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Summary of total fishing effort (hours), number of walleye caught and harvested, and walleye catch and harvest rates for the Bay of Quinte recreational ice-fishery, 1993-2005.
The Ministry of Natural Resources' (MNR) completed the annual ice fishing survey on the Bay of Quinte for winter 2005. The 2005 survey was conducted using 18 aerial flights to count angler and ice hut activity as well as on-water patrols to interview a total of 774 anglers. The maximum number of ice huts and anglers counted were 402 (January 29) and 163 (February 19), respectively. The table above summarizes ice fishing survey results for 1993-2005. Changes in the size of the ice fishery can best be evaluated by examining trends in total fishing effort and numbers of fish caught. Changes in angling quality can best be evaluated by examining trends in catch and harvest rates. The survey estimated a total of 59,227 hours of fishing effort during the 2005 ice fishing season, about 26% less than the previous year. Anglers caught 3,450 walleye of which 1,947 were harvested. Of the 1,503 walleye caught and released, the survey indicated that 40% were in the protected slot size (48-63 cm total length); 40% were less than 48 cm and 21% were greater than 63 cm. Fishing success rate this year declined from that of last year but was similar to the previous 5-year average. Anglers also caught about 29,300 and harvested about 7,300 yellow perch during the winter ice fishery. |
