Quinte Fishing

Firstly, let me start out by saying I follow this board religiously as I have been fishing Quinte for atleast a decade and look forward to seeing positive and negative posts.
Here's my conundrum, I also follow to a lesser degree, some of the other fishing sites available on the Net. I keep coming across the same people posting their catches, their techniques etc... all over the Net! Web site after web site (and no, I will not mention names) they are telling the world about this wonderful resource. Well if they keep it up, there'll be no resource. You'll soon be able to walk across the bay without getting your feet wet, on all the boats! The "MEAT HUNTERS" are taking these wonderful fish home to poison their families and they have learned all our hard learned lessons by reading, not experiencing! Have ya noticed that some of the best/most expereinced Quinte anglers don't post any more? The're tired of watching the resource being abused by some.
Guy's, I know I'm stepping into dangerous waters here, but please use some discretion! Please don't give away the farm! Help each other yes, but if you give a man a fish, he'll eat today, teach a man how to raise fish and he'll never starve!
I'm ready for the crap to hit the fan!

Couldn't help but think this was directed at myself as well as a few others I won't mention. They can speak for themselves.

You raise a good point but looking at the validity of it, that's another. I have fished Quinte for 2 decades at least, of course it's not as good as it was even 15 years ago. The reason for that, something totally different which I'm not getting into again. Down that road too often.

As for sharing tips and techniques, more power to the people that do. Most people I know that fish the area, don't keep any fish from the lake. They just enjoy the sport of fishing. Have I kept the odd fish?, absolutely, will I keep more?, of course, but very few. One this year so far.

The benefits and friendships that come out of it are too numerous to mention

Just the concerns people have nowadays for things like, bringing a fish up to fast from the depths, shows people care about the fishery.

I like my Walleye in the 2-4 pound range to eat normally.

As for meat eaters, yes there are a few, but so what. As long as they're within the Ministry's guidleines, they are entitled. That's why we have guidelines.

I wish I knew the figure for the tourist dollars it brings into that area on a yearly basis but you can bet, it's substantial. I understand your concern but, have you personally seen a lot of individuals taking their limits? I'm just curious.

It makes for a much better atmosphere when you can chat with your fellow angler, as opposed to outwitting your fellow angler.

Just MHO....

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WIG

Well said Wig,If you think by not talking about it , it will go away,the original poster is mistaken.You would be better off preaching the safe release of these fish,make sure you take your time bringing them up from deep water,Have a handy scale and measure,I have a plywood board screwed to the top of my livewell with a ruler drawn in ,a rubberized net for easy removal of fish and hooks,pliers and camera handy.Power plunge the fish and if he floats,go back and get him.Handle with care around the gills as the big girls bleed easily.I think these tips will go a long way to helping in their survival. roughrider

Right on WIG and Roughrider. Very well put. Education is the key.
Cheers
I.G.D.

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Have an "ICE" one!!!!!!

Welcome to the future...

Information can be shared easier than ever. The problem is, you may think you are posting to just to a few select people or 'web friends' but really you are posting to the world.

If you really want to help the people requesting the help send them a personal message or email. Don't simply post every little detail to the world. I have done this in the past and regret doing it. I am now more reserved when I posted. There is nothing wrong with reporting how your weekend fishing went but limit the details. A little information goes a long way.

Cheers,

Mike

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Wish I wasn't here...Rather be fishing if you know what I mean

Great subject and great responses. I personally agree with W.I.G. The group I fish with come to Quinte every fall. Last fall was a banger trip. between 10 of us we caugt probably caught around 20 walleye ranging from 8lbs. to 17+ lbs. and I can tell you every fish was returned to fight another day after taking some pic's. I personally have been fishing Quinte for about 16 years, usually for spring fish for the small ones, only in the past 5 years have I been coming in the fall for the "trophy's". I really appreciate the information I get from this site and would share my experience and methods with anyone who asked.
renie_44 (Len)

Glad yah got my point Mike! I'm not saying don't post, as I said, I'm a fan of this board/group! If nobody posts, there'll be no board! All of us share the same concerns when it comes to the resource, I'm simply suggesting that people become better fisherman/women (person?!)throught their own HARD work, determination and experimentation. And anyone who's been out there in December knows, it takes determination and hard work.

Great discussion on a highly sensitive subject. I have only been coming to Quinte for three years and will be up again in another week, but I am one who owes all of the knowledge that I have accumulated on late-fall walleye fishing to this Board. I have fished for walleye for years, but never using the kind of techniques that are used for the late fall fish. I read the Board every day (several times a day) for a few weeks before I come up and it really helps. Last November on a trip, I caught four walleye over 10 pounds and that is the fishing highlight of my life! I do not keep large fish, never have, but I understand the concern. I used to work in Northern Ontario where walleye are hugely abundant and what I noticed was that the 'locals' typically kept only a reasonable number of fish, and smaller ones, but that many of the tourists wanted their monies worth and kept considerably more; and the larger the better! I know that it isn't fair to generalize, but I certainly understand the concern about giving too much info. and then it harming the overall population of fish. I have stated before on this site that I was disappointed by the large number of large fish that I saw kept last November - several boats that I noticed keeping more than their limit. However, I hope that the large majority return the fish and I think that most of the regulars on this Board do a great job of promoting that message. I will see some of you on the last weekend in Nov. I drive a black Lund with an 80 Yamaha 4 stroke and a 6 kicker. My dad and I will be up, staying at Tip of the Bay. Say hello!!

1. You are nuts to keep a big fish and eat it because it tastes like sawdust.

2. You are nuts to keep a big fish and eat it because it is loaded with contaminants!

3. The slot protects the breeders.

4. It ain't the anglers who are over-harvesting, it's them other dudes with the nets and the spears.

5. If you let most of your fish go, the big fishies make little fishies.

6. Today's released fish are tomorrow's trophies.

7. There is no need to kill a trophy when you can make a replica that looks better.

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Self-unemployed and available for fishin' mid-week most days.

VERY WELL said WIG. I have been fishing Quinte off and on for 20 years. more aggressively since I moved to Brighton 5 years ago. The fishery was one of the prime reasons to retire down this way. I have to say that I have learned a lot from the info on this board and very much appreciate those that share even tidbits of info. It provides a place to start when the bite is tough, which it has been for me so far this fall. I don't keep any fish unless below the slot. All others go back in the swim.

Ones has to think that only about 10-15% of Ontario and Non-Ontario residents Recreatinal Anglers use Internet resources such as Forums an online magazines looking for the next place to Fish and to find out where the fish have been biting.

Ontario Promotes Recreational Sport Fishing, Family Fishing Weekend, Take a Kid Fishnig program and many more...

If the MNR felt that Ontario's Fishery was in danger they would not be promoting such events, they would reduce the limit of fish to be kept.
Even Cut back on Commercial Fishing on the Great lakes.

I have lived on Vancouver Island and have seen what Commerial Fishing ( troller, netters) can do to the Salmon population on the Georgia Straight.
It's not the Recreation Sport Angers that depletted the Salmon population.

Ontario's Recreation Fishing generated revenue comes in Second in Canada, Britsh Columbia coming in First.

$629.2 million in major purchases wholly attributable to recreational fishing (fishing, boating, and camping equipment; special vehicles; land; buildings; and other) by licenced Ontario resident anglers.
$41.3 million in major purchases wholly attributable to recreational fishing (fishing, boating, and camping equipment; special vehicles; and other) by out-of-province anglers.
$1.02 billion in direct expenditures (food, camping, accommodation, transportation, supplies) by all anglers (resident, non-resident Canadians, non-resident non-Canadians) fishing in Ontario.
$1.56 billion contributed to Ontario's Gross Domestic Product by recreational fishing each year.
39,800 person-years of employment sustained by recreational fishing in Ontario each year.
http://www.mnr.gov.on.ca/MNR/fishing/econo.html

So If a person wants to keep they limit of fish, why not. Personaly I don't unless camping in Norhtern Ontario and a Fish Fry is always Good

Just my 2 cents...

Solid topic and reply's.

Introduction of new blood to the sport is another example. Especially younger people. Its a "puter" world out there now. I know from personal experience the "internet" can and is a angling mentor to many. Some that have no one to show them the ropes, but they love fish'n. In some ways a detailed post with pictures gives some incentive......similar to that of the stories a grampa used to tell...to keep us in the game!

I ran a big brothers event this year, that was the introduction, the interent is now their prime resource for information.

Phil

Although, waypoints do not belong on any board, hahahha even though there are no secrets and no secret spots.

I will always share information and freely at that. I do so for a number of reasons. The first is I like to talk with likeminded people and this board is full of likeminded people. I take satisfaction everytime I read a post that expresses their thanks to this board because they just nailed the biggest eye of their life and I have taken countless people out in my boat and put them on their biggest fish ever. I have also taken valuable lessons from this board which put me on fish. It's a give and take among the fraternity here.

In terms of the meat eaters. There has never been a documented case of a great lake fishery that was destroyed by hook and line. In fact the MNR clearly showed the greatest threat to our fishery is a unregulated gill net fishery. Sure, small lakes can fall to anglers but not a great lake. Its the nets and enviromental changes which effect the fishery. The change to regulations which put the slot into effect and reduced the possession limit of fish over 25 inches is our contribution to conservation.

Have you ever seen the gill nets on the bay? One scoop by a gill net takes more fish than a weekend of anglers on the water. I generally dont keep anyhting I catch but I have no problem with anglers keeping fish following the limits set by the MNR.

This board also has political power which contributes to the protection of our fishery. The continued message of catch and release combined with a desire to enjoy this fishery for years to come are enough incentive for most to return many of the fish we catch. If a guy is unethicial then he is unethicial. The sharing of information on this board does not change that. The only way to deal with a guy like that is to "Not look the other way" "Get involved" call and report it. 1800 222-TIPS(8477). I refuse to let poachers determine what I can and cant say on a board. Report it

In terms of the "Do your own hard work" argument. I throughly enjoy doing the hard work and sharing with others what did and didnt work for me. At the end of they day they still have to get out there and put the program together.

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

I agree with virtually all of your responses to this "difficult" question. Pete, I couldn't agree with you more! The Walleye in Quinte, regardless of the time of year just don't taste that good! Those big hens have the Farenheit scale stamped on one side and celsius on the other! I've eaten 8, 9 and 10 pounders out of Erie and they taste dandy! A Kawartha's fish will always taste better then a Quinte fish - IMHO!
But back to my point; giving generalities, ie "fished east of the ferry" is just fine, but some of the posts here seem like we are going to help these guys launch their boat, hook to "right lure" to their line, let out x amount of line, here, let me reel that in for yah and make sure the sun's facing the right way so we can get a really good shot of the fish etc...
I certainly appreciate my results, be it fishing or any other endevour, when I was successful based on MY hard work!
Please keep posting pics of your success! Please take a kid fishing! Please spend you hard earned cash with advertisers on this board and the local Quinte merchants (lord knows I have!) but just use some descretion when posting "techniques". You don't know who's watching!

This site i've seen spoke about quinte and they also have video footage of their fish. Absolutely everything was released. If that is not a good thing, well what is???

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walleye hunter