Quinte Fishing

Does anyone know of any current efforts regarding what is being put back in the Bay for future generations? Have any walleye fry or other types of fish been put in the Bay this year or are there plans for next year? I read an interesting newspaper article about a recent stocking of the Gananoque River which was encouraging. Any news about current quinte conservation efforts would be appreciated.

Stocking of BOQ has only taken place by one gentleman on Tyendinega for walleye. Historically a number of various species have been stocked in and around the area.

MNR controls this aspect (public stocking) at the present time under the current conditions. In the future, hopefully this will somehow be controlled differently to allow more public input.

I understand a small amount of rainbow trout being reared in Springside Fish Hatchery/Napanee at the present time. I do not know their stocking location.
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On a personal note, it is my hope to see management by watershed, with strains of fish used/stocked that were historically present, or are better able to survive given the changing ecosystem. When and if this time comes, I would like to see considerable more public involvement in how MNR conducts regional business across the province. The examples are endless from across N America of how to develop a stronger more publicly supported, endorced model.

Regards
Don Stokes

Stocking of BOQ has only taken place by one gentleman on Tyendinega for walleye. Historically a number of various species have been stocked in and around the area.

MNR controls this aspect (public stocking) at the present time under the current conditions. In the future, hopefully this will somehow be controlled differently to allow more public input.

I understand a small amount of rainbow trout being reared in Springside Fish Hatchery/Napanee at the present time. I do not know their stocking location.
___________________________________________________________

On a personal note, it is my hope to see management by watershed, with strains of fish used/stocked that were historically present, or are better able to survive given the changing ecosystem. When and if this time comes, I would like to see considerable more public involvement in how MNR conducts regional business across the province. The examples are endless from across N America of how to develop a stronger more publicly supported, endorced model. Studies need to be conducted of spawning sites, and many more things, that go beyond what has currently been conducted.

Ask yourself "when was the last time you saw a biologist or technician in any major river feeding BOQ in waders, let alone talking to a group of kids....riverside"? The area deserves more ernest attention. This will only happen when people begin to repeatedly demand that the bar for MNR expectations be raised in how services are rendered and not the other way around. Management can make the difference, in most areas (there are a number of complex but workable variables involved).

Regards
Don Stokes
PS. Sorry...you hit me on a rough day regarding this topic.

Someone gave me a call this evening regarding an article in the Kingston Whig- Standard. Apparently the fish in Gananoque were walleye reared by Napanee Springside Hatchery and released there (with MNR approval).

My hat is off to the powers that be within MNR. This is a step in the right direction. I can hardly wait to read the article!

Regards
Don Stokes

Hats off as well to the Napanee Hatchery and all the volunteers that have raised the thousands of small walleye released in the Ganonoque River system and who continue to run this hatchery in a professional manner. Hopefully the MNR will also give approval to such releases in the Bay of Quinte system and even sponsor such hatchery activities so they become a permanent part of stocking not just for Quinte but other water systems.

Attn. Conservationman
The hatchery continues to be a great addition to the region and is a way to begin to bridge cultural rifts far better than can be imagined.

Getting fish stocked however big or small in BOQ has the public support. I do not believe in itself, that it is the answer, but merely part of a complex set of events that require support. It acts as a catalyst for other items (eg. water, habitat quality), when presented in a manner that allows the public to understand and get behind at many levels.

The hatchery should be far more visible in my opinion, with open houses, more school involvement, etc.. I am too far away to have much of a say in any such local matters....mine is just an individuals opinion..... I remain in suppport of it and hope that it develops into something more.

If you are close to Napanee at all, volunteering there is not a good thing...."it is a great thing". People thoroughly enjoy seeing and getting a taste of the experience.....good people are always in short supply.

It has to be heard in order to happen.....

PS Have I met you at some point perhaps?

Don Stokes

No Don, we have not met. I occasionally hit Mohawk Bay with my 14 foot aluminum boat . I am usually the one on guard for those big waves that come through from the yacht size boats.But I enjoy reading your points/concerns about conservation and hopefully other readers will also input on the complex subject of conservation. It is always interesting and informative to read comments about the present fishing action on the bay but a nice complement to that would be comments that shed light on preserving the Bay's future. The gentleman you mentioned in Tyendinaga who is part of walleye stocking efforts should receive special mention. Sometimes the conservationists humbly go about their work not caring about or thinking about any recognition but are simply caught up in their concern about the fishery.

One small point: we all keep fish once in a while but if we each let one go when we otherwise would have kept it ,that would be a lot of fish returned to the Bay for others and perhaps the releasors to catch again when they are bigger. It starts with one small trickle.... These comments apply to all common fish species (ex. bass , pike) not just the walleye.

Release the big ones..... C MAN

Thanks for responding Conservationman

I remain very interested in the regions outdoor's and support some select groups, individuals, despite now living far away (I still have a holding or two in BOQ area).

The gentleman in Tyendinega is a true gentleman in my opinion and I wish that others, from all sides would follow his positive proactive example.

I read one time something to the effect of thinking about any harvest in terms of how it will affect you 7 generations down the line. This is a rather simple but eloquent choice of words and possible actions.....that I believe is a healthy way to approach any resource that is to have any type of use, harvest. The origins are unimportant, but the thought is timely in todays ever changing envireonment (and no I am not some anti....I just like people and action....that get the job done)

I used to go swimming as a child at Mohawk Bay and even got my first "distaste" for sunstroke there....lol. I have no idea what it is like now, other than passing comments from associates in the area.

I wish you well.
Don Stokes