The MNR just released their new regulations for Zone 17 (Durham, Peterborough, Kawartha Lakes and Northumberland) which will take effect January 1, 2010.
There will now be year round fishing for northern pike, yellow perch, crappie and sunfish so ice fishermen will finally have a turn at fishing their favorite Kawartha Lakes hot spots during the winter months. The MNR has also extended the fall fishing season to December 15 for bass and muskellunge. They have created stricter limits for walleye, to protect the declining populations in Zone 17 and added new sunfish limits, to maintain healthy populations
With more lakes for ice fishermen to fish I wonder if there will be a decline in anglers on the Bay of Quinte this winter.
For more details check out the PDF below.
http://www.mnr.gov.on.ca/278711.pdf
And also visit the MNR News Release:
http://www.mnr.gov.on.ca/en/Newsroom/LatestNews/278773.html
Local angler’s Matt Seeley and Chris Sherman came in 1st place in the Quinte Fishing Series that took place Sunday, August 9th. A full field of 75 boats partipated in this event which made for some stiff competition.
The weather was a key factor in the day with a number of teams planning on fishing “big lake” smallies but the higher, constantly changing winds and spotty bite had some teams changing their game plan partway through the day. One of the teams that made the run to the big lake only to turn around at noon and come back to the “bay” and switch to largemouth was the eventual winners.
You can read more about this via EMC Community Newspaper
Here is another article explaining how the Bay of Quinte tournament scene is growing every year. If you are out on the bay around 7:00am any weekend it’s not hard to see that more and more tournaments are being held here.
Tournament Director Pete Thompson said that the pre bass fishing this week has been very heartening to anglers. “Some fair sized weights have been caught this week so we are expecting a good catch this weekend, but you never can tell for sure.”
Thompson explained that there are a few changes to the series this season. “Anglers have to qualify for the Quinte Classic now, by fishing at least three of the six events,” he said. “With the success of past years we are proudly confident that with this format, which most circuits use, we can offer a $5,000 grand prize.”
You can read more about this via EMC Community Newspaper
Bob Izumi & Derek Strub
Bob Izumi among other professional anglers have high praise for the bay and eastern Lake Ontario’s bass fishery. They claim that the rise in zebra mussels and the invasion of gobies have helped, not hindered the bass population.
Water clarity doesn’t work for all species, however. Tufts said the Bay of Quinte fishery, once regarded as one of the premier walleye fishing areas in eastern Canada, is losing that status. Walleye prefer less clear or murky water. When the once-heavily fished Hay Bay region’s water became clearer, the schools of walleye vacated those water haunts, going out to deeper water.
While walleye fishing success has dipped in the Bay of Quinte, the scrappy battling bass is quickly filling that void.
“When the Bay of Quinte was murky, it was the king for walleye. Now it has shifted so conditions are better for bass,” Tufts said.
Changing water temperatures also are a factor for the bass population. Dr. John Casselman, retired Ministry of National Resources scientist, has done extensive research on climate and productivity of fish species.
You can read more about this via Belleville Intelligencer.
Well the day is finally here and the hogs are ready to play. I only had a few hours in the morning to head out but we did ok. Left the Herchimer Ramp at 5:30 and fishing till 9:00. We landed 9 bass in the 2 pound range and lost a few more.
Topwater worked well for a search bait, are lure of choice was Rapala’s Skitter Walk , it’s great zig zag motion and deep loud rattle brings the fish around everytime.
Once the topwater bite slowed down we changed over to Texas rigged tubes and landed a few more.
All the fish came off of weedlines in 6 – 10 feet of water.
