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August 17, 1999 Bay of Quinte Walleye Sport Fishing Update The Ministry of Natural Resources (MNR) annual open-water angling survey on the Bay of Quinte continued in July; May and June results were reported in earlier updates. The July survey was conducted using on-water patrols to interview a total of 219 fishing parties (473 anglers). There was a total of 31,003 hours of fishing effort (3,998 boat trips), down about 40 percent from last July and down 45 percent from the previous five year average. The numbers of walleye caught and harvested were 3,780 and 2,038 respectively, down over 85% compared to the average for the previous five years. It took the average angler about eight hours to catch one walleye. The average size of fish harvested was 419 mm in fork length (17 ½ inches total length) and weighed 0.9 kg (2 lb). On the positive side, bass catches appear to be on the increase. Nearly 4,000 smallmouth (1,318) and largemouth (2,460) bass were caught in July. Largemouth bass catches in particular increased dramatically this year. Over the past few years, while walleye catches have declined, yellow perch, northern pike, smallmouth, and largemouth bass catches have all increased. As has been reported previously, the fishery continues to respond to ecosystem changes in the Bay including clearer water, more aquatic vegetation, and a changing fish community. For more information: Jim Hoyle, Assessment Biologist Lake Ontario Management Unit Glenora (613) 476-7977
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