Fish Catch and Release Program

[Thibaut Petry, OBVT]

Hi all,
At the OBVT (Temiscamingue watershed Organization/Organisme de bassin versant du Témiscaminque), we are broadcasting a sensitization program on Fish Catch and Release. Feel free to say what you think about it. The aim is to increase fish survival and to give a new challenge to all of us, passionate fishermen !!
See this link for more info and to see the English subtitled video ! : http://www.obvt.ca/activites/remise
Have a good day

[RHYBAK]

My opinion is that your tourism will decrease 90%.
You force a mandatory catch and release and you will loose a lot of tourist dollars.

Stop the native netting to start with.
Don't chastise the legal fishermen.
Stop the illegal stuff.

Most of the region tourists enjoy a meal of fish daily, like to take a catch home. Other than that Catch and Release is practiced daily.

Prevent the meals, prevent the few fish to take home and you may as well stay home.
A lot of guys say they go up there for the scenery and tranquility etc.

I have that in Ontario.
I go to Kipawa for the excellent walleye fishing.
Take away the option of eating and taking home walleye, I might as well stay home.

[SgtCrabby]

I have to agree with @RHYBAK;   
Remove the option of eating a few fish and taking home a legal catch, I will go somewhere else to fish and spend my vacation money.

I don't drive 2,000 miles each way just for scenery and tranquility.

[Balsams]

It really surprises me why their cannot be a balance. Last I checked it was a 6 fish possession limit (inside a slot). Why not make it a 2 or 3. That should cut the kill for consumption in half. Guys still have their fry on vacation, and still bring a few home. I think 6 home is too much...2 or 3 is fine. If it's that important guys (and/or gals) will make another trip for more ( and spend more $). Personally just a few frys when I'm there is fine...I much prefer some of the other meals we do up there (there was another thread on that which was very interesting). And more importantly, what might help, is that a pike fry is just as good as pickerel if you filet them well. I can tell you that pike ceviche is dynamite. Many of the better outfitters will serve pike at shore lunch instead of pickerel, as I learned to conserve the pickerel fishery. The members of this board could make a difference in what they choose to practice.
I also agree that any sort of regs should apply to the native fishery, something is better than nothing. Everyone has a responsibility.

[Bennythebushman]

I think Ontario has a "conservation" license that had a possession limit of 2 walleye and was cheaper. Maybe a similar strategy could be used.

[Canuckbass]

I think Ontario has a "conservation" license that had a possession limit of 2 walleye and was cheaper. Maybe a similar strategy could be used.

Benny is correct and would work great.

[RHYBAK]

Sure, Give the tourist a choice of a conservation licence.

Choose your catch and keep.
Personally I live in Ontario and I am spending my money on a Quebec outfitter for the fact that I can have a weeks holiday and come home with 6 Walleye.
If the limit drops to 3 or 4 , I may as well stay in Ontario and save the fishing license cost.

Same for all the U.S tourists.
Why drive to Quebec when they can stop in Ontario.
With some of these suggestions, fishing in Ontario for walleye will look more appealing.

[RHYBAK]

O.K.
I guess we have to take a step back.

I revisited the original thread and am now under the assumption that this thread was intended for the safe handling and release of Lake Trout.

I'm very sorry but if that is the case, I apologize and concur with this.
I personally release my Kipawa lake trout .

[Jay Thomas]

Hi John,

I don't believe you have any reason to issue an apology. I'm convinced that the video was advocating proper catch and release procedures for all species. With the new walleye slot limit and the new lake trout length limit, there's going to be plenty of caught fish destined for release. Releasing fish that are going to die won't help either fish population much. Consequently, we should all brush up on improving our catch and release techniques.

As for what the possession on walleye should be, I'll leave that decision to the fish biologists. One of the fundamental issues regarding the walleye population in Lake Kipawa was the lack of a sustainable breeding population. The fish biologists have obviously concluded that the new slot limit will address that issue. If it doesn't, I expect we will see a reduction in possession limits.

Jay

[pike mike]

If the C'N'R strategy is targeting walleye as well as lake trout I have to completely agree with Rhybak .He has voiced my opinion perfectly ,no point in me repeating everything he has expressed previous .   

[Dog]

@Thibaut Petry, OBVT

Great video. It echos a lot of techniques I've read in a magazine I subscribe to here in the USA called In-Fisherman.
I don't see anything wrong with promoting/ advertising more successful catch and release strategies. (for those who choose to practice catch and release). Bringing scientific research to fishing is something I am really enthusiastic about and enjoy reading. Can you share the research that supports these 3 techniques to improve the probably of catch and release?

From an American tourist standpoint, if Quebec requires catch and release for all fish, I will probably keep my money in the US and not come at all. Maybe this is the goal, to lessen the pressure on the fishery but I would think you all are smart enough to realize it's not the honest fisherman that is causing the sustainable population issue. 99% of us who spend thousands of dollars to come north and support the outfitters in the region and local economy simply want to enjoy a fresh caught fish dinner and maybe bring home a fish or two to enjoy with our spouses as a closure to the trip which kept us apart. The other 1% will continue to break the law unless enforcement is ramped up to correct the native unlimited harvesting issue, those fishing without licesnes or keeping fish beyond their license limit.

Perhaps the most influential power in the world is money, so if the goal is to promote catch and release, make the license $5 or free instead of only a few dollars cheaper for a week of fishing for a tourist (if indeed you believe the tourists, not the natives, are the root cause of the fishery not being naturally sustainable).

Good luck with your efforts.

I would caution you to remember every action has an equal and opposite reaction.

[Riverrat]

I have been fishing Lake Kipawa for over 40 years now.  I enjoy coming to catch and eat some fish.  I do release most but keep some.  I personally have not seen a change in the quantity of fish I have caught over the years.  When I first started coming there were more camps on the lake.  The old limit for Lake Trout was 3 with no size limit.  We were also allowed to use live minnows.  The fishing pressure has greatly been reduced over the last few years.  If the Ministry wants to reduce the limit and put size restrictions I am all for it.

In the case of catch and release I am totally against it.  I agree the tourism will drop to almost 100%.   

[Balsams]

It was noted on this thread that fishermen travel to this area to enjoy catching for consumption while in Quebec, and to bring home " a fish or two" to Enjoy with loved ones. I think this might be the whole point, and there should be absolutely nothing wrong with that while still having a sustainable fishery. Changing the limits from 6 to " a fish or two" will make a big difference...even from 6 to 3. It's quite evident that members of this board are passionate about fishing, and this great area in particular. A difference can be made for future generations to enjoy what we all do. Whether regs change, a difference can be made. With a new season upon us, may all enjoy.

[Thibaut Petry, OBVT]

Hi,
I just want to calrify :
Jay Thomas well understood the message : with slot size on walleye and limit on Trout, we just wanted to give tools and techniques to increase survival of released fish. Nothing is mandatory !
We are not doing rules...
Hope it's more clear ? Don't hesitate to ask me question !
Nice to see your interest !
Thibaut

[ouimettelen]

Hi All

I was thinking about planning a trip to lake kipawa and saw the new regulations which I think are great this lake was once almost fished out.  I have been reading a lot and it has made a bit of a comeback is the fishing back there?

Thanks