Proposed Changes for Bass Season in Zones 17. 18. and 20

The MNR (Ministry of Natural Resources of Ontario) is looking at changing the Bass Season opening in Zones 17, 18 and 20. They are looking at changing the date from the 4th Saturday in June to the 3rd Saturday in June.

Click here for the full report.

In my opinion, if their data is accurate, is the change would be fine in zones 17 and 18, but zone 20 warms up more slowly as it is a large body of water and the extra week could make a difference in bass stocks.

It will be interesting to see if there are any proposed changes for zone 16 coming.

Local anglers fined and banned after exceeding walleye catch limit

Local anglers fined and banned after exceeding walleye catch limit
by Dave Battagello

Two Windsor anglers have been fined a total of $3,100 for reeling in 31 more walleye than their fishing licences allowed during a trip earlier this year in the Peterborough area, according to the Ministry of Natural Resources.

Read more...

How many dead fish would be “significant”?

How many dead fish would be “significant”?
Krystyn Tully, Waterkeeper.ca Weekly

A nuclear power plant in Ontario should be allowed to kill millions of fish each year, say staff of the Canadian Nuclear Safety Commission (CNSC). Their surprising recommendation is part of the final environmental assessment report for Ontario Power Generation’s plan to refurbish four nuclear reactors at its Darlington Nuclear Generating Station on the north shore of Lake Ontario.

CNSC staff are asking Commissioners, acting together with the Department of Fisheries and Oceans, to allow OPG to operate a “once-through” cooling system. This outdated system will suck in water from Lake Ontario to cool the nuclear reactors, then discharge warmed water back to the lake all day every day for a half-century.

Read more...

Canada - U.S. toughen laws to protect Great Lakes

Canada - U.S. toughen laws to protect Great Lakes
BY TOM GODFREY ,TORONTO SUN

TORONTO - Canada and the U.S. are toughening laws that deal with pollution and intrusive fish species, including Asian carp, that are causing major problems in the Great Lakes.

Environment Minister Peter Kent was in Washington, D.C. on Friday to sign an updated Great Lakes Water Quality Agreement that has not been amended for 40 years.

Read More...

Fishing Report September 6th, 2012

With the impending rain, I decided to get out last night for a short fishing trip down to the Forks of the Thames. I got there about 8:30 and left at 10:00.  We used hot dogs.  I caught a white bass around a pound in the first couple of minutes and thought, great they generally travel in large schools and we would be hitting white base every cast. No suck luck as he was clearly the only one in the area. My next catch was my first Spiny Soft Shelled Turtle. The one was big, at least half a meter in length. She was released without incident. (That brings my Thames River Turtle species count to 4: Snapping, Spiny Soft Shelled, Painted and Red Ear Slider) That was it for my night of catching.  My daughter who was almost asleep at 5 to 10 jumps out of her chair and her reel starts screaming.  This fish pulled off well over 100 feet of line before she turned it. After her initial panic, she settled into the lift and reel down rhythm.  After a good 5 minutes she pulled in and released a nice sized carp ( 8-9 lbs) It was then off the home. I know she's telling every kid at school this morning about her monster fish.

No answers in massive fish kill

No answers in massive fish kill
By Trevor Terfloth, Chatham Daily News

A massive fish kill that occurred along the shores of Lake Erie in the Rondeau area over the long weekend is still under investigation.

However, a spill isn't thought to be the culprit, according to the Ontario Ministry of the Environment.

Read more...

Fishing Report September 2nd, 2012

I went back to the Forks of the Thames with the rest of my hot dogs.  We arrived at 8 but didn't get out first bite until 9:30. What a difference a night makes.  The first fish was the smallest catfish I have ever caught. It was a 7 inch channel cat, very cute trying to eat such a big bait. The next bite happened soon after.  This fish fought for a good 10 minutes and made several impressive runs.  When we landed it the channel cat was almost 2 feet long and easily 10 lbs, which makes it the largest catfish I have ever caught.  We decided to call it a night shortly after that.

In addition I met another angler Matt tonight who had some great stories and advice on catching fish and he watches the Ghetto Fishing Show.

Hundreds of Dead Fish Wash up at the Shores of Erie Beaches

Ministry of the Environment investigating after hundreds of dead fish wash up at the shores of Lake Erie beaches
Alex Weber, London Free Press

Beach goers looking to take advantage of the last weekend of summer were startled to find hundreds of dead fish washed up along the shore of Lake Erie, Saturday afternoon. Read More...

Fishing Report September 1st, 2012

Well it was the last night of the full moon, so I thought I should get out and get fishing.  We went down to the Forks of the Thames at about 8:00 PM.  My son likes to come and watch but not fish.  I fished away from shore for a bit and didn't get anything, then we noticed a lot of carp only 5 or 6 feet away from the shore.  So we decided to bring in the tackle.  I was using hot dog pieces on hooks.  Shortly after we pulled in a 5 lbs catfish. Over the next 45 minutes I got a number of bites and hook up, but nothing ever got the shore.  About 9:45 I got a monstrous bite and the fish pulled out almost 200 feet of line before I could turn him.  We fought for about 6 or 7 minutes with a number of close calls, including him wrapping my line around a branch. Luckily we got him in and it was a nice 10 lbs carp.  After releasing the fish we were out of hot dogs and my tackle was really tore up, so it was time to come home.  I hope to get out at least once more this long weekend.