Rice Lake resident

The average bluegill out of Rice Lake weighs more like 8 or 9 ounces. A one pound sunfish would certainly be longer than 7" and they can only take 30 of those on a sport licence.

50 per day would be a much more fair limit for sunfish than a 300 possession limit. An angler who visits for two weeks could then take home 750 fish.

You're right. Rice Lake doesn't have redear sunfish which is yet ANOTHER different breed of the cichlyd family of bass. I had no idea there were so many different kinds. They're even related to the cichlyds you might keep in an aquarium. Rice Lake does have the pumpkinseed which is the native fish and the bluegill which is the invasive species, still two different fish.

The shipping regulations have not changed. The species must be recognizable which means they must have skin on them. 300 filetted and frozen bluegill fit in a small cooler and weigh approx 20lb.

The RLTA did have a trophy for largest bluegill for years. We haven't had one for 4 years as we were encouraging people to throw the big ones back. I'm sure we'll be bringing back the trophy. Looks like now we'll be getting rid of the walleye trophy as you can't keep any big ones. Most of them were kept in live wells and successfully released anyway but we're not encouraging anyone to bring a large walleye off the lake for a photo when regulations say you can't keep them.

All sunfish, bluegill are bass as well. I'm not sure what the point is anymore either. Happy fishing!

The following quote is from the Northumberland Today:

 

 

 

 

Seeing as how you replied to my other posts Jodi, perhaps you can answer a few questions for me in regards to this article.

 

If you are open to reasonable discussion and not just a pissing match, I am happy to try to respond. I don't claim to be an expert angler since I don't have time to fish but will answer what I am able to.

 

 

What is the limit for panfish in the rest of Ontario?

Why?

 

What is the difference between a Bluegill, Pumkinseed and a Sunfish?

http://www.ibnature.com/Redear,Bluegill%20Sunfish.pdf

Pumpkinseed and sunfish are the same fish.

Bluegill (Lepomis macrochirus)

Redear Sunfish (Lepomis microlophus)

 

Why are people throwing the Sunfish back, are they too small?

 

A bluegill has more meat and is less bony. If you hold a bluegill and sunfish of the same size you can feel the extra meat along the back bone of the bluegill.

 

When the RLTA voluntarily staked out the spawning areas, did anyone fish these spawning areas?

 

The volunteers, with the help of a few guests, found spawning areas where the male bluegill were relatively large but they were never marked as the MNR rescinded their offer to fund markers. The RLTA was not going to buy markers since they have no authority so it would be pointless.

 

 

Has poaching only been a problem since the new fishing regulatoins?

 

Of course not. I may not know much about fishing but why are there boats out at night right now? We've seen people fishing close to shore when bass season is not open. What are they fishing for? The extended season just opens more OPPORTUNITY.

 

If Bluegill are "stabilized" in Rice Lake, how is the size base holding? If it has increased in size, by how much? If it has decreased in size, by how much? Let's take this over a 5 year term.

 

Have you read the study? That answers that question. I only have anecdotal information. Our guests noticed a slight increase in size last summer. These guests will now be keeping the large males as they are restricted in numbers.

 

Is it only pickerel (walleye) that are subject to undue stress and are likely to die?

 

As an angler I'm sure you know the answer to that. Muskie are even more sensitive. Bass are a lot tougher.

 

Would this happen to Bluegill, Perch, Muskie as well? Would this be applicable all year round or only during the winter months?

 

It is particularly true in winter, especially if it's very cold, but is also true in summer.

 

Why is Icefishing pointless for Bluegill?

 

Perhaps you should do some research on that. From what I've read their metabolism slows down and they don't feed as much. They go into a period of semi dormancy.

 

Why is Rice Lake not as safe as other lakes?

 

Does the Trent Severn Waterway only travel through Rice Lake, bypassing all the other lakes between Lake Simcoe and Lake Ontario?

 

Are you serious?

 

Is Rice Lake the only lake that is shallow on the TSW?

 

I don't know. I'm sure you do. My concern is Rice Lake. Others can worry about lakes they understand much better than I.

 

Could you point out where all these springs are?

 

I know of two right in the bay in front of our resort. We mark them on the rare times we can skate on the lake. There is also a huge pressure crack that comes up without warning. I know of one truck that got stuck on it this winter. He called 911.

 

I look forward to your answers.

 

Regards,

 

Ron Reyns

Why don't you stick to the argument that is true and can be worked on...

"We believe the new limits are a contributing factor to a decline in reservations and occupancy. Since socio-economics must be considered in limit studies, we would ask the MNR to keep this in mind when the next set of regulations come out. In the mean time, we will aggressively market the Rice Lake area as not only a fishing destination, but as a family recreation area as well and ask for Tourism Ontario's help in this transition."

Have you read Terry Quinney's report to Peterborough county? It speaks nothing of biology but only about potential revenue for the county. As for Tourism ONtario...that's just funny. Are you ready for another tax?

Your initial tactic failed..and yet it continues to be modified, even to the point it is contrary to the initial argument, and no one has stopped to say..THIS IS WORKING!

You cannot win without the support of the stakeholders, which believe it or not is not just you. It is all the residents of Ontario, specifically all the fishing license holders.

Get these guys on your side if you want a chance.

Our guests are also licence holders and pay a lot more for that privilege than you do. They will speak with their wallets and revenue for licences will continue to go down as they have for the past 3 years. Whatever. We'll survive and I guess the fishery will eventually prove who is right.

I think Ron was making the point that bluegill are sunfish, just like pumpkinseed and redear.

 

The regs don't differentiate, the 300 limit is for all sunfish combined.

The regs don't differentiate but the MNR's study DOES. They are a different fish and if you can't tell the difference I invite you to come on down and one of our US anglers will point out the differences to you. Pumpkinseed, redear and sunfish are different names for the same fish. The study states that bluegill numbers have stabilized. This is despite agressive fishing for 30+ years so with the decreasing numbers of US visitors decreasing over the last few years that should be more than enough for these numbers to INCREASE which may not be good. Our concern is what will happen to other fisheries if they are allowed to flourish practically unhindered.

I never said NO one is coming but we have had several cancellations. That in itself would not bother us if these limits were biologically warranted as we DO care about the future of the Rice Lake fishery. Please try to be open minded and try to see that there may be a different perspective than the one you see. Our guests have been throwing large males back. With these new regs they will keep them as they're limited to numbers. You can't blame them. If they can only keep 300 fish after a 2 week vacation they might as well make it worthwhile.

Most resort owners are fishing licence issuers and take this responsiblity seriously. We have often educated our guests on the dangers of "accidently" catching bass when not yet in season, even if they throw them back, yet we've seen plenty of "locals" obviously fishing for bass out of season. We've worked with the MNR to try to increase the size of bluegill. We ask our guests to voluntarily through large pickerel back as they are the breeders. We are not objecting to any of the regs other than the bluegill. We care about the lake.

Dollars to doughnuts says your IP address would take me right to Alpine Resort...

 

Good luck with your endeavors, Ice fishing is here to stay, so are the limits of 300 Bluegill and Pumpkinseed. You did know that Bluegill and Sunfish are one in the same don't you? By the way you have articles written up in the News Paper, you mention that your clients throw back all the Sunfish and only keep Bluegill smaller than the size of your hand. Good thing all your clients have BIG HANDS!

 

Geesh, we finally get 1 person who thinks too much to stop and now we get the next one....

 

Sincerly,

 

Ron Reyns

(Ron Reyns Maintenance)

905 372-0512

I have not posted before as I have no desire to get into pointless arguements but this one is just funny. How can an "all knowing angler" not know the difference between bluegill and sunfish? They are very similar but since you have quite a few opinions on the subject you really should understand the facts.

"Differences between bluegill and redear arise when comparing the habitat

and feeding requirements of the two. First of all, Redear sunfish are very

structure oriented, unlike their Bluegill counterparts who will frequent open

waters. Like bluegill, redear sunfish consume small aquatic insects. However,

snails and other mollusks comprise a large portion of the Redear’s diet. Although

both species will inhabit sand and gravel beach areas during their

spawning season, Redear sunfish usually reproduce only once per season,

reducing the time they will be in the beach area"

The rest of this article can be found at http://www.ibnature.com/Redear,Bluegill%20Sunfish.pdf. There are a couple of pictures to make it easier for you to understand. Americans prefer bluegill (the invasive species) as it has more meat and is less bony than the indigenous sunfish.

Go ahead and check my ip address. I am Jodi from Alpine Resort. If you'd like to see the difference come on over any time in June and some of our REAL fishermen will show you the difference and might even give you some tips on cleaning fish so there is no waste.