Ice fishing on Kipawa

[puckster_guy]

http://mrnf-faune.gouv.qc.ca/peche/?lang=en#saison=14+zone=13+espece=null+endroit=null

According to this site I can fish walleye this winter. Anybody know any better? Justwanna know if I can wet a line this winter if I go up to camp.

[Dog]

seems that way from the regs... I do remember a thread a while back about not being able to ice fish on any lake that has lake trout in it... maybe that was in Ontario though, can't remember... I'm sure someone here will remember the thread and post the link. Either way, good luck getting to camp in the middle of winter to ice fish... I can't imagine they do much plowing back there to the red pine chutes.

[puckster_guy]

Red pine chutes road is plowed all the way to Bearn rd. My road is plowed to about 400 yards of my driveway. A bit of a slog the rest of the way. I wanna check the place out in winter, never done it. I remember the thread about ice fishing and the closing of the lake to protect the lakers. However the regs say open so I may try this winter. I have the week off between Christmas ans New years so I may boot up there.

[john c]

PG, I think Kipawa is in Zone 13 WEST.  The link you posted is for 13 east.  I remember the post about no ice fishing in any lake with lake trout in it, you better check, I would hate to have to come see you in jail.

John

[Jay Thomas]

Here is a Google translation of the "pertinent portions" of a Press Communique that was released 31 Jan 2014 regarding management of lake trout in Quebec

Management plan for the lake trout in Quebec 2014-2020
Blanchet Minister announces first management plan for lake trout

Quebec, January 31, 2014 - Minister of Sustainable Development, Environment, Wildlife and Parks and Minister responsible for the Mauricie and Centre-du-Québec, Yves-François Blanchet, announces implementation of the management plan for lake trout in Quebec from 2014 to 2020.

For several years, biologists of the Department are concerned about the status of lake trout. In 2012, they also found that 63% of lake trout populations in southern Quebec were overexploited. Although lake trout is not endangered in Quebec, the situation remains worrying, despite the significant conservation efforts that have been invested for 30 years. The management plan allows action in order to recover optimal population and help in doing a better fishing.

"Introducing the first national management plan for lake trout, our government is another gesture responsible and committed in sustainable development of wildlife. We do this in order to maximize the recovery of the species in a spirit of resource conservation and maintaining sustainable fisheries and quality, "said Minister Blanchet.

New regulations from April 2014

The new regulations will come into force from next April. Its main purpose is to support the reproduction of the species, improve the quality of fishing in southern Quebec, to preserve the integrity of northern populations and maintain the impressive quality fishing found there .

Thus, the size of the lake trout catch will be regulated throughout the free public land in Quebec, effective April 1, 2014, as follows:


For zones 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 20, 21, 25, 26, 27 and 28, 45 cm and more with a limit of 2

Other highlights regulations include:

     Maintaining the annual quota management in structured wildlife territories (zecs, outfitters and wildlife reserves);
     The closure of the winter fishing lake trout throughout Quebec;
     The closure of the winter fishing for all species of lake trout lakes in areas 1-15, 18, 26, 27 and 28;
     Applying length limits of lake trout and hybrid (splake and lacmou);
     The requirement to carry the entire or whole and gutted;
     The re-mandatory release of all trout on water bodies that are subject to restoration measures;
     The creation of sub-areas A (west) and B (is) in the fishing zone 19 south.

Some regulatory measures may have exceptions.

To promote population recovery and support fishing on certain bodies of water, the department will increase the stocking efforts over the next decade. Thus, more than 50 lakes located in different regions of Quebec will share nearly three million trout by 2025.

Recall that the 70,000 lake trout anglers Quebec annually spend about 625 000 fishing days for an estimated 380,000 trout total annual harvest (400 tonnes). The annual economic impact of this activity is estimated at $ 90 million.

"The shift we make today in the management of lake trout will maintain a sustainable fishery and quality so that future generations may also enjoy this great activity," concluded Mr. Blanchet.

It should be noted that exceptions may apply. The MDDEFP invites anglers to visit its website for the various regulatory measures: www.mddefp.gouv.qc.ca/faune/reglementation/peche/.

A final report on the management plan for lake trout in Quebec 2014-2016 is available at the following address: www.mddefp.gouv.qc.ca/faune/peche/plan manage-touladi.htm.


SOURCE:
Catherine Salvail
Press
Office of the Minister of Sustainable Development, Environment, Wildlife
and Parks
Tel. : 418 521-3911

However, I could not find anything in the current Quebec Sportfishing Regulations that addressed this issue.

Consequently, I telephoned the Quebec authorities for clarification. Hopefully, someone will telephone me back. I also sent them an email. When I obtain a response, I'll post again.

Jay

[puckster_guy]

Rules for the zone
[ - ]

Zone 13 ouest
-
Period    Species    Catch limit    Note

June 15, 2014 to March 31, 2015
   bass    6 in all    

May 16, 2014 to March 31, 2015
   pike    6 in all    
walleye and sauger    6 in all    

A length limit may apply for this species (See "Catch, possession and length limits" »»).

June 15, 2014 to October 31, 2014
   sturgeon    1 in all    

April 25, 2014 to September 14, 2014
   char    10 in all    
cutthroat trout and brown trout    5 in all    
lake trout and splake trout    2 in all    

A length limit may apply for this species (See "Catch, possession and length limits" »»).

rainbow trout New    10 in all    

April 1, 2014 to March 31, 2015
   other species    no limit    
yellow perch    50    
▲ Top
http://mrnf-faune.gouv.qc.ca/peche/?lang=en#saison=14+zone=14+espece=null+endroit=null

Thats for west 13 still says walleye open from may 16 to mar. 31. I think the reg was province wide that if there's lakers present then no ice fishing.  This shows it's open this winter. I just wanna make sure.

[puckster_guy]

Cool ty Jay

[Mr3seasonscamp]

As of 2014 no ice fishing on lake kipawa from now on because lake kipawa as lake trout and all lake that has lake trout is close as of this year

[Jay Thomas]

I received a return telephone call yesterday from Catharine (speaks English as well as French) at 1-866-266-0008 Ext 3901. Catharine confirmed that the lake trout management plan for all of Quebec (announced 31 Jan 2014) is in effect. Consequently, ice fishing for lake trout is not permitted nor is ice fishing for any species in a lake that has a lake trout population. Sorry Puckster, no walleye through the ice.

This issue is addressed in Quebec's 1 April 2014 to 31 March 2015 Sportfishing Regulations. For Zone 13 West, look under exceptions for reservoir kipawa (copied below)

Jay

Marin
Memewin
réservoir Kipawa - Audouin lake
réservoir Kipawa - Grindstone lake
réservoir Kipawa - Hunter lake
réservoir Kipawa - Kipawa lake
réservoir Kipawa - Mclachlin lake
Tee
-
Period    Species    Catch limit    Note

June 15, 2014 to November 30, 2014   bass 6 in all    

May 16, 2014 to November 30, 2014   pike    6 in all    

                                                               walleye and sauger    6 in all    

June 15, 2014 to October 31, 2014    sturgeon    1 in all    

April 25, 2014 to September 14, 2014    char    10 in all    

                                                                 lake trout and splake trout    2 in all    A length limit may apply for this species (See "Catch, possession and length limits" »»).

                                                                 trout    same as the zone 

[puckster_guy]

Ok case closed. I was scanning the regs and wondering about the ice fishing. Ty all for your help in this....Joe

[Dog]

I'd love to see pictures of Red Pine Chutes area in the heart of winter!

[puckster_guy]

If I go up, and I'm hoping to make a trip or two this winter. Probably not need the beer cooler lol