Rule changes create new angling opportunities

For any angler who feels he has a good handle on the dos and don’ts of current provincial fishing regulations, be prepared to do some homework before wetting a line in 2008.
That’s because some major changes to the rules come into effect Jan. 1.
To find out what changes are in store, check out the new 2008-09 provincial recreational fishing regulations summary, available at most local tackle outlets or here.
The ministry cites several reasons for this year’s changes.
Last printed in 2005, the ministry is optimistic the revised guide will be far simpler for anglers to comprehend. It’s a big relief as the current regulations tend to be rather complex, especially for someone who might be new to the sport.
In its effort to simplify matters, the ministry revamped the province’s fishing zones by creating 20 Fisheries Management Zones that replace the current 34 fishing divisions.
The ministry’s Aurora District is located in zone 16 and includes the Special Designated Waters of Lake Simcoe and part of zone 17.
In addition to the new zones, several new regulations will be enforced., many of which will create additional angling opportunities.
Within York Region, as an example, an extended fall fishing season on the Rouge River will allow anglers to wet a line for rainbow and brown trout and pacific salmon in an area extending north to south side of Hwy. 407 from Oct. 1 to Dec. 31.
Under current regulations, anglers can only fish the Rouge River for pacific salmon, rainbows and brown trout year-round as far north as Hwy. 2, said Wil Wegman, a ministry spokesperson from the Aurora District office.
“There’s definitely a lot more river to fish under the new regulations,” he cited.
Among other highlights, the Atlantic salmon season will be closed all year to support the province’s Lake Ontario Atlantic Salmon Restoration Program.
Anglers who intend to keep what they catch, should take careful note of changes pertaining to possession limits of certain species.
What had been rumoured over the last couple of years will become a reality when walleye catch and possession limits will be reduced to four from six for those with a Sport Fishing Licence and remain at two for holders of a Conservation Fishing Licence. Only one can exceed 46 centimetres (18.1 inches) in length.
For crappies, there will be a daily possession limit of 30 for those with a Sport Fishing Licence and 10 with a Conservation Fishing Licence while sunfish will be limited to 50 and 25, respectively.
Channel catfish will have a possession limit of 12 with a Sport Fishing Licence and six with a Conservation Fishing Licence.
Until now, there has been no possession limits on these species.
Anglers who fish Lake Simcoe, which, as  January is in the redefined zone 16, will also see changes as the lake is identified as Specially Designated Waters. This designation allows for regulatory management options outside the zone-wide regulations.
Under the new guidelines, this designation takes in all waters of Lakes Simcoe and Couchiching and their tributaries.
Wegman hopes the designation will clarify a long-standing issue pertaining to the whitefish possession limit and season. In zone 16, it states whitefish are open year-round with a possession limit of 12 for those with a Sport Fishing Licence. But as of Jan. 1, anglers with a Sport Fishing Licence can only keep two while those with a Conservation Licence one. As well, there is a closed season imposed on Lake Simcoe for whitefish.
Other changes pertaining to Lake Simcoe include the creation of several sanctuaries. But in doing so, additional angling opportunities will be created.
One example, Wegman cited, is the Pefferlaw River, closed to angling from Hwy. 48 to the dam in the village of Pefferlaw from March 1 to the second Saturday in May. This is a significant change from when this same stretch of water was closed right through until the last Saturday in June.
While bass fishing will remain closed in this stretch of water under the new regulations, Wegman said other species will be open for anglers to catch, noting the change was prompted by the river now seen as more of a walleye sanctuary.
On neighbouring Lake Scugog, located in zone 17, additional fishing opportunities have been provided where anglers can now fish for panfish species, including black crappie and sunfish, during the open winter season (Jan. 1 to the last day of February).  There is no limit on either species in this lake. The walleye catch limit will be reduced to four from six for those with a Sport Fishing Licence and for those carrying a Conservation Fishing Licence, the limit remains at two. As well, no more than one walleye kept can exceed 46 cm (18.1 inches) in length.
For complete details of regulation changes, refer to the 2008-2009 Ontario Recreational Fishing Regulations Summary.