Michael_Brown

It's getting hard to sleep. Three more sleeps until the entire Kawartha's open to year-round fishing. The ice fishing is going to be awesome. Pike on Balsam, crappie on Rice, perch in Buckhorn, mixed bag but lots of action on Chemong, etc. We have waited over 90 years to access these plentiful waters and enjoy our sport year-round just like the rest of the province, just three more sleeps. It is not just the ice fishing, it's the ice out panfish action on a sunny March day with the kids or some nice coldwater bullheads in April, let alone the lake season Muskie action in the end of November. This is an opening that should be remembered by anglers, not just for the oppourtunity to be able to fish here in the Kawartha's but to the change in thinking about why fishing is important. It is more than a bunch of people catching fish, it's quality time with family and friends, outdoor stewardship, tourism, economic investment, new business oppourtunity, education and the chance to meet new people while enjoying a day outside. Angling and the money spent by anglers to enjoy their sport has always been important to this region, these new regulations will only increase the benefit to our local communties. Thank You MNR staff and other members of the FMZ 17 advisory council for all the work over the last three years, on these regulation changes. Jan. 1, 2010, myself and some friends will be fishing on the south side of the Chemong Lake causeway on the Ennismore side. Everyone is welcome to join us. Bridgenorth Sports at the causeway will be open at 6 am for your minnow buying enjoyment. Be safe and enjoy the new angling oppourtunities. Have a great new year. Mike Brown Stakeholder for Recreational Anglers on the FMZ 17 Advisory council.

Pike are very good eating, you just need to be a little more careful when cleaning them as they have "Y" bones that run down both sides. Filllet them, find the line of Y bones and remove and them cook them in any way you would cook a walleye. Have fun.

Nice staple job. Did you do that yourself? I have seen lots of broken arms and wrists in my line of work and you need to wait for a while to heal. Usually they don't want you to move your fingers too much. Since it has been 3-4 weeks your probably looking at some major physiotherapy to get your fingers moving properly again. It may take a while, if ever to regain full motion. Remember that some people who break their legs that badly still have a limp after long term recovery. At least your still walking on the grass instead of fertilizing it. You will have to join Ron on the OFC injured reserve list. Of course one sympton of the major concussion is that maybe your thumb never worked right in the first place. Better ask a friend. Work on using the remote control with your left hand, it might be a long winter. Take care.

My buddy has a normark drill and I have never seen the thing not start on the first or second pull. Fairly lite also for the amount of ice the thing devours. That will be my next power auger purchase.

Hey Fishindude: Don't worry about voicing your opinion, that's why it's yours. The new winter angling oppourtunities are for panfish, pike and course fish only. Walleye is not open for angling. Any Out Of Season fish are to be released as quickley as possible. This new season should only benefit the walleye in the lake. Removing a bunch of adult panfish during the new season will reduce the number of predator/competitor for young walleye. Besides Scugog is closer to the GTA and has allowed winter walleye angling and it still is a great fishery. If you change your mind and want to give winter angling a try, feel free to come out and join us at the Bridgenorth Winter Panfish Festival. Holes and gear will be provided if required. It should be a lot of fun. http://www.clearvieworganizing.com/22.html Also the number of surveys completed about the proposed regulation changes was over 900. Lots of members of this board took the time to voice their opinion. Have a great holiday.

To stay on topic. The ice on Rice Lake looks good. Stay away from the river/current areas, most panfish will be on the flats and weedline drop offs anyway. The best part is that Rice and all other Kawartha lake are going to be open for fishing. I love the photo of the ice huts sitting on shore in Bewdley. The increase in angler oppourtunities is fantastic for this area on many different levels; tourism, business, youth angler recruitment, panfish lunch, etc. Hope to see you out on the ice. Mike

Hey Ron: Sorry to hear about your shoulder. Glad to hear it wasn't a workplace injury. Seeing as how fishing is such a physically demanding sport, evident by our sculpted physicques, you should be in rehab for several years. The agony of sitting in one place for hours not moving would be absolute torture on your shoulder. I'm sure the doctor suggested a less taxing activity like....uhmm.....playing cribbage? So reading between the lines, 5hrs in hospital + 6 weeks recovery = 8-12 months of whining. I have seen the size of fish you catch. Do you really think lifting things that small will cause any problems? Since you just steal other peoples spots anyway you shouldn't have to drill any holes. Just play the sympathy card. Maybe you could get the lovely bride to clean your fish for you, so as not to stress your shoulder. So how exactly do you rehab an upper body fishing injury? Sit in the truck and drink coffee but let your minnows live? Thanks for backing out on me today, now I have to wrap Xmas presents. ! I will play along with this story about your shoulder for now but if you can't make our Jan.1, 2010 fishing date on Chemong, I will let the world know that the doctor actually said it is a masturbation tendonitis issue. Do you play for the Leafs by any chance? How exactly did you type this post?

Chemong Lake. I have waited a long time for this. To punch a hole in a Kawartha lake (besides Scugog) and haul up some tasty panfish. Myself and several close friends will be fishing on the south side of the causeway on Chemong Lake on Jan. 1, 2010. The famous Ron Reyns might join us for a panfish beating and possibly the Elvis of Ontario ice fishing Matty Garvin might make an appearance. Give us a honk on the way by or better yet grab your gear and join in. Lot's of room. (large coffee with two milk) Frank at Bridgenorth Sport and Marine has assured me he will be awake and open at 6 am on Jan. 1, 2010 with lots of fresh minnows to donate to the local panfish herd. Have a great holiday season. Mike BWPF_OOD_Ad.pdf

Here you go. NEWS Ministry of Natural Resources New Opportunities And Limits For Local Anglers McGuinty Government Supports Sustainable Fisheries Management NEWS November 18, 2009 New rules about fishing in the counties and regions of Durham, Peterborough, Kawartha Lakes and Northumberland will come into effect on January 1, 2010. The revised regulations in Fisheries Management Zone 17 will include: Year round fishing for northern pike, yellow perch, crappie and sunfish Extended fall fishing season to December 15 for bass and muskellunge Stricter limits for walleye, to protect declining populations New sunfish limits, to maintain healthy populations These changes are based on the Fisheries Management Zone 17 Advisory Council’s recommendations, public input and scientific research. The 2010 Fishing Regulations Summary that covers all of Ontario will be available by January 1 at licence issuers, Service Ontario/Government Information Centres and online at ontario.ca/fishing. QUOTE “We’re working to ensure fish populations remain sustainable and continue to provide angling opportunities for years to come. I am pleased that new ice fishing seasons and extended fall angling will offer additional year-round opportunities for anglers in the Kawartha Lakes area.” – Donna Cansfield, Minister of Natural Resources QUICK FACTS Advisory councils are composed of local stakeholders who provide the Ministry of Natural Resources with management advice and assist in developing fisheries management plans. The lakes and rivers of Zone 17 are the second most fished areas in the province, exceeded only by the Great Lakes. More than 1.3 million anglers in Ontario contribute nearly $2.5 billion to the province’s economy. LEARN MORE Find out how the Ontario government is encouraging public involvement in fisheries management. Stefanie Millon, Minister’s Office, 416-314-2212 Media Desk, Communications Services Branch, 416-314-2106 Jamie Prentice, Peterborough District, 705-755-3303 ontario.ca/natural-resources-news Disponible en français http://www.mnr.gov.on.ca/en/Business/LetsF...age/264442.html http://www.mnr.gov.on.ca/en/Business/LetsFish That should have everything you need to read. Good Luck and have fun ice fishing in the Kawartha's.

Hi Everyone: Here is a copy of the panfish festival add that will be run in the next issue of Ontario Out of Doors. Looking forward to having a fun day with old and new anglers alike. Check the website for more information or if you would like to volunteer. http://www.clearvieworganizing.com/22.html Have a great holiday. BWPF_OOD_Ad.pdf

The 300/15 limit is not a typo. The limit is meant to reflex the need for a higher limit for non-resident anglers who travel here in the spring to fish for sunfish. Most of them spend a week at local cottage rental businesses and a higher limit was established to allow a weeks worth of fishing. Only 30 are allowed over 7.1 inches to prevent overharvest of the larger sunfish which are important spawners in the fishery. If they want to only keep larger fish than the 30/15 limit will apply. Hope that helps.

They may well be trying to protect the lake trout but then close lake trout season or use a large slot limit all season on the lakers to ensure protection year-round. Restricting access to all the other species in the lake is limiting angling oppourtunties unneccessarily. Closing entire fisheries to protect one species is old thinking and there is lots of other options.

I just checked the new regulations and Chandos is still closed to winter fishing. It should be open to several species it remains closed. This lake is in Zone 15 and feel free to contact the local MNR in that area and offer your opinion. They may have a fishery advisory council set up for that zone. Feel free to contact the council and ask if opening Chandos to winter angling is being considered. Pike and panfish could probably be angled for without impact to the other species in the winter. If they are trying to protect the lake trout or walleye just close those species and open the rest. Actually I think I'm going to call.

The new 2010 fishing regulations is found at the link below. (half way down page) http://www.mnr.gov.on.ca/en/Business/LetsFish/ Lots of changes that benefit anglers. I have attached the associated news release. New_Fishing_Regulations_In_2010___New_Opportunities_For_Anglers.pdf

Just a quick update to mention as this festival is growing every day. Frank at Bridgenorth Sports and Marine will have great deals during the festival and may have a few displays set up that day. With some cold weather coming up and very little snow on the current ice in this area it should help with freezing. More ice means longer ice fishing season. We are still looking for more volunteers. This should be a great day out on the ice for everyone involved.

I found some today at Gannon's in Oshawa. Great little bait.

If it is a mole and you would like to be rid of it. Find a plastic pin wheel on a metal rod, the kind that blow and spin in the wind. Maybe a nice sunflower type. Stick in the ground beside the composter, it will drive any mole within 50 feet away. Most dollar stores carry them but I'm not sure this time of year. I had moles in my yard one spring and my elderly neighbour suggested a pinwheel. Two pinwheels cleared my acre lot of all moles. The lovely bride thought plastic sunflowers were nicer than moles.

The winter free family fishing weekend is on the same weekend as a couple of "fishing shows". The panfish event is from 10am-4pm on Saturday the 13th. I'm actually planning on attending a fishing show on Sunday but of course that is Valentines Day and a whole seperate set of conflicts. Nice photo Ron. Did anyone tell you the water is fairly shallow in that part of Chemong before you did the winter faceplant? Thank you to those who have volunteered so far, nice to see anglers give up some time investing in the future anglers.

Hi Curtis: I am completely pumped for Jan. 1, 2010 to arrive. I have been involved with the fishery advisory council since it started and I used to call MNR staff about this years ago and ask why is this fishery closed. It has taken a lot of work by a lot of people to bring these fantastic angling oppourtunities to this area. The thought of trying some of these great panfish fisheries in the winter is very exciting. These lakes have very healthly panfish populations that can definately support winter harvest. Harvest of adult panfish and pike during the winter and early spring should only help the walleye populations to recover quicker, remember most walleye in the lakes are 2 inches long not 24 inches. These lakes did not have crappie, sunfish and very few walleye when they closed the winter fishery back in the 1920's. It's nice to see progressive regulations that benefit the resource and the anglers. These lakes have had tremendous use by other user groups during winter months for years, it will be nice for us to be able to get out and enjoy our sport year-round. As for the access, garbage, on-water safety and enforcement they are issues at all times of the year on all waterways in the province. It is up to us as anglers to conduct ourselves in a courteous, responsible, safe manner while enjoying time with our friends and family. Good Luck.

The thing that strikes me as odd, is that something many people have been questioning is the hiring of more CO's and all the conversation has been around the wages. I'm glad to see two postions posted. I am also glad to see a few members have taken advantage of this oppourtunity to look into these positions. I personally hope they hire the most qualified people they can get. I'm fairly sure the job is not all roses in riding around in boats and sleds checking out polite, courteous, well informed outdoors people. Yes Irishfield, we have had this conversation before. Maybe we could include members salary in their profile and then we could have good debate around the various pay rates of different professions. All in fun, actually wouldn't it be nice if someone from this board was successful at being hired.

Huts are allowed with the same rules as the rest of the province. Lots of new business oppourtunties that did not exist last year. Great news for our local economy. Frank at Bridgenorth sports is involved with the winter panfish festival. It should be a great day of fishing with kids. All proceeds are being donated to the United Way. http://www.clearvieworganizing.com/22.html Have fun finding a new favorite winter panfish spot.

Thank you for the responses. If you are interested in becoming a volunteer please e-mail your contact information to Andrea. The festival e-mail is on the event page. http://www.clearvieworganizing.com/22.html This event will be free and we expect people will be arriving and departing all day. We need volunteers for the day or only an hour or two. Whatever level you would like to be involved we would love to have you join us. Bring the family and make a day of it. Also Ron, you can do anything you want at this event. You had a very large part in bringing this ice angling oppourtunity to people of this region. I hope when you see hundreds of happy kids enjoying their day angling on the ice, you realize just what has been accomplished. Bring the family and plan on spending the day with friends, I'm sure we can find something for you to do. The Kawartha Chapter of MCI have contacted us and have very graciously offered to help with this event. Big Thanks to the club. I know your teasing Jer about the ice but we have confirmed that over the last 10 years the ice depth averages 20 inches thick at this location at that time of the winter. Lots of good ice for winter fun. This should be a very fun day and a celebration of youth angling and family fun. Please join us on Feb. 13, 2010, out on Chemong Lake.

Giant Halibut off the Queen Charlotte Islands BC. Just the thought of hooking something that is 200-400lbs and flat like a door gets me going. Interesting fish the way their eyes move as they grow. I have heard they have to shoot the big ones before thy can be boated. I actually met someone years ago who went to the Queen Charlotte's on vacation and never went home. They called their adult children to sell their home, bought a place and have lived there ever since. That has to be special. The scenery, ocean and giant fish. Someday...

Well we will have to agree to disagree. I will keep my rose coloured glasses because I like them better than the dark ones that only see negative. I hope people enjoy the new oppourtunies with their family and friends. Spend time angling with their children in this great region and have a safe and happy winter.

Stoney and Clear are going to be interesting because they have shallow and deep habitat that should support good panfish populations. Some northern lakes have great crappie fishing in deep basins. We have caught fish as deep as 60 feet. These fish are mainly feeding on zooplanton and tend to suspend alot. The shallower lakes in the Kawartha's should see most of the fish relating to weeds as the main forage will be minnows and other small snacks. Stoney and Clear might have both. I was thinking the large weed flat in the bottom of Clear might be good. Of course access to the lake will be an issue. Good luck.