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Fishing along the Toronto Waterfront


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http://www.thestar.com/news/article/1152772--anglers-free-to-fish-at-ontario-place

 

Anglers free to fish at Ontario Place — for now

Published On Tue Mar 27 2012Email Print (4)

 

 

Professional angler David Chong was warned near Ontario Place by a Toronto police officer that it is illegal to fish along the Toronto waterfront. That isn't the case and police are looking into the matter.

DAVID COOPER/TORONTO STAR

Emily Jackson

Staff Reporter

 

Urban anglers can once more cast their lines at Ontario Place knowing they’re not outlaws.

 

The attraction has no official policy on fishing, said Sarah Harris, spokeswoman for the Ministry of Tourism, Culture and Sport.

 

While that isn’t exactly a blessing, it means people can fish along open parts of Ontario Place’s public shoreline as long as they have proper licences and follow natural resources ministry regulations.

 

Toronto’s fishing community was sent reeling after the police marine unit told professional angler Dave Chong it was illegal to fish at Ontario Place in early March.

 

The park is partially closed for revitalization, but its public parking facilities — a popular pike fishing spot — will remain open until construction begins, Harris said.

 

Police were under the impression people are not allowed to fish in that area, said Const. Tony Vella. However, it’s not clear which law they were enforcing so they are looking into the matter further, Vella said.

 

Anglers must keep their lines in along most of Toronto’s Inner Harbour because of a variety of rules set by different owners.

 

The confusing rules gained attention after Chong, a prize-winning fisherman, had his (pleasant and nonconfrontational, he said) run-in with police.

 

Chong, who also runs a youth fishing charity, believes police were enforcing a Toronto Port Authority rule that only allows fishing from the shoreline in designated zones. But the port authority rule only applies to land it owns, making it irrelevant at Ontario Place.

 

Since Chong is a popular voice in Ontario’s fishing community, his situation sparked somewhat of an outcry.

 

In response, the port authority announced Tuesday it will start talks on “the rights of individuals to enjoy the pleasure of fishing in Toronto-area waters” with the city, Harbourfront Centre, Ontario Place, Waterfront Toronto and the natural resources ministry.

 

“Fishing has never been banned, and once appropriate sites are chosen by landlords and marked for public use, we are happy to host a fishing derby this summer,” authority board chairman Mark McQueen said in a statement.

 

 

 

Good For You Guys!!! It's about time this whole water front issue was resolved. So many times when I fished down there I had to deal with people trying to inforce their Bull made up laws full on knowing what my rights were. The "Grey" area over where it's legal to cast down there was just a pain in the butt and needed to be resolved.

 

 

FHR

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Does anyone know if you need the Harbour Licence if you are docked in Outer Harbour marina and are only going straight out into the lake from the docks and not into the inner harbour? It's a little unclear to me.

Area of jurisdiction extends from the eastern beaches to the Humber island area . All are part of the greater "Port" waters and require the harbour license.

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