lake was Lake Nippissing. Members of the Anglers and Hunters
club participated in a number of days fishing where released
fish were held in large underwater pens for a number of days
for observation. Fish did die, but they were few. I would think
the mortality rate would be higher on large fish that expend a
large amount of energy on the way to the top of the ice.

We would have a great resistance to no catch and release during
the winter. My best advice would be to fish no greater than say
20 ft and release your fish as fast a possible. If your going to
take a picture make sure your camera is ready. Your advice to
fish on warm days would also help. Maybe barbless hooks would
allow quicker releases.

Have a good day on Quinte,

BATMAN

thanks for your input in regards to the mortality rate. Interesting in regards to the study.

I guess what I was alluding to was the memories that i had where I would see 3 or 4 8-12 pound walleye lying on the ice caught by each angler! I know that the average fisherman is looking for the fish of their lifetime and Quinte offers that, but I just hope that only 1 fish is being kept over that slot size.

Fishnet,

There are times when everyone on the ice seems
to be pulling out those 8-10 lbers, but I don't see
alot of dead fish on the ice on those days. Good news.

Last year I was fishing beside a guy that talked about
how he lets everything over 3 lbs go. That was after
I just release an 8 lber. He said he was a catch a
release guy just like me. In the next instant, he had
a fish on. His first of the morning. It was a good 10.
He pulled it onto the ice and wacked it dead with a
stick of wood. I couldn't believe my eyes, especially
after his story about catch and release convictions.

It takes all kinds, By the way, I moved.

BATMAN

Just to weigh in on the subject, we travel 6 hours to fish Quinte, and very seldom do we kill a fish. It is a thrill to catch a large walleye, and also a thrill to watch it swim away. Occcasionaly we keep an "eater". I hope the fish are there for my great grandchildren to catch. Good fishin' to all.

_________________
Take a kid fishing, and remember, if you take your kids hunting,
you won't have to hunt for your kids.