Muskoka Outdoors

The potential size of sturgeon always impresses me. This picture comes from Cory Glauner (@gothunts on twitter) showing us a 5 foot sturgeon he caught May 31, in Idaho. Cory also operates Outdoors International which matches hunters/anglers to outfitters that will provide awesome outdoors adventures!

The Ontario MNR has recently changed the fishing regulations regarding Lake Sturgeon. Any sturgeon caught must be released immediately. The change comes from evidence that supports that over-harvesting is putting the species at risk. According to the Ontario MNR,

This change will affect 16 of the 20 Fisheries Management Zones in the province.  Two zones already have zero catch and possession limits and two zones have closed seasons.

To further protect the species

• no recreational fishing for lake sturgeon will be permitted on the Mississagi River
• the province will reduce the commercial fishing quotas across the province to zero in 2009. (Entire Press Release Here)

This regulation change caught some fishery operators by surprise and has left a fishy taste in their mouths. A London Free Press article shares that,

“Tim Purdy of Purdy’s Fisheries expressed disbelief at yesterday’s announcement, saying his staff has worked with government officials to bring back Canada’s largest and longest-lived fresh water species…Purdy said he’s miffed that commercial operators are being punished. The industry has collaborated with the government for years on monitoring sturgeon stocks in Lake Huron…” Entire Article Here

It’s nice to see poachers getting caught by law enforcement! York Region.com reports that,

“two men were checked by a Ministry of Natural Resources conservation officer while transporting two large sturgeon caught in Blind River…” Entire Article Here

The MNR  Officer also found several pounds of sturgeon eggs in their vehicle. Please help law enforcement do their job when you spot poachers while hunting or fishing. Call the MNR  at 1-877-TIPS-MNR or Crime Stoppers at 1-800-222-TIPS.

For more information on Sturgeon follow this link to wikipedia.

I am sure people swim in Lake Winnebago (in Wisconsin), but I am not sure these are  the right fish to display to promote an upcoming swimming season! Check out the story the Fish Geek dug up about the monster sturgeon below.