January is fast approaching and bringing with it another exciting ice fishing season. I have been wondering when the Ontario MNR would post/make available the NEW 2007 fishing regulations. It turns out we probably already know what they are…temporarily the same as last year 2006.
If you read a previous article I wrote about the proposed changes for 2007, you would know that the MNR were hoping to re-write the regulations to become ‘more simple’ and and effective for our fisheries. Their first attempt at this had some flaws that should get re-evaluated. Things like:
- amalgamation of a smaller fishing zones into one large zone
- an increase list of exceptions due to larger fishing zones
A ‘put it in perspective’ quote that I have seen was written in a newsletter put out by the, Friends of the Grand River.
In short, we are getting fisheries “management” dictated by government funding constraints, presented as if it were state-of-the-art fisheries science instead of what it is: watered down enforcement and minimal investment in Ontario’s recreational fisheries.
I still have to give the MNR some credit. It is not their fault that their funding has been cut. They are also taking another run at the regulations that they were going to give Ontario anglers for 2007. Hence the delay. That takes guts. I trust they will go over input from the public and fishing organizations (like OFAH) and re-create some guidelines that actually benefit anglers and our fisheries.
The MNR’s official wording to anglers is:
“Anglers should keep their copy of the 2005-2006 Recreational Fishing Regulations Summary and continue to follow those rules,” said Ramsay. “We have been working on significant changes to the fishing regulations, but they will not be in place by January 1, 2007.”
The proposed changes by the MNR can be visited here. Read them over and decide for yourself. Maybe I am way off my Captain’s Chair.
I look forward to seeing what the MNR does for 2007.
Bill Anderson
Muskoka Outdoors
