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Summary of total fishing effort (hours), number of fish caught, and walleye catch rate for the Bay of Quinte recreational fishery (opening weekend only) 1995-2005.
The Ministry of Natural Resources' (MNR) annual open-water angling survey on the Bay of Quinte began on May 7, the opening day of walleye fishing season. Results of the survey are reported here for ‘opening weekend’, May 7-8. The survey was conducted using aerial flights to count boats (maximum count during four flights was 1,050 boats on Saturday morning) and on-water patrols to interview a total of 507 anglers in 211 boats. The table above summarizes angling survey results for 1995-2005. Field crews indicated that weather conditions were favourable. The survey does not include anglers fishing from shore. Changes in the size of the 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 rate. The survey estimated a total of 39,182 hours of fishing effort during opening weekend 2005, up significantly from last year. Anglers caught an estimated 934 walleye of which 731 were harvested. Walleye fishing success rate was low relative to previous opening weekends. Seven of the twelve (58%) walleye sampled by field survey crews were from the 2003 year-class; weighing just under 1 lb and measuring about 13.5 inches total length. Seventy percent of anglers (355 of 507) interviewed indicated that they were participating in local angling tournaments. Anglers also caught nearly 4,000 yellow perch and over 300 northern pike. |
Bay of Quinte Angling
Update – Walleye Opening Weekend 2005