I have had a camp on Black…

I have had a camp on Black Bay, just south of Bent Island, since 2019. During the summer months (June through August), my family and I typically fish for walleye once a week, with the exception of a few weeks during mayfly season when the fish are not biting.

I want to express my strong support for conservation measures that protect and sustain fish populations in Black Bay. However, I do not support the proposed change to the walleye slot size. In the past six years, I have not caught a walleye under 20 inches in Black Bay. This suggests that smaller fish are already scarce or difficult to access in the current fishery, and adjusting the slot size as proposed would not meaningfully improve conservation outcomes while further limiting harvest opportunities for recreational anglers.

I also do not believe the entire Black Bay should be opened up to walleye harvest. The sanctuary is an important protection for spawning and juvenile fish and should remain in place. I do, however, support the proposal to close the fishery for the winter months, as this will reduce pressure on the population during a sensitive period.

In my view, conservation efforts should be based on the actual conditions anglers are experiencing on the water, along with scientific population monitoring. I encourage the Ministry to continue tracking walleye populations closely and to consider whether other measures (such as habitat protection, enforcement, or seasonal closures) would be more effective than adjusting size limits in this case.

Thank you for considering my input and for your ongoing work to protect the long-term health of Black Bay’s fisheries.