mrymar

"Fred Hnytka, a DFO species at risk biologist based in Winnipeg." So some Federal guy from Winnipeg is going to rules over this? Why not let OMNR manage their own fishery? Lake Sturgeon have a large population in the St Clair River. I fish for them in September. I strickly fish them catch and release. I think it would be a shame to not allow anglers to enjoy this fishery. Ontario could put into place more strict rules, but to have th feds ban fishing for them would be wrong. In Michigan, I personally know the biologist are keeping a close eye on the St. Clair River fishery. In Michigan, anglers are required to get a tag (like deer hunting) before they are allowed to target Sturgeon. Anglers are only allowed 1 tag a season. Most guys I know get their tag, and then never keep a fish. Also, the large spawners are protected by a slot limit. A tag is only good for a 40-50" fish. Our Michigan DNR believes that only 20% of the entire population fall into the slot limit, so that means that the other 80% of the fish that do not fall into the slot limit are protected.