Good Morning, I am pleased…

Good Morning,

I am pleased to hear that the MNR is proposing to open the walleye fishery north of Bent Island in Black Bay of Lake Superior. The closure of the walleye fishery and the resurgence of warm water species in the bay (e.g. walleye, perch, pike and smallmouth bass) have decimated the prolific steelhead and salmon fishery. This has been a very disappointing outcome for many anglers in northwestern Ontario. The Black Bay steelhead and salmon fishery was very unique and heavily utilized by local and visiting anglers. Northwestern Ontario has an endless number of lakes that are full of walleye, pike and smallmouth bass. The walleye closure imposed by the MNR and other environmental factors have destroyed this very unique salmon and steelhead fishery. Not only has it disappointed anglers but it also has a negative effect on our local economy. Ask our local business on where the money is being spent. Is it the angler buying a pack of jig heads to pursue walleye or is it the angler buying a pair of waders or downriggers to pursue salmon/steelhead.

Although the damage is already done on the steelhead and salmon fishery, there is a potential to maintain what little is left and provide additional angling opportunities to pursue walleye and pike in Black Bay. I have spent a fair amount of time open water and ice fishing Black Bay. I have noticed a large increase in the number of walleyes both north and south of Bent Island. I have also noticed an even larger increase in the number of pike north and south of Bent Island. When fishing Black Bay (north or south of Bent Island), catch rates among myself and other anglers is 5-10 pike for every 1 walleye caught. Also, it is very rare to catch a walleye in Black Bay less than 24 inches due to the quick growth rates. Therefore, I am very confused with the proposed size restrictions for both walleye and pike. The proposed size restrictions will further reduce the opportunity for anglers to harvest pike and walleye out of Black Bay. By eliminating the current walleye limit of 2 fish (any size) south of Bent Island and implementing a size restriction, it will essentially turn the whole bay into a catch and release walleye fishery (all walleyes caught are above 20 inches). Myself and other anglers will stop fishing the bay if these size restrictions are implemented. This proposal is reducing the already limited fishing opportunity in Black Bay. Reducing the allowable harvest to the proposed slot size and reducing the season length is unnecessarily restrictive for the following reasons.

- there is an existing 2 walleye limit with no size restriction south of Bent Island and very few anglers are actively participating in that fishery.
- the walleye population in Black Bay appears to be maximized and under no threat from the current regulation.

Please consider the following possession limits for walleye and pike:

- maintain the existing 2 walleye of any size possession limit, and extend it north of Bent Island, to include the entire bay.
- allow an interim 1 walleye possession limit in the winter fishery (Jan.1 to April 14) until an analysis of effort and harvest can be conducted.
- allow a 2 pike possession limit with only one greater than 90 cm.

I agree, it's time to extend the walleye fishery north of Bent Island in Black Bay. These decisions take a really long time to process, but please get this proposed regulation right. We need to improve angling opportunities for all species in Black Bay.