MNR fishing for law-abiding anglers

The Ministry of Natural Resources is targeting walleye in a fishing blitz starting May 19.

The blitz will continue until June 1. It will extend from Hudson Bay to James Bay in the north to the French and Mattawa rivers in the south, and from the Ontario-Quebec border in the east to Lake Superior and the Manitouwadge area in the west.

Walleye season generally opens the third Saturday in May across the northeast, according to the MNR. The blitz aims to ensure that anglers know and follow the rules.

Anglers can expect a heightened enforcement effort by conservation officers. Laws dealing with catch and possession limits of fish and proper packaging and transportation of fish will be a priority. Anglers are also reminded that most people require an outdoors card and fishing licence to sport fish in Ontario.

The catch limit is the number of fish anglers are allowed to catch and keep in one day. This includes fish which are not immediately released, which are eaten or which are given away. Possession limit is the amount of fish anglers are allowed to possess whether in actual possession, cold storage, in transit and all other places.

Unless specified, catch and possession limits are the same. Fish eaten at a shore lunch are included in these limits.

Any fish caught after reaching the daily limit of catch or possession for a species must be immediately returned to the water in a manner that causes no harm to the fish, the MNR stated. Anglers may also now selectively catch, hold and live release more walleye, northern pike, and large- or small-mouth bass, than their daily limit provided that they follow rules around live wells, size limits, daily catch and retain limits and other rules.

When packaging fish, anglers must ensure that a conservation officer can easily determine the species and number of fish in the angler’s possession. Unidentifiable fish or fish that cannot be counted may be seized by a conservation officer.

For more information on fishing regulations, consult the 2012 Recreational Fishing Regulations Summary before heading out to fish. The summary is available at ServiceOntario and Government Information Centres, from licence issuers, as well as on the ministry’s website at ontario.ca/fishing.

To report a natural resources violation, call 1-877-TIPS-MNR (847-7667) any time or contact your local ministry office during regular business hours. You can also call Crime Stoppers anonymously at 1-800-222-TIPS (8477).

Posted by Arron Pickard