jerdog

Here's a good site with waterlevel data on all the Great Lakes... http://www.glerl.noaa.gov/data/now/wlevels/dbd/

Army surplus? 5 man arctic tent

Here's the section of the report where the 16% came from: "The impact of mortality caused by catch-and-release practices is often underestimated by both anglers and fishery managers. From a review of 118 catch-and-release studies (Appendix 1), which, in total, involved over 120,000 fish, the average mortality associated with catch-and-release angling was 16.2%. Thus, while many anglers may assume that by practising catch-and-release they are having no impact on the fish population, a significant number of released fish may die."

Check here too: FMZ 14 detailed map so you know when you are in FMZ 14 vs FMZ 16

Bigugli has it bang on. The only no kill is no fishing. It's a big range but the average reported here (MNR C&R guidelines) suggests 16% of fish released die. If you catch and release 25 walleye you have the same impact as a guy that keeps a limit and quits.

I love my Otter for certain purposes such as when fishing with a friend or when I'm going to be set up with the heat on with very little moving around. It's a bit big for pulling unless the ice is snow-free or hard packed. They are really meant to be towed. Good heavy frame, deep tub, lots of space, rugged cover... I'd consider getting the bench seat over the swivel chairs if weight isn't an issue. When I'm fishing alone I usually only take one seat to keep the weight down to a minimum. I bought it with an eye to having lots of space on spots within a short walk. I want to get a smaller one-man for some run and gun fishing when I know I'm not going to take the time to set up a heater - just flip and fish.

Anyone have experience with the Android version? For $15 or so it seems like a pretty good deal. Is it a memory and/or data hog? There was a pretty good endorsement of the app in OOD sometime through the summer but an OFC endorsement would go a long way.

Lake Erie has the largest commercial gill net fishery in Ontario. My estimate is that approx. 6500km of gill net (183 walleye/km of net, 1.2 million walleye caught) was set in Erie in 2011. I'm not sure Lake Erie is the best example for your argument. Lake Erie Walleye Task Group Report

I thought they had to use triploid fish that didn't sexually mature but I can't find any information on this site: NOAA

cedar/maple planking them works good too for people that don't have a smoker. 20-30 min on the plank adds a nice smokey flavour. Keep a spray bottle handy for flare ups.

To Fisherman and Glen's point re: culling - let's call that a wash as it's legal for non-tournament anglers to cull also (certain species at least). It's the transport, weigh-in, post weigh-in holding, and release that is the 'unique' part of tournaments compared to rec fishing. The other 'unique' aspect is that fish being weighed in are typically the largest specimens in the population - higher average size at least than what is captured/retained by the average/below average angler.

I've been reading the walleye tournament story with great interest on this forum and another. I'm not trying to stir up that argument/discussion any further but am curious about the public tolerance regarding fish mortality, specifically at tournaments. Full disclosure: I'm not anti-tournament, quite the opposite, however I've never participated in one. I have zero problems with killing fish within the laws, I've certainly killed my fair share. This poll is not affiliated with any organization, agency or institution. I'm just genuinely interested in what the level of tolerance the general angling public has for mortality at organized events. I'm ok with catch and kill derbies too but for the sake of this question let's assume this is advertised as a 100% catch and release tournament. Fish mortality is a fact of fishing. Even the most responsible angler (tournament angler or otherwise) will loose the occasional fish due to a deep hook set or long fight, many won't even be aware that it happened. Anglers and tournament organizers, in my experience, try their best to minimize the mortality rate however some fish will die and certain conditions (like weather) may affect the mortality rate. For the sake of argument - consider an event that has 50 participants and can weigh in 5 fish for a maximum weigh in of 250 fish. At what point would you consider the catch and release tournament to be still within an acceptable mortality level? 5% = 12 10% = 25 15% = 37 25% = 62... Thanks for playing along. JB

There's some reports on other boards that post weigh-in mortality may have been an issue. No first hand knowledge from me, just what I've seen in other locations. Can anybody confirm, deny, comment?

More info available here: SaveELA

Which is to say - in order to operate a commercial vessel you need a different license and that license is deemed appropriate in place of a PCOC. If you have a MED A3, you don't need a PCOC.

From TC page Chartered Vessel If you rent or charter a vessel, it is a commercial vessel if: the master is the owner or someone provided by the owner; or it is used other than for pleasure. If you rent or charter a vessel without crew and you either hire a master or operate it yourself, it is a pleasure craft so long as it is used only for your pleasure, hunting or fishing for your own food, or for other needs of your daily living. If you are the owner, and you rent or charter the vessel without crew to someone else who uses it for pleasure, it is a pleasure craft. If you provide the master, or operate the vessel yourself, it is a commercial vessel.(bold emphasis added by me) where: "Commercial vessel" – a vessel that is not a pleasure craft or used for commercial fishing. The Small Vessel Regulations do not define "commercial" but refer instead to "vessels other than a pleasure craft." Both "commercial vessel" and "non-pleasure vessel" are used in this guide to mean "vessel other than a pleasure craft." Vessels of all types, including human-powered vessels and vessels that are owned by any level of government and government entities like fire and police departments, are commercial vessels unless used only for pleasure.

the williams ice jig works as good in the spring as it does in the summer. small jigging, practically just wiggling it on bottom, not the big sweeping jigging motion.

"There are a few exemptions for persons over the age of 16 .... # 1 using a boat while working ( technically GUIDES are exempt) is how I understand it . ( is it just me ?)" not exempt - need a different license. A 'working boat' is no longer a pleasure craft, it's a commercial vessel which requires (at least?) a MED A3. Transport Canada web page has lots of details.

MNR stocking related documents are located here. Part way down the page is likely the most relevant -> guidelines for fish stocking in inland waters. All non-MNR stocking requires a License issued from the local MNR. Introductions (species not found or never stocked previously) require an Environmental Screening prior to a License (potentially) being issued.

Graham - interesting comments from the COs and highlights how unclear the term 'possession' is even within enforcement. Doesn't seem to make sense that possession of an undersized fish, which has a possession of 0, (especially one that is clearly undersized - you don't need a measuring tape to know a 30" muskie isn't a 54") has a different standard if you have a sport license. Sturgeon has an added complexity also since they also have protection under the Species At Risk Act which also requires immediate release to avoid being considered to have hurt, harmed or harassed a SAR. And in case you're wondering - SARA fines are WAY bigger than FWCA or OFR fines. Hopefully, the COs choose to enforce the spirit of the law and not the letter of the law. There's lots of more serious offences worth making a trip to court over.

Above seasonal winters may impact the recruitment of LT. The eggs must incubate throughout the winter, hatch and then survive off the yolk sac until enough plankton exists in the water for them to feed on. Hatching too early as a result of warm fall weather or mild winter, may lead to fry using up the yolk sac before adequate feed exists and they starve. According to a study from Lake Ontario, 2 degrees cooler at spawning could double the number of fry alive in May (Casselman, 1995). Over the long term - fewer fry produced in year X may be offset in future years by a larger spawning stock since fewer LT are harvest that year. The 50,000 LT from the hatchery should survive just fine though.

Here is the MNR on-line fishing map that they brought out last year. Fish ON-Line

I popped in this morning for a wander around. Found a couple decent clothing deals for myself but sizing was an issue. If your feet fit larger size boots there was some really good discounts on Irish Setters -- in the $150 range (?), regular $200+. For the gals or guys that want to impress their gals, there is a bunch of really good deals on women's Under Armour, North Face and OR gear, athletic and general outdoor. All brands are high end and really discounted -- sizing may be an issue but there was a pretty good selection of stuff. Seemed like a good selection of rain suits at several different price points. Parking is a bit challenging on the best of days and it was worse today with it being busy. JP De Rose is scheduled for seminars on Saturday also which was something not on the website earlier in the week.

Thanks for all the great advice. I'll post a full report when I get back.

Myself, wife and another couple are heading to Costa Rica (Liberia/Papagayo Area) in a couple of weeks. I did a search of the site and noticed a couple of reports from Costa Rica. Just wondering whether anyone can offer any advice with respect to getting a charter for a day or half day such as reputable operators. Also looked like from one report that success can be had just casting from shore. What should we target? Rooster fish seem to be the big draw but there is also mention of billfish, tuna and bottom fishing. Took a charter in Mexico last year for marlin but only boated two barracuda. Any advice would be appreciated.