KraTToR

How did this turn into a tournament thing??? lol It seems that largies are ok because they spawn in warm shallow bays, not so much for the smallies, especially on the great lakes. If you fish the opener at long point you'll notice that the SM population isn't what it used to be, quite possibly the hundreds of boats pulling them off their nest before the eggs have hatched or the fry haven't reached the freedom stage?

The Ministry is seeking public input on proposed changes to the bass angling season in Fisheries Management Zone 20 (FMZ20) including separate open season dates for Largemouth and Smallmouth Bass and options for early season bass angling. Fisheries Management Concern The Ministry is concerned about the future of the Smallmouth Bass (SMB) bass fishery in FMZ20. Recent science indicates the current open season date (3rd Saturday in June) provides little protection to spawning fish which could result in a long-term population decline and reduced social and economic benefits. The current open season date for Largemouth Bass (LMB) provides sufficient protection. Fishing Seasons – Bass Management Typically, bass angling season is closed during spawning time to improve reproductive success. Bass are especially vulnerable during spawning because they guard their nest against predators and can be easily caught by anglers. Nest predation by Round Gobies and other species following the removal of the parent, even for short periods of time, has been well documented. Bass Spawning Time in Lake Ontario In southern Ontario, the timing and duration of bass spawning is closely related to water temperature and generally occurs from mid-May to mid-July. In Lake Ontario, LMB and SMB are typically found in different habitats which warm up at different rates in the spring. SMB that occupy deeper cold-water habitats in the main Lake and in the St. Lawrence River have been observed spawning much later than LMB in the warmer near shore areas. Changes to the FMZ20 Bass Season in 2013 In 2013 the opening of bass season was made earlier by one week to open on the 3 rd Saturday in June. At the time, it was believed that the earlier date aligned well with LMB spawning activity but there were concerns from stakeholders that SMB may not be sufficiently protected. MNRF acknowledged the potential risk to SMB and agreed to monitor the fishery and make adjustments if necessary. New Science - FMZ20 Largemouth and Smallmouth Bass spawning Queens University researchers, led by Dr. Bruce Tufts , conducted a three year study from 2014-2017 to evaluate the amount of protection provided by the current closed season for bass angling. The study examined the timing of spawning and development from egg to the swim-up fry stage (free swimming juvenile fish) for both LMB and SMB in the eastern basin of Lake Ontario and the St. Lawrence River. Reaching the swim –up fry stage (free swimming juvenile fish) is considered a nest protection threshold. Once “swim-up” is attained the nest is considered to be successful. The researchers conclude that there are important differences in the timing of spawning between the two species in Lake Ontario and the Upper St. Lawrence River and that the current dates for the open season provide minimal protection to Smallmouth Bass. Largemouth Bass and Smallmouth Bass can be distinguished by several anatomical features. They also prefer different habitats that impact spawning duration and the rate of juvenile development. Proposed Bass Fishing Season Change Fisheries Management Zone 20 Keys findings from the Queens University Study: • By the 3rd Saturday in June (June 19 during the 3 year study) on average: • 58% of LMB nests had reached the swim-up developmental stage when parental guarding is complete. • 8% of SMB nests reached the swim-up development stage. • The difference between the bass species largely reflects the habitat preference for each species. • Nest observations were modelled using average seasonal temperature data to estimate the additional time required to improve spawning success. The data from the study indicates that on average 50% of SMB nests should reach swim-up stage by July 1st (Figure 1) Fisheries management perspective: achieving 50% nest success (nests with swim-up fry) should be considered a safe long-term management goal, while striving for 80% success is unrealistic and doesn’t typically occur in nature. Figure 1: By Bass season opening weekend (June 19 during 3- year study) only 8% of Smallmouth Bass nests have swim-up fry. An opening date of July 1st would offer protection for 50% of Smallmouth Bass nests. Management Options Considered: The Ministry, with the support of the FMZ20 Fisheries Advisory Council, considered the new research and evaluated a range of management options to improve protection of SMB including: 1) maintaining status quo - keeping bass opener the 3rd weekend in June; 2) change the opening date to July 1st for both LMB and SMB; 3) dividing the Zone into smaller sub-zones with a mid June opening date for warm areas (embayments) and July 1st for cold areas (open water areas) and 4) split the open season date for LMB (mid June) and SMB (July 1). The Ministry and the FMZ20 Council also considered and developed options for early season (pre-spawn) bass angling opportunities. Similar early season angling opportunities exist in several US States and in North Western Ontario. Proposed FMZ20 Regular Season For Bass Different opening season dates for Largemouth Bass and Smallmouth Bass: • Largemouth Bass – 3rd Saturday in June to December 31 • Smallmouth Bass – open 1st Saturday in July to December 31 Maintain the aggregate catch and possession limits - Sport (6) and Conservation (2) for LMB and SMB combined. Rationale: This option provides sufficient protection for Smallmouth Bass, maintains and enhances angling and social and economic opportunities and is not overly complicated. Proposed Early Season Angling Options 1. Early season angling for LMB and SMB (January 1 to May ) with catch and release (no harvest). 10 2. (January season SMB Early for LMB and 1 to May 10) Conservation with reduced daily catch limit - Sport (2) (1) (catch and - exception: no early season harvest release only) in small waterbodies in FMZ20 such as: Lake Consecon, East and West Roblin Lake, Fish Lake, Lake, Lake on the Mountain Wellers Bay, Pleasant Bay, Hamilton Harbour 3. Maintain status quo – no early season In both early season options (1 & 2) the season is closed between May 10 and the proposed opening date. (No bass angling would be allowed when the majority of bass are staging and spawning.) Provide Feedback The public is encouraged to provided feedback on the proposal changes to the regular season and the early season angling options. Please indicate by March 31, 2020 whether you support the proposed regular season and which early season option you prefer. Send your comments to Lake Ontario Management Unit 41 Fish Hatchery Lane, RR#4 Picton, ON K0K 2T0 email: [email protected]

Bay of Quinte - PM me if interested.

Heading to the wood lot today to see what I can find. Stay tuned

yea I just looked, forecast is crap!

BTW, you can order direct from Ranger but I don't think there's any difference in pricing. Check with the folks on Walleye Central, I've seem some pretty cool custom work on that site.

Thanks for all the input everyone We'll we've had enough rain I figure, once the temps go up a bit things should start happening. Neat picture Smitty! Pine plantations? There are a few around (went through some on the snowmobile). Thanks, I'll keep a lookout. misfish, patience bud,

BOQ yesterday, 51 deg inner bay, 48 deg out on the reach. Fishing totally sucked, only heard of 4 'eyes being caught. There were a fair amount of boats out as a lot of waterfront properties have their own launch. OPP stopped us 2x, once in Hay Bay, 2nd time in the reach.

NNW of frankford. My wood lot runs up one of the ridges in the area.

Thank you!. Well I have pines and poplars..lol. There's also a hydro easement going through the property so I'll check along the edges of that. Could be turkeys, ive seen them around before. Stay tuned

I prefer not to stuff them before they go into the oven...

My dealer has a good supply and they are especially big this spring. He did state that due to the pandemic, stocks are low and prices will climb. Gawd I hate bending over tho..

I recently purchased 30 acres in Quinte West with about 60% wood lot. When I walked the property last week I noticed an area where the leaves were disturbed so I was wondering if it was an animal or someone foraging. Regardless, now that the warmer weather is upon us can someone help me with what areas to look in? Also please before we start discussing it's poisonous cousin (false morel), I know the difference, just never spent serious time foraging. TIA

Exactly! This happens all the time. You have a retail outlet that sells enough volume to force the manufacturer get a special unit, at a discount. The conversation goes "how can you build a similar version of your bestseller for less? most buyers going for the big box store version are weekend warriors so they don't need all the features and they'll never wear it out anyways" I remember reading a detailed report on what Walmart does for a business class. Its amazing what they'll go through to save pennies.

The water in KW is about 25 grains of hardess so I've been using a water softener since I moved there. These are the guys I've always dealt with and as you can see, you can get a decent model for $1600 plus installation. Watersmartsystems

Coydog

The exact reason I got a dash cam for my vehicle. Ends the argument in a hurry

THanks David, this is awesome! For clarity, this is only available on the mobile app, Plat+, and Hotmaps Plat. NOT the standard Navionics + which I think most of us use. !?!?

You may find a few closer to shore on the south side of Kettle Point Reef this time of year as it looks like viable spawning grounds (not sure of the regs on Huron) but typically in the great lakes, Walleye are pelagic which means they school, suspend (above the thermocline) and hunt for baitfish. During the summer months this means that they are out deep, typically in 60 FOW and up (90ft in august). Therefore, not really YAK fishing as as we experience prevailing westerly winds, you could find yourself in deep trouble if the wind picks up. If you want some real near-shore excitement, Salmon and trout are typically in 35 FOW or less this time of year and I bet kettle point has some great pike and bass fishing.

I have access to a private ramp and from what I understand, these waters hold big craps... Its just finding them. Mine you, as all year classes seem to stick together, if I can find 1, I'll have enough for dinner

Yea, lots of wind here yesterday and -2 this morning. That damn March warm spell we seem to get every year now fooled me again! Anyways, Friday and Saturday look great to at least get the boat wet and check some water temps..

Yes, unfortunately much of the business I do takes me away from home. BOQ is not my favourite fishing spot but I do ok there in May. I figured that there should be a few slabs out there for the taking in some of those back bays where the water is warming up. I really wanted to get out on Percy's Reach as the Pike season is open there all year but the launch is closed Buggernutz.

Yep, that's in the Massassauga Provincial Park.

Please send pic of boat and motor???

HI Mike, long time eh? Thanks for the tips.