GBA Update Summer 2024

FISHERIES

By Bill Steiss, Chair, Fisheries Committee

New Rules for Northern Walleye: Keep the Big Ones in the Water!

W alleye is a terrific fish, rich in omega-3 fatty acids, B vitamins, and selenium, making it a favourite choice for North American and local restaurants. Historically, walleye has a strong relationship with Georgian Bay and Lake Huron First Nation communities, providing

Further decline in this female population may risk the walleye’s ability to maintain itself, ending any hope of continuing as a viable fishery. Preventing further decline and facilitating future walleye growth has been the focus of a newly created

a healthy diet and a staple for cultural and ceremonial events. As a top game fish in the Great Lakes, walleye has an international reputation, attracting anglers to northern Ontario fishing lodges and camps. While the North Channel and northern Georgian Bay remain popular and accessible for walleye anglers, recent provincial monitoring surveys of sections within fishing management zones FMZ10 and FMZ14 (see figure) show declining walleye populations. Destinations for walleye, such as the inland lakes of Manitoulin Island, eastern portions of the North Channel and northernmost Georgian Bay, are amongst the lowest in northern Ontario FMZs. This is troubling as most anglers target a diminishing supply of the larger adults, the majority of which are spawning females.

walleye management plan for FMZ10.

The first objective of the plan is keeping large walleyes in the water—a critical step in rebuilding a once-viable and historical fishery. Starting in 2024, anglers in FMZ10 cannot keep a walleye greater than 46 cm (18”) in length. 2023 regulations limited both sport and conservation license anglers to only one fish that size. The second objective is to provide an extended spawning season. Local hatcheries have estimated that one large spawning female can carry up to 300,000+ eggs. According to fisheries staff, when carried by larger older adults, the eggs tend to be larger, with better chances of survival and evolving into healthy juveniles. Having a new spring spawning season starting March 31, 2024, two weeks earlier than it was in 2023, will provide the spawners with a prolonged period to lay their eggs in cooler, early-spring water. The Bay of Islands, located at the eastern end of the North Channel, is not covered by FMZ10’s management plan, but there is a special regulation for the walleye species. This regulation extends the spring spawning season by two weeks. Additionally, a zone-wide restriction limits anglers to catching only one walleye larger than 56 cm, and they cannot keep any walleye between 41 and 56 cm. Nearby, McGregor Bay’s walleye fishery has collapsed. After years of great fishing and attracting anglers such as Franklin D. Roosevelt in the 1940s, barely a walleye remains. Due to overfishing, early logging activity, and acid rain, the province closed the fishery. No one wants to repeat this cycle. And today, walleye must deal with warming northern waters, invasive species threatening their spawning shoals, and more anglers with superior fish-finding devices. While a minority of anglers and local business operators might oppose further restrictions on walleye size limits and extended spawning seasons, others may agree that these changes are positive steps that will help protect and rebuild the walleye population and treat it as a valuable resource.

www.georgianbay.ca

GBA UPDATE Summer 2024

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