|
March 6, 1998
MINISTRY OF NATURAL RESOURCES Results of the 1998 Winter Angling Survey for the Bay of Quinte Each winter, the Ministry of Natural Resources (MNR) surveys the activities of anglers fishing for walleye in the Bay of Quinte. The survey consists of ice-hut and angler counts, using a small aircraft, and on-ice angler interviews to measure fishing success and collect biological information about the walleye harvest. The 1998 winter ice-fishing season for walleye in the Bay of Quinte was plagued by extremely poor ice conditions. The poor ice conditions prevented many anglers from fishing—especially those who prefer to use an ice-hut. Between December 22, 1997 and February 28, 1998, aerial crews conducted 20 flights to determine fishing effort. The highest fish hut and on-ice angler counts occurred on February 8, 1998 when the aerial crew counted 339 huts and 321 anglers, respectively. These counts were down 50% compared to last winter. Fisheries technicians from the Ministry’s Lake Ontario Management Unit at Glenora were also hampered by the poor ice conditions. The technicians interviewed a total of 126 anglers during the 1998 winter angling season. Management Unit biologists estimate that a total of 148,000 hours of fishing effort occurred this winter—down about 50% from previous years. Anglers caught an estimated 11,000 walleye of which 6,000 were harvested. |
