Sunfish and fishing tourism in Zone 18

Post by **SixStringHack** » Tue May 12, 2009 11:21 am

Do you have first hand knowledge of anyone that actually targets sunfish as a sport fish or a serious food fish?

Not perch or crappies, just bluegills and pumpkinseeds....

I run an annual kids panfish derby for the cottage association at the lake so I've been reading the information about the proposed changes to the sunfish regs in Zone 18. One of the things that I have a lot of trouble believing is that there are thousands of fishing tourists drawn to the area to fish for sunfish. I read the articles in the papers last year when some lodge owners complained that the 2008 changes to the regs (which were withdrawn) would greatly affect their businesses, but I have yet to talk to anyone with first hand knowledge of fishing tourists who target sunfish. I know a few lodge and marina owners around the cottage so I'll ask them when I see them next, but I thought I'd just ask the crew here to see if anyone is or knows of any serious sunfish fishermen.

Post by **steve-hamilton** » Tue May 12, 2009 12:33 pm

look for a fisherman with an american license plate, or an american flag on their boat...it'll cut down on your search.

Post by JP » Tue May 12, 2009 12:58 pm

Mississippi lake every summer has lots of US anglers come just to fish for Sunfish and Blue gill. They keep them by the bucket full.

Same with Calabogie Lake area.

JP

Post by RJ » Tue May 12, 2009 1:01 pm

I strongly suggest you attend the final public consultation tonight in Perth.

The numbers are staggering.

I'll be there tonight in support of the limits for the future.

RJ

P.S. Hopefully I'll be able to provide some info tonight when I get home...I know most people will not beleive the numbers....

Post by **Bass Addict** » Tue May 12, 2009 1:21 pm

Somebody is going to drive hundreds of miles to catch and keep 50 sunfish.......??????

I'd have to see it with m,y own eyes to believe it

Post by **crankbait58** » Tue May 12, 2009 1:41 pm

It doesn't surprise me in the least. I see certain ethnic groups who shall remain unamed fill up big white buckets with anything with fins on it including 5 inch bass - if its on a hook it goes in the pail and home for supper. A crying shame but that's what things are coming to.

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Post by **Todd B.** » Tue May 12, 2009 1:59 pm

BA,

The MNR removed the limits on perch and sunfish for 2009 due to the outcry.
http://www.mnr.gov.on.ca/239044.pdf

The point being made by the lodges, etc is that people will not come if the catch/posession limits are low. On the other hand if the fishery is not managed it will be decimated just as almost all of the US fisheries have been.

As RJ mentioned, the recorded numbers of fish going south across the border is mind blowing. A common theme is groups coming up to fish and bringing back enough panfish to pay for their vacation. We're talking about a van packed with filets (thousands).

Post by RJ » Tue May 12, 2009 2:23 pm

crankbait58 wrote:It doesn't surprise me in the least. I see certain ethnic groups who shall remain unamed fill up big white buckets with anything with fins on it including 5 inch bass - if its on a hook it goes in the pail and home for supper. A crying shame but that's what things are coming to.

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The White bucket brigade as we all call em have nothing on whats going on......

Like I said....hopefully tonight I can post some info on what the MNR has found in the past year....

Post by **Todd B.** » Tue May 12, 2009 2:42 pm

Yeah.... the white bucket brigade are hardly a drop in the bucket.....pardon the pun.

Post by **crankbait58** » Tue May 12, 2009 3:20 pm

RJ, glad to hear you'll be representing the voices of reason and responsibility at the meeting tonight - my thanks to you, and I'm looking forward to your feedback. If the results demand a serious outcry from conservation minded fishermen then this forum is probably the right place to gain the requisite support. Cheers.

Post by **slop** » Tue May 12, 2009 3:43 pm

There is absolutely, without any doubt that there are serious Bluegill anglers on our lakes. This isn't something new either, it's been going on for decades. Bobs Lake and Rice lake are two lakes that I recall having heavy, heavy pressure, strictly for their gills.

On the other hand the local economy benefited from tourism dollars, cottage rentals, fuel, launch fees, groceries...because they do get sick of eating gills 3 time a day

Post by **riverdog** » Tue May 12, 2009 6:44 pm

Okay I'm not going to rant! The video that Bobber posted a few months ago were the Lindy brothers gave thier point of view on this subject was vey interesting. Looking forward to your post RJ!

Post by **Bass Addict** » Tue May 12, 2009 8:53 pm

Todd B. wrote: We're talking about a van packed with filets (thousands).

Really

Post by **Paddler** » Tue May 12, 2009 9:51 pm

As RJ mentioned, the recorded numbers of fish going south across the border is mind blowing. A common theme is groups coming up to fish and bringing back enough panfish to pay for their vacation. We're talking about a van packed with filets (thousands).

look for a fisherman with an american license plate, or an american flag on their boat...it'll cut down on your search.

Ninety-five percent of anglers checked by Ministry of Natural Resources and Ontario Provincial Police officers in an enforcement blitz in the Sioux Lookout area were found to be obeying the rules.

On July 3 and 4, 2008, five Sioux Lookout District conservation officers and an OPP constable checked 274 non-resident and 77 resident anglers on the water and at tourist camps. The officers used two enforcement boats on Abram, Pelican, Minnitaki and Botsford lakes and a high-visibility enforcement truck at the tourist camps.

The officers laid seven charges and issued 12 warnings for the following offences:
" Possessing over limits of walleye
" Possessing fish of prohibited length
" Possessing live fish
" Importing leeches into Ontario for use as bait
" Failing to possess a fishing licence
" Transporting fish in a manner which did not permit identification of species or number
" Possessing and consuming open alcohol in a boat
" Lacking the required safety gear in accordance with the small vessel regulations
" Operating a motor vehicle carelessly.

June 16, 2008

CHARGES LAID DURING SARNIA BRIDGE BLITZ

Most anglers stopped at a fish and game check station on the Blue Water Bridge in Sarnia were found to be obeying Ontario's fishing regulations during a joint enforcement blitz by the Ministry of Natural Resources and Canada Border Services Agency on Saturday, June 14, 2008.

The ministry set up the station to check both provincial and federal fish and game regulations. The timing of the check station was also aimed at catching anyone getting a jump on the bass fishing season, which opens in most parts of Ontario on the fourth Saturday of June.

Conservation and customs officers checked 70 vehicles from Michigan, Ohio and Indiana during the five hour operation, and issued 42 warnings and laid 25 charges including:

" 30 warnings for possessing fish packed so that species or number cannot readily be identified or counted, and
" 12 warnings for fail to produce licence for conservation officer
" 22 charges for possessing fish packed so that species or number cannot readily be identified or counted, and
" 3 charges for possessing more than specified quota of fish from specified waters.

Conservation officers occasionally use border point or roadside check stations in various areas of Ontario to enforce fish and wildlife regulations. This operation was carried out with the co-operation of staff from the Blue Water Bridge Authority

June 13, 2008

CANINE UNIT LENDS A PAW AT ANGLER CHECK IN GREENSTONE

Ministry of Natural Resources conservation officers, with the help of the Northwest Region canine unit, conducted a two-day patrol in the Greenstone area.

On June 7 and 8, 2008, a Geraldton conservation officer along with the Northwest Region canine handler and his dog, Riggs, checked anglers at fly-in water bases and river and lake access points in the Geraldton, Longlac and Nakina areas.

The officers spoke to 80 resident and 51 non-residents anglers. They laid one charge for each of the following: an over limit of walleye, having no sport fishing licence and driving an all-terrain vehicle without a helmet. They also issued four warnings for improper packaging of fish. The ministry reminds anglers that fish must be transported so that the species can be easily identified, counted and also measured if size limits apply.

The canine team helps officers protect Ontario's natural resources. Riggs is trained to detect hidden fish, wildlife and firearms, and also track violators and people who are lost

June 4, 2008

CANINE TEAM ASSISTS IN FORT FRANCES ROAD CHECK

Ministry of Natural Resources conservation officers found that almost 30 anglers had improperly packaged their fish during a road check just east of Fort Frances.

On May 26, 2008, conservation officers from Fort Frances and Dryden stopped 200 vehicles in a road check on Highway 11, about two kilometres east of Fort Frances.

The officers, assisted by the Northwest Region Canine Team, inspected 135 vehicles and spoke to 406 anglers. They issued 11 charges and 17 warnings, all for improper packaging of fish.

The ministry reminds anglers that fish must be transported so that the species can be easily identified, counted and also measured if size limits apply.

May 27, 2008

HIGHWAY 400 ENFORCEMENT CHECK FINDS 90 PER CENT OF ANGLERS OBEYING RULES

Most anglers checked at the southbound Highway 400 Service Centre in the city of Vaughn, York Region, were obeying Ontario's fishing regulations.

The Ministry of Natural Resources, the Ministry of Transportation and the Ontario Provincial Police conducted the joint enforcement blitz on May 19, 2008. Officers checked for compliance with both provincial and federal fish and game regulations and paid special attention to Ontario's fishing regulations, out of season bass and proper transportation of fish.

Conservation officers checked approximately 300 anglers during the ten-hour operation and issued 25 charges for fish and wildlife related offences including:

possessing bass out-of-season
transporting fish whose species cannot be identified, and
failing to produce a licence.
They also issued 11 warnings and took the opportunity to educate the public about over limits, seasons and proper transport techniques.

Conservation officers occasionally use roadside check stations to enforce fish and wildlife regulations.

I spent about $1000.00 CDN last year in two weeks not to mention about $4.50 / gal. USD to fill my truck.

So about 350 lbs of panfish at $4.00 USD/lb should just about cover my costs.

Gimme a break.

Overall, voluntary compliance looks pretty good to me.

Check out the stats at th OCOA website.

Post by RJ » Wed May 13, 2009 5:06 am

Paddler wrote: I spent about $1000.00 CDN last year in two weeks not to mention about $4.50 / gal. USD to fill my truck.

So about 350 lbs of panfish at $4.00 USD/lb should just about cover my costs.

Gimme a break.

Why would one feel the right or need to try to "break even" on a vacation by keeping enough fish to pay for it?

Is it sold for $4.00 a pound in PA?