Sterling

Thought long and hard whether I wanted to open this can of worms... figured I might save one of you guys from getting in trouble. Then again, this might get someone in trouble too. When you take a photo with any device, additional data is written to the image file. This data, called EXIF (Exchangeable Image File Format), stores information about the photo and the device that took it. This includes; Camera model Resolution Software Post-processing Exposure time Flash yes/no Camera pointing direction Much more.... And GPS COORDINATES - but only if your GPS is on (duh). So by sharing photos of your fish, you could be inadvertently sharing the lake on which it was caught. If the photo was taken right where the fish was caught (as they often are), you're also sharing the exact spot on the lake. I was able to use EXIF data to pull GPS coordinates right off photos here at OFC, so this is not theory, it is real. Some devices make use of A-GPS, meaning you don't need an actual GPS to get coordinates. These devices use cell towers to triangulate your location. I don't own such a device but they are quite popular (most Apple tablets for example). I don't know if it's possible to turn this off. What's more, EXIF also stores the exact time and date the picture was taken. I found photos of fish caught out of season right here on OFC (people just wait and post them when in season). The DO's and DONT'S: DO turn off your GPS when you don't need it. It sucks up lots of battery power anyway. DO use photobucket or imgur to upload photos. These services strip EXIF data on upload. DON'T fish out of season, jerk. Here's an example using a turtle picture I took a couple months ago: Anyway, hope this saves someone from inadvertently sharing their favorite spot(s).

Green lake with no real access? Sounds amazing - I've only ever fished it when there was "road" access. Never actually fished Blue, only seen boats dragging riggers. So I guess it is splakes they're catching.

My brother and I (mostly my brother) have hit those lakes upward of 500 times. What else to do when you work there and your shift is over at 4pm? I don't fish the area anymore so might as well pass on some honeyholes to fellow OFCers... Couple honey holes others probably aren't aware of; Green Lake can be good for brookies depending on their mood. Since you're on a canoe the nasty launch won't be a problem. Located at 46.807294, -79.246702. Another good spot for brookies is Quarry Lake, it's rarely fished and needs to be portaged into; 46.728506, -79.354081. Launch at McConnell, the portage is located in the SW arm of the lake. It should be easy to locate the portage. The guys at the quarry actually cut a trail into this lake about 6 years ago, so maybe you could ask them for access. Blue lake is LOADED with perch, if you're bringing along kids, maybe that could be a fun spot. Also Lakers in there. For pike, Sucker Lake without a doubt. I would C&R here though. Reynolds Lake was producing monster walleye for years, despite its small size. Turns out the MNR was unaware there were walleye in there, and they were constantly stocking it with little specks. Whoops? You can get bass almost anywhere. No real size unfortunately. @Joeytier; it really is sad how bad some of the lakes have become, last time I fished Threetrails all I caught were dink smallies.

It's only a matter of time before these make their way into the great lakes, if they haven't already. Hopefully there is some sort of biological mechanism that keeps their population down. Otherwise we could see the best fishery in the world ruined.

I can sympathize with that, but it's not forum policy. Nor is it communicated anywhere that an introduction is expected. If the site leaders expect/recommend an introduction, there's a few ways to ensure that happens; 1. The "welcome to OFC" email you receive when registering could include a link to pertinent resources for the site, including a link to an introduction thread, or forum. 2. The general forum could remain locked (for posting) until a post is made in the introduction thread/forum. 3. A sticky could explain that it's polite/expected to introduced oneself. Those are just ideas by the way - by no means am I telling people how to run things. On my forums members have to read the "site survival guide" before proceeding and it works great. Introduces people to site functionality too. As for Musky's initial response... there's always a more diplomatic method to express a valid message .

That's something I was wondering personally. Pretty near put my entire vehicle in the water at the Trout Lake launch in North Bay about a month ago. Water was murky and I couldn't see that the launch is messed right up (seriously, it looks like an excavator dug up the slabs). They currently have it barricaded off.

Most forums have a "replacement variables" feature where you can force any word to be replaced automatically. On my forums, anyone that drops a "DERP" will see "DERP" instead. In this case the owner/programmer wanted to enforce the use of OFC because users were still typing out O-F-N.

Both, we could have kept going but a couple guys had conservation licenses.

I prefer the term "tangler". Manitoulin, right out of south baymouth.

Went on a charter last week on lake huron and the thermocline was at ~45ft. We pulled 3 lines at 40, 45 and 50ft. Most of our hits came from those 2 lines. We also had 4 lines sitting at 20-40 feet, they got maybe 1/4 of our hits. We had another line dragging the bottom and 2 lines running dipsies at various intervals. In 8 hours of fishing we got 24 hits and limited out. The other group that was with us fished deeper and didn't do well at all. Small sample size but I would consider fishing the thermocline if you can.

Bass is great for such a pressured lake, you can get them all over the place near docks etc. Size isn't always there but quantity is. Eyes are extremely tough to catch in August unless you're far in the southern arm of the lake. I abandon walleye fishing completely during this month. If you're going to try, 8-dusk is prime time (somewhat late compared to the usual). Lakers are always a sure bet provided you have the setup. Use live bait.

Thing is, I'm interested in the plot charting (on the fly) made possible by the sonarphone setup. Seeing the thermocline is a bonus!

Turn off mobile data and you won't get ads! Edit: in theory. I do this with all my other apps and it disables them.

Pretty sure the app would keep the ipad from shutting the screen off? Navionics on ipad does have other advantages. If you get a t-box, you can plot charts on the fly. It's the only way to do it, unless you spend $1500 (minimum) on an onix.

I understand that, but even average units can see thermoclines these days. I just don't know where this particular unit sits.

Thinking of picking up a t-box (http://store12459.americommerce.com/store/p/27-SP200-T-BOX.aspx) and hooking it up to a tablet. My only concern is; will the unit allow me to see the thermocline? Anyone have an idea?

Beautiful fish, nice job on the release!

I'm heading north in 6 weeks. We bring worms, but after 7 days the worms are pretty much dead even if we bury them and keep them cool. Minnows aren't allowed on the lake so that's out of the question. As an alternative, I'm thinking of using artificial bait of some sort. I've used Powerbait dough before for Rainbow trout and it worked pretty well, but have never tried it for Walleye. Should I try dough? Eggs? Cured minnows? Gulp minnows? Anything else out there that actually works?

Colored line? Changes colors every 5 feet or whatever. You can also buy super cheap line counters that clip right onto your rod.

I know all about this. You'll be fine! For most people retinal detachment occurs in one eye, then the other. If you're unlucky, it happens in both eyes at once and you risk losing sight in both eyes. Looks like you caught it early. They can probably repair it or mend the detachment and prevent any further loss. Your other eye will be monitored closely to ensure you don't lose sight in that one. Unfortunately you won't get to do any sports that involve the slightest impact, including golf. Luckily there's little impact in fishing .

If all else fails try Angler's Atlas, they have thousands of free maps. 3500+ for the Algonquin Park area, 50% of which have contour maps.

Since I started this thread I guess I'll give it some closing comments. Made it out yesterday and today. Took the parents out yesterday evening and dragged lures around - didn't even get a nibble (as discussed earlier). Went back today with some live bait. 6in suckers (went with Luc's advice). Got a couple bumps, one knock-off and caught a smallish laker. Released without any issues. Spoke to several other guys and nobody seems to be doing well, guess it wasn't a good week for trout this time. Maybe next year.

Went out for 4 hours yesterday and... nada. Fishing with gang trolls + spoons at varying depths. Depth finder wouldn't show a thermocline (first time in deep water with that unit) so I was pretty bummed about that. Spoke to 2 other boats and they didn't have any luck. Also spoke to a guy at the landing that caught one while trolling for eyes (too big, released). Take 2 tonight with threaded minnows.

What the MNR actually said is this; From what I understand, Lake Nipissing is potentially the most productive lake in Ontario (for walleye, that is). We can stock it all we want, but if anglers are pulling 30% of Walleyes out each year, the population will continue to decline. We might as well deliver fingerlings directly to peoples' doorstep or put them straight into nets. Here's an excerpt from the management plan regarding stocking efforts and their effect on the walleye population; I don't claim to fully understand or agree with any decisions being made. What I'm saying is that the ecology of the lake is complicated, and that these important decisions should be left to the people that spend inordinate amounts of time and effort studying the water bodies in question.

With all due respect, most people haven't a clue how fisheries work. Even those with generations of experience on the lakes (myself included). Fishing experience does not necessarily translate into understanding of fisheries and aquatic wildlife. The MNR staff with decades of experience have a deeper understanding of how fisheries work than the public. That I can guarantee.