Michael_Brown

I'm looking for advertizing information for this board. I'm a firm believer in supporting the people who support you. I'm wondering how or who to contact to find out more information. Great wbesite with tons of local and out of area information Michael

Always a good fish camp bet to down a shiner or two. Of course eating carrot pieces that you have pulled from a goldfish tank was usually good for grossing people out. I just hope his ratings stay good or he may become the Ozzie of fishing. Good job Dave promoting the sport.

Thanks Craig. I'm looking for general public events that are well run and attended. I have heard ICAST is pretty awesome.

Hi Guys: I'm working on a big project which I will announce soon but I am looking for some information concerning popular fishing trade shows. I am aware of the shows in central Ontario but the bordering states have some great events that I wish to learn more about. If you attend fishing/tourism events in the Northern United States, which are the most popular and well attended? Thanks for any help. Mike

I have the same thing near my tree stand but it is a fisher.

Izumi's foundation sponsors these kids events and they are always worth the effort to attend. Great job by everyone involved to get kids and their families out fishing and spending time together outside. I always have the highest regard for the sponsor's who support these youth angler recruitment projects because that is the future standing on the shoreline. If we don't get them out fishing young, we usually never bring them into the sport later in life. Congradulations to everyone who volunteered at this and other similar events across the province.

Nice to see the fish are still biting. How's that paperwork coming? Fish...1 Overdue work...0 I hear they will be biting for the next couple of weeks as well. Maybe you should call in sick. Just let me know what days..cough...cough...sniffle.

http://www.cancleanservice.com/ Mention your an OFC member for a 10% discount. 705-868-8853

http://www.clearvieworganizing.com/ Proud organizer of the Bridgenorth Winter Panfish Festival. Mention you are an OFC member for a 10% discount. 705-874-0519

http://www.gojobs.gov.on.ca/Preview.aspx?JobID=27011 http://www.gojobs.gov.on.ca/Preview.aspx?JobID=27013 Two more positions posted today. One in Kingston and one in Clinton (?). This makes about ten positions posted since the new year. Unless a bunch of CO's retired recently, they must be adding a few extra jobs. Good luck to anyone interested.

I guess we have found out where the 5%-8% of anglers that were harvesting thousands of sunfish on Rice Lake have gone. Gluttony is offensive regardless of the species or area. Glad to see the enforcement being followed through.

http://www.gojobs.gov.on.ca/Preview.aspx?JobID=26730 Here is another CO position posting, Owen Sound area. Good Luck to anyone interested.

http://www.gojobs.gov.on.ca/Preview.aspx?JobID=27358 The MNR has posted an Intelligence Investigations Officer opportunity for the Pembrooke area. I guess they are trying to find someone intelligent from Pembroke. Sounds like an advanced CO position. Good Luck to any that may be interested.

Credit is due to Mike Reader of the OFAH for a good article in May issue of Ontario Out of Doors magazine, concerning the new panfish limits in zone 17. A nice plug for the Bridgenorth Winter Panfish Festival as well. Thanks Mike. FMZ 17 regulations can work for all In January 2010, the Ministry of Natural Resources (MNR) introduced new Fisheries Management Zone 17 (FMZ) regulations, which for the first time in eighty years provides for an all year fishery in the Kawarthas for yellow perch, black crappie, northern pike, and sunfish. Sport fishing licence holders are able to catch and possess a limit of 300 sunfish, 30 of which may be greater than 18cm (7.1 inches). Conservation license holders have a possession limit of 15 sunfish, any size. The change came about after extensive input, most notably from the FMZ 17 Advisory Council, one of three pilot councils formed in 2008, as part of the new provincial Ecological Framework for Fisheries Management. The council is comprised of several stakeholder groups, including the O.F.A.H., which is highly supportive of the changes. The overharvest of larger sunfish can contribute to the stunted growth of populations, due to the opportunity for smaller sunfish to spawn, and therefore, devote more energy to spawning rather than growth. Managing for quality-sized sunfish means incorporating regulations to protect a number of larger sunfish from being harvested. We also support the harvest limit of 300 sunfish per angler, as it regulates sunfish populations. The O.F.A.H. supports the creation of a year round fishery for these species because it allows for greater angler opportunities and will contribute to the recruitment of new anglers. In many ways, ice fishing is not only easily accessible, but may require less financial investment on the part of the beginning angler. Winter fishing also makes a great family activity and will provide In additional economic return for local bait shops and tackle stores, at a time of year when business is traditionally slower in many cottage and tourist areas of the province. In fact, the benefit to local businesses and area residents was one of the key factors behind the Ministry's decision to move to year round fishing in the zone. Unfortunately a small group of tourist operators in the Kawarthas have suggested that the recent regulation change to FMZ 17 will cause a decline in U.S. tourists on lakes within FMZ 17, and on Rice Lake in particular. At the heart of their disagreement with the change is the new possession limit of 300 sunfish per angler, which they believe will jeopardize the fishery and hurt their business during the summer months. They have suggested instead that the limit be raised to 500 with the fishery restricted to six months a year, an idea founded not on science, but on self-interest. Based on statistics from the 2005 Survey of Recreational Fishing in Canada produced by the Department of Fisheries and Oceans, there were 1.4 million licenced anglers in Ontario (not including those under 16 and over 65 who are not required to be licenced). Of these, two thirds were Ontario residents, the rest from out of province or from the United States. Licence fees alone contributed almost $39 million to the province's Special Purpose Account (SPA). Rice Lake is the sixth largest fishery in the province, and the Kawartha Lakes region is second only to Lake Huron in terms of popularity for recreational fishing. With the addition of year round fishing in the Kawarthas, these numbers are expected to grow significantly. The economic benefit to local businesses is also significant, with the Rice Lake fishery worth at least $50 million. The creation of a year round fishery in the Kawarthas was a long time coming, and was the result of extensive hearings through the FMZ council. It also recognizes a new brand of tourism, which attracts as many Ontarians to the area as it does those from out of province. Depending solely on the influx of American anglers, particularly at a time of economic uncertainty, ignores the huge potential of the market here at home. Witness the success of the Bridgenorth Winter Panfish Festival on Chemong Lake this past January, which attracted 1,000 participants during Ontario Family Fishing Weekend, 600 of these being children experiencing ice fishing for the first time. What better way to bring families together, to enjoy time in the great outdoors, and introduce a new generation to the joys of fishing. Aside from Lake Simcoe, Rice Lake is one of the area's most notable destinations for anglers, and the ability to fish year round will, in our view, enhance this reputation and bring more business to the area. Over time, we hope that the small number of tourist operators on Rice Lake who are seeking to derail this great new opportunity will come to see it not as a detriment, but as an important recreational and economic benefit for all. Also a recent post in the Northumberland news. http://www.northumberlandnews.com/opinion/article/153119

"Decrease sunfish limits to 275 in zone 17....just to get me name in the paper." A pure publicity stunt to gain votes with the 1.4 million anglers in the province. Votes in the Rice Lake area would drop by 3 or 4.

I would start an educational campaign, educating everyone that no matter what language you speak or colour of your skin, if you live here, you are canadian and have the same rights to fish as everyone else. I would hire a bunch of really smart people like biologists and wildlife enforcement specialists and then listen to their advice and let them do their job. I would eliminate the non-resident conservation license and just have one non-resident license. All canadians would be considered resident. I would increase stumpage and aggregate fees to an acceptable level for utilizing our resources. I would focus on habitat restoration or creation to encourage natural reproduction of native species. I would stop stocking the great lakes...unless the baitfish populations rebound. No sense stocking fish that have nothing to eat. I would invest heavily in youth outdoor recruitment activities. If we don't get them hunting and fishing young then our numbers will continue to fall. I would eliminate most of middle management and increase the field staff. I would stop listening to the rumblings of small interest groups and make decisions based on the resource. I would stop all use of consultants, they waste money to tell you what your staff already know. I would ban the use of the words "splake" or "F1 Backcross" and only stock species able to reproduce if conditions allow. I would introduce and enforce regulations concerning the fish and wildlife imports through the pet trade. I would release several adult bull elk tags to a lottery system draw and use the funds to support the species program. You would have to hunt with a CO as your guide. The CO would be selected by a lottery draw as well. This should improve CO moral and ensure accurate animal selection. I would eliminate the turkey hunting course for new hunters and combine it with the hunter education program. I would sell tags for sturgeon fishing in areas where the population is sustainable. The funds raised would be returned to a restoration program. I would bring back the spring bear hunt. I would replace the deer and turkey tag system. If the population is to be reduced then allow two/three turkeys or deer per hunter for one fee. Instead of selling extra deer for $38.50. I would replace computer answering services with real people. Probably just as well I don't get placed in charge, people fear change. These are just my opinions but I do think that they do a good job with what they have. Funding cuts by every political party who has been in power makes it tough to operate effectively.

I have no idea but I have been hearing of more CO sightings recently. They used to be like meeting sasquatch. I just post these in case any of the board members may be interested. A few OFC friendly CO's could be helpful someday, besides I think most outdoor minded people think a CO position would be interesting. Regardless new or replacement positions at least they are hiring.

I'm not quite sure but I think this would make about 6 posting since the new year. One had a native requirement but it is nice to see.

http://www.gojobs.gov.on.ca/Preview.aspx?JobID=27010 Here is a link for two employment positions as Ontario Conservation Officers. Sioux Lookout and Fort Frances . Good luck to anyone interested.

Great news on the enforcement of the new regulations. Sad thing is that for the 80-90 years here in the kawartha's this behaviour was legal for panfish. This is why the work of the MNR and fishery council was so important. Glad to see an end to the abusive overharvest. It will take a few years for everyone to get the message but thankfully these changes are here to stay.

Teasing from the guys aside. The fish is a fallfish and they are somewhat common on Rice lake. The speckled or brook trout (both common names) would be considered a rare catch for Rice lake as it is normally a fish that prefers cool water habitat. I would like to point out that the trout was not in season and hopefully it was released. The trout opener is this Saturday.

I still miss the concept of how their voluntary program needs to end. If it was so successful then continue. Of course for those anglers who did not want to participate in the voluntary program they now have a regulation stopping them at 30 over 7 inches. I don't think allowing someone to harvest a total of 380 panfish under the new regulation is "jerking them around". The other program they wanted to try was to identify the sunfish spawning areas and then have rotating santuaries on those spawning areas. Nothing like pinning a giant "FISH HERE" sign on an open spawning area. I would actually like to meet with the RLTA at one of their meetings to dicuss this issue with all of their members and present some ideas that might benefit their tourism opportunities. Of course they might not want me there but at least I can offer.

I thought I would post this news release about the charges laid in the Kawartha's. Great job by our area CO's for looking after these issues. Considering all the ice huts and anglers on area lakes this winter and the full boat lauches this spring. I would have to say we have had a fantastic positive response to the new angling opportunities here in the Kawartha's. I certainly have been enjoying them. $2,500_in_Fines_for_Four_Kawartha_Lakes_Ice_Fishermen.pdf

Yes you can eat carp roe. Realize that carp are one of the most popular freshwater gamefish on the planet. Try search European and Asian recipes. Also panfish roe is excellent. I don't normally eat it, but I know a couple of people that would rather eat the roe skeins than the rest of the fish. I have no problem with people trying non-game species for eating. Most are actually excellent table fare. Catfish and Ling would be two examples of fish that are not normally targeted in Ontario that are fanatstic table fare. In fact I have not harvested a walleye or trout in a few years, I have switched all of my fish harvest to panfish. Better eating, more numerous and the people I fish with are really good with bobbers. If you harvest a fish, use as much of it as you can. If your carp roe tastes like corn, your using too much chum.

I'm not sure if anyone else has noticed but I have see ads on this website for a couple of Rice Lake Cottage resorts. Good for them. This issue was pushed by a few individuals claiming they represented the RLTA. I know they did not represent the whole association and have had discussions with quite a few members who were concerned about the poor image they were being branded with. Rice Lake is a fantastic fishery, with some outstanding cottage rentals facilities. If your looking for a place to stay you will find a couple of ads on this website to help with your needs. Credit where credit is due. Thank you for the comments. Mike