To help Bay of Quinte walleye stocks recover, anglers are being urged to voluntarily limit the number of large fish they keep.
Female walleye in the Bay mature at about age three and 19 inches in length. As the fish grow even larger they are capable of producing greater egg masses. The bigger the fish, the more eggs are produced. Fish over 19 inches are most important to rebuild depleted stocks in the Bay of Quinte and anglers should be encouraged to limit their harvest of mature fish, explains O.F.A.H. Fisheries Biologist Dave Brown.
Over the past decade walleye stocks have, for several reasons, plunged precipitously, and researchers believe there may be as few as 160,000 walleye remaining in the Bay area that once supported over a million.
Ontario Federation of Anglers and Hunters Executive Director Mike Reader said, voluntarily abiding by size limits is appropriate during the period of public consultation and discussion. It is also imperative that all communities with an interest in the fishery work together to stop or limit the harvest of breeding age fish.
The O.F.A.H. also wants to ensure anglers, or anyone with concerns on this issue, have the opportunity to comment. A special web site section has been created where a brief but important poll and comment section has been set up.
It is the O.F.A.H.’s intention to bring those comments forward during the decision-making process, Mr. Reader said.
For more information about this issue, please contact O.F.A.H. Communications Specialist Mark Holmes at 705-748-6324, fax to 705-748-9577, or e-mail to ofah@ofah.org