The Ontario Federation of Anglers and Hunters’ (O.F.A.H.) Fisheries Research Unit (F.R.U.) has received a very generous grant from the Canadian National Sportsmen’s Shows (C.N.S.S.) to help study Rice Lake walleye.
The C.N.S.S. grant of $20,000 will help the F.R.U. study the walleye population of Rice Lake that has been the basis of one of southern Ontario’s largest and most productive fisheries.
The F.R.U. study entitled “The Examination of Factors Causing Recruitment Failure in Rice Lake Walleye” involves intensive field work in Rice Lake and the Otonabee River from April to October 2004, followed by laboratory analyses of stomach contents, stable isotopes, aging structures and telemetry data.
“The O.F.A.H. is very pleased the C.N.S.S. Grant Program agrees with us that this walleye study is very important,” said Mike Reader, O.F.A.H. Executive Director. “The Ministry of Natural Resources has observed poor recruitment of walleye in five of six years since 1997, and this trend jeopardizes the long-term success of this very important fishery. We hope the F.R.U. can shed light on what the problem is. The results of this project will act as the foundation for the future management on Rice Lake and across the south-central region of Ontario.”
The O.F.A.H. F.R.U., in partnership with Shimano, Fishing Forever Foundation, O.M.N.R., Trent-Severn Waterway, O.F.A.H. Invasive Species Awareness Program, and the Government of Canada Job Creation Partnership and Summer Career Placement Program, intends to focus on examining walleye reproductive success on spawning shoals, and predation upon larval walleye by black crappie, one of two panfish species to invade Rice Lake in the last 25 years. A team of seven O.F.A.H. biologists, technicians and summer students is being assembled to participate in the project along with O.M.N.R. staff, who will also be involved in overseeing and assisting with the project.
For more information on the O.F.A.H. F.R.U. call (705) 748-6324 or visit the web site www.ofah.org/fru.