Feb 05, 2010 - 04:30 AM

By Allan Bass

Over the past week, I have been traveling around the region talking to anglers, some of whom have the wrong information about the new MNR regulations.

Rumours abound about the opening of the ice fishing season across Zone 17. These rumors are not true. The walleye season has not been extended. Only three bodies of water in this region remain open for taking walleye through the ice, including Lake Scugog, Crowe Lake and the Lower Trent River. All other areas are still closed during the winter as far as the walleye are concerned.

I received another e-mail from Dan Taillon at the Ministry in Peterborough. He thought my last column may not have been clear enough.

He writes... "Had a chance to read your most recent column, and appreciate being provided the opportunity to provide MNR's perspective. I did notice one line that I'd appreciate a chance to clarify.

You wrote 'So here it is in a nutshell. The new regulations were put into place to allow the harvesting of walleye populations in the winter months, even though the total walleye stock is down from where it was several years ago. The slot limit, as long as it is enforced vigorously, and Mr. Taillon assures me that it will be, is a good idea. It will undoubtedly lead to a larger population of 'old marble-eyes' in the future.'

To be clear, there are no new regulations to allow the harvest of walleye in the winter. We have maintained existing winter walleye seasons in the areas of FMZ 17 where they were provided before (Scugog, Crowe Lake and the lower Trent River). The rest of FMZ 17 is closed during the winter for walleye. The new 'open all year' seasons are only provided for yellow perch, black crappie, sunfish and northern pike.

I just don't want any readers to misunderstand the new regulations."

I always value the input from the Ministry. It makes and enforces the regulations. But there is no doubt the MNR is on the right track with slot limits for walleye. If we all do our part and limit our catch, talk to other anglers about the new regulations and report those who wilfully disregard them, we can look forward to a renewed fishery in the future. That will be a good thing for both us and our kids.

Take note, the new regulations have also limited the number of crappie to 30 and perch to 50. But both species are now open all year. But we still need to limit our catch to just what we are going to eat.

Until next time, I am The Ontario Angler.