Lunker Larry

The Ottawa Riverkeeper has championed an initiative to help save the American Eel in the Ottawa River. This amazing creature has been all but wiped out as a result of damming the river over the last 60 years or more. The American Eel starts its life in the Sargasso Sea. The leaf-shaped eel larvae drift on North Atlantic currents for up to one year before reaching coastal waters. They then metamorphose into a life stage where they are transparent and are called glass eels making their way up the St Lawrence to the Ottawa River. The few that make it past the dams live in the river for 10 years or longer. ALL the eels in the Ottawa river become female and when migrating back down river to get to the Sargasso sea to spawn less than 1% survive the turbines of the Carillon Dam. The American eel has only one single breeding population. If they are declining in one area, even if declines are not evident elsewhere, the population overall will be in further decline. It is of concern that the recruitment of eels in the Upper St Lawrence River and Great Lakes in Canada has declined by over 99 percent. The Carillon dam is slated to undergo $750 million dollars of renovations, offering a once in a lifetime chance to incorporate modifications that would give the eels a chance to move around the dam to restore their numbers. Here's a link with information about why this opportunity should not be missed: https://www.ottawariverkeeper.ca/a-ladder-at-carillon-could-save-the-american-eel/?mc_cid=a512683cb9&mc_eid=a025aaacf6 Please consider taking a few seconds to add your voice to those calling for an eel ladder to be included in the planned renovations. Follow this link to sign the petition: https://www.ottawariverkeeper.ca/what-we-do-2/issues/endangered-species/the-american-eel/eel-passage-at-carillon/?mc_cid=a512683cb9&mc_eid=a025aaacf6

This weekend, City Stream Watch will be hosting its annual invasive species workshop at RVCA headquarters in Manotick. If you are interested in learning how to identify and manage some common invaders, the Ridea Valley Conservation Authority will be hosting the workshop this Saturday, August 17th from 9am to 12pm. A presentation that will teach you about many aquatic and terrestrial invasive species will be given along with displays for participants to see these species up close and staff will be there to answer any questions you may have.

“Wildlife” in New Policy Proposal Notice: Title: Proposal to establish a hunting season for double-crested cormorants in Ontario Title: Proposal to establish a hunting season for double-crested cormorants in Ontario Ministry: Ministry of Natural Resources and Forestry Date Proposed: 2018-11-19 Comment Period: 45 days: submissions may be made between November 19, 2018 and January 03, 2019. Comment Deadline: 2019-01-03 (please check the registry to confirm deadline) URL: http://www.ebr.gov.on.ca/ERS-WEB-External/... Registry #: 013-4124 2 Excerpts Mention “Wildlife”: “...establish a bag limit of 10 cormorants/day with no possession limit. 5) Prescribe shotgun and shot size/type requirements consistent with migratory bird hunting regulations outlined in the federal Migratory Birds Regulations. This would include use of shotguns that are not larger than 10 gauge, that cannot hold more than three shells and use non-toxic shot as described in the migratory bird regulations. 6) Allow hunting from a stationary motorboat. The Fish and Wildlife Conservation Act currently prohibits anyone who kills game wildlife (including game birds), or who possesses game wildlife killed by hunting, from allowing that meat to spoil. Via this posting, the Ministry is also consulting on a proposal to amend the Fish and Wildlife Conservation Act to add provisions so hunters could allow cormorant to spoil. This proposal would add provisions to the Act, so that persons who lawfully hunt (or possess) cormorants could be exempt from this requirement and would be subject to conditions that require the person to retrieve and dispose of the carcass. Should this proposal proceed, it may be accompanied by regulations to implement the exemption and requirements. To accompany the proposed hunting seasons, the Ministry will implement a cormorant monitoring program to assess population status and trends. Monitoring of cormorants will allow the Ministry to assess the impacts of the hunting season and to adjust cormorant hunting regulations if necessary to address any concerns about population sustainability. The Ministry intends to amend the Fish and Wildlife Conservation Act and supporting regulations (including Ontario Regulation 670/98 Open Seasons, Ontario Regulation 665/98 Hunting) to implement the proposal should it proceed. No additional opportunity for comments will be provided. Purpose of Policy We are proposing to list the double-crested cormorant as a game bird, create a hunting season in Ontario for population management and make related changes. This proposal would be implemented through a series of regu...” “...process. Questions about this collection should be directed to the contact mentioned on the Proposal Notice page. Other Public Consultation Opportunities To comment on the proposal, please submit your comments online by clicking the ‘Submit a comment’ button, or by reaching out to the contact(s) listed. The Ministry may notify some groups that otherwise are unlikely to become aware of the proposal. Contact: All comments on this proposal must be directed to: Wildlife Section PUBLIC INPUT COORDINATOR Ministry of Natural Resources and Forestry Policy Division Species Conservation Policy Branch 300 Water Street Peterborough Ontario K9J 8M5 Phone: (705) 755-1940 Fax: (705) 755-2901 To submit a comment online, click the submit button below: (opens in new window) Additional Information: The documents linked below are provided for the purposes of enhancing public consultation. All links will open in a new window 1. Ontario hunting regulation (665/98) 2. Ontario wildlife schedules regulation (6 69/98) 3. Ontario open seasons regulation (670/98) 4. Ontario Fish and Wildlife Conservation A ct ...” The Environmental Commissioner of Ontario is not responsible for any consequences arising from missed Registry notices. Under the Environmental Bill of Rights, the Environmental Registry site at http://www.ebr.gov.on.ca/ is the authoritative source for public notices about environmental matters being proposed by Ontario government ministries.

Fish and Game Clubs can contact OFAH Invading Species Awareness Program to get invasive species signage to put up at boat launches. A great / easy to do project! The Province is Working With Partners to Create Awareness of Invasive Species and Protect the Environment Ontario continues to combat invasive plants and animals in order to protect the environment and allow people across the province to continue to enjoy rivers, lakes, parks and other green spaces. Read the news release. https://news.ontario.ca/mnr/en/2017/08/ontario-continuing-fight-against-invasive-species.html

Some bad news about Invasive Species..... Asian Carp (specifically Grass Carp) have been confirmed in the St Lawrence River downstream of the Ottawa River. e-DNA was used and it is detecting them throughout the basin and even up some tributaries. This suggests there are multiple individuals and potentially an established population. Good News, with the implementation of the new Ontario Invasive Species Act, various Asian carps and snakeheads are no longer available alive from fish markets in Ontario. It will be more difficult to acquire live fish for release into Ontario's waterways. You can read more about this new Act here:https://www.ontario.ca/page/stop-spread ... e-species/

HIGH IMPORTANCE Here is another chance to review and comment on the Draft Strategic Policy for Bait Management in Ontario. http://www.ebr.gov.on.ca/ERS-WEB-External/displaynoticecontent.do?noticeId=MTMxNzQ3&statusId=MTk5ODc5&language=en\ You should look carefully at the Bait Management Zones proposed. Consider how these zones attach the VHS Zone / waters (Great Lakes, St Lawrence and Lake Simcoe) to other inland lakes/rivers that could be infected by movement of baitfish and leeches within these new bait zones. Infected bait would be allowed to legally move east to the Ottawa R (FMZ 12) through FMZ 15 and FMZ 18. Bait would no longer be restricted to the VHS Management Zone previously in place. VHS is extremely harmful to muskellunge and bass populations. VHS killed over 60% of the muskellunge population in the St Lawrence River. It should be recommended that FMZ 18 be a separate stand-alone Bait Management Zone and that the VHS Zone be maintained as its own separate Bait Management Zone. Perhaps FMZ 12/Ottawa River Baitfish regulations should also be revisited. This proposal allows movement of baitfish to the Ottawa R from adjacent FMZs / Bait Management Zones. It is really important that these comments are made by as many concerned anglers as possible, please share with your networks. Comments are due by June 27, 2017. Draft Strategic Policy for Bait Management in Ontario Posted on the Environmental Registry February 28, 2017 SUBJECT: Draft Strategic Policy for Bait Management in Ontario Posted on the Environmental Registry We would like to inform you that a draft Strategic Policy for Bait Management in Ontario has been posted to the Environmental Registry for consultation. This draft policy proposes new rules regarding the harvest, use and movement of baitfish and leeches for both anglers and commercial operators. This draft policy is intended to minimize the ecological risks associated with the harvest, use and movement of baitfish and leeches while reducing the complexity of current management regimes and providing business certainty to the bait industry. This draft policy is the result of a comprehensive review of provincial bait policies led jointly between Fisheries Section (Species Conservation Policy Branch) and Protected Areas Section (Natural Resources Conservation Policy Branch) and has involved extensive internal engagement across the Ministry and external engagement with a stakeholder group. This policy outlines a number of new proposals, including: Changes to the list of permitted baitfish species Limiting the movement and storage of commercial bait to newly defined ‘Bait Management Zones’ (BMZs) across the province Limiting personally harvested (angler) bait to the waterbody where it was collected in (i.e., no overland transport) for Southern Ontario and to the BMZ for Northern Ontario, with documentation required in the north to allow overland transport Restrictions on the possession and harvest of bait in native Brook Trout lakes Restricting bait use, harvest and storage in certain classes of provincial parks and in conservation reserves Suggested direction for improving and simplifying aspects related to commercial bait licenses (e.g., allocation, dormancy, compliance, species at risk) More effective training and reporting for commercial bait operations For additional information regarding the draft Strategic Policy for Bait Management in Ontario, please visit ontario.ca/ebr and search # 012-9791. The Ministry of Natural Resources and Forestry is seeking public input concerning this posting for 120 days from February 27, 2017 to June 27, 2017.

HIGH IMPORTANCE Here is another chance to review and comment on the Draft Strategic Policy for Bait Management in Ontario. http://www.ebr.gov.on.ca/ERS-WEB-Extern ... anguage=en\ You should look carefully at the Bait Management Zones proposed. Consider how these zones attach the VHS Zone / waters (Great Lakes, St Lawrence and Lake Simcoe) to other inland lakes/rivers that could be infected by movement of baitfish and leeches within these new bait zones. Infected bait would be allowed to legally move east to the Ottawa R (FMZ 12) through FMZ 15 and FMZ 18. Bait would no longer be restricted to the VHS Management Zone previously in place. VHS is extremely harmful to muskellunge and bass populations. VHS killed over 60% of the muskellunge population in the St Lawrence River. It should be recommended that FMZ 18 be a separate stand-alone Bait Management Zone and that the VHS Zone be maintained as its own separate Bait Management Zone. Perhaps FMZ 12/Ottawa River Baitfish regulations should also be revisited. This proposal allows movement of baitfish to the Ottawa R from adjacent FMZs / Bait Management Zones. It is really important that these comments are made by as many concerned anglers as possible, please share with your networks. Comments are due by June 27, 2017. Memorandum: Draft Strategic Policy for Bait Management in Ontario Posted on the Environmental Registry February 28, 2017 SUBJECT: Draft Strategic Policy for Bait Management in Ontario Posted on the Environmental Registry We would like to inform you that a draft Strategic Policy for Bait Management in Ontario has been posted to the Environmental Registry for consultation. This draft policy proposes new rules regarding the harvest, use and movement of baitfish and leeches for both anglers and commercial operators. This draft policy is intended to minimize the ecological risks associated with the harvest, use and movement of baitfish and leeches while reducing the complexity of current management regimes and providing business certainty to the bait industry. This draft policy is the result of a comprehensive review of provincial bait policies led jointly between Fisheries Section (Species Conservation Policy Branch) and Protected Areas Section (Natural Resources Conservation Policy Branch) and has involved extensive internal engagement across the Ministry and external engagement with a stakeholder group. This policy outlines a number of new proposals, including: Changes to the list of permitted baitfish species Limiting the movement and storage of commercial bait to newly defined ‘Bait Management Zones’ (BMZs) across the province Limiting personally harvested (angler) bait to the waterbody where it was collected in (i.e., no overland transport) for Southern Ontario and to the BMZ for Northern Ontario, with documentation required in the north to allow overland transport Restrictions on the possession and harvest of bait in native Brook Trout lakes Restricting bait use, harvest and storage in certain classes of provincial parks and in conservation reserves Suggested direction for improving and simplifying aspects related to commercial bait licenses (e.g., allocation, dormancy, compliance, species at risk) More effective training and reporting for commercial bait operations For additional information regarding the draft Strategic Policy for Bait Management in Ontario, please visit ontario.ca/ebr and search # 012-9791. The Ministry of Natural Resources and Forestry is seeking public input concerning this posting for 120 days from February 27, 2017 to June 27, 2017.

Here’s your chance to give Fisheries and Oceans Canada some advice about improving fish habitat protection, they are currently conducting public consultation on the Fisheries Act. http://www.letstalkfishhabitat.ca/ Hope everyone’s having a great fall season!

Didn't know this was going on. Since we're all on the water frequently it is something we can keep a look out for. Sturgeon is closed all year in Zone 12 and 18 https://www.thestar.com/news/queenspark/2016/10/16/ontario-us-authorities-appeal-for-help-to-stop-sturgeon-poaching-in-great-lakes.html

Some times the bushing on the prop drive shaft can dry out. Turn it by hand a bunch of times and see if there is any resistance. Easy to open up the motor head and check the bushings, bearings and brushes.

The intent of the Ecological Framework for Recreational Fisheries Management is to manage and monitor fisheries at a larger Fisheries Management Zone (FMZ) scale to provide optimal social, cultural and economic opportunities and values derived through the biologically sustainable use of aquatic resources across FMZs and the province, and to enhance public input and involvement in the fisheries management planning process. As a result, Fisheries Management Advisory Councils that include representation from First Nations, stakeholders, the science community and the public have been established. The intent of the councils is to help the Ministry of Natural Resources and Forestry (MNRF) develop direction and objectives for the management of fisheries resources. This new direction will help the MNRF to better address fisheries sustainability, evaluate the effectiveness of management actions and address other resource management concerns on a fisheries management zone basis. Fisheries Management Zone 12 (FMZ 12) includes portions of the MNRF administrative districts of Kemptville, Pembroke and North Bay. The fisheries resources of FMZ 12 are used by First Nations, resident anglers and non-resident anglers as well as commercial fishers. They provide important recreational, economic and cultural importance to communities within the zone. Prominent sports fish species within FMZ 12 include walleye, largemouth bass, smallmouth bass, northern pike, channel catfish, and muskellunge. The MNRF, in co-operation with the FMZ 12 Advisory Council, have developed a range of fisheries management objectives and strategies, which will be specific to maintaining fisheries within the unique ecological and social features of FMZ 12. These objectives and strategies form the basis of the draft Fisheries Management Plan which is being presented to the public for review and consultation prior to preparation of a final plan. The FMZ 12 plan for the Ottawa River does not contain any regulation changes, all regulation changes on the Ottawa River were made prior to the establishment of the FMZ 12 Advisory Council as part of a regulation harmonization project with Quebec. The information collected during the planning process for the Fisheries Management Zone 12 Fisheries Management Plan will be used by the public, the private sector, municipalities and government agencies to help guide future management of fisheries and aquatic resources to ensure the sustainability of the aquatic ecosystems in FMZ 12 This proposal has been posted for a 45 day public review and comment period starting April 15, 2016. If you have any questions, or would like to submit your comments, please do so by May 30, 2016 to the individual listed under "Contact". Additionally, you may submit your comments on-line. All comments received prior to May 30, 2016 will be considered as part of the decision-making process by the Ministry if they are submitted in writing or electronically using the form provided in this notice and reference EBR Registry number 012-6583. Please Note: All comments and submissions received will become part of the public record. Comments received as part of the public participation process for this proposal will be considered by the decision maker for this proposal.

The draft Ottawa River Management Plan is now on the Environmental Registry for public review. http://www.ebr.gov.on.ca/ERS-WEB-External/displaynoticecontent.do?noticeId=MTI3NTE0&statusId=MTkyNTQ3&language=en

Used to fish sea run steelhead in BC in the early 70's. Had a Vogg rod and a Dam Quick 330 spinning reel. Never tied row bags. Used to salt salmon row to a consistency where you cut pieces off and packed it in a ball around the hook. It used to "milk" beautifully and was deadly on Steelies, Dolly Vardon and cutthroat trout. Nothing fancy. A pocket full of hooks and split shot and off we went. Still have that reel. Also had a Mitchell reel. Hated it and whenever I went to use it the line had crushed the spool. Still got that reel too less spool. Oh yeah, and I still have a handful of those hooks left

Grew up in Niagara Falls close to Lundy's Lane. We dug up musket balls in our garden. Pretty neet when you consider the battle of Lund's Lane and Beaver Dams was in this area during the battle of 1812 against the US.

Grew up in Niagara Falls close to Lundy's Lane. We dug up musket balls in our garden. Pretty neet when you consider the battle of Lund's Lane and Beaver Dams was in this area during the battle of 1812 against the US.