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 295 fishing parties (634 anglers).

There was a total of 35,768 hours of fishing effort (about 4,000 boat trips), about the same as last July but down 25 percent from the previous 5-year average. The numbers of walleye caught and harvested were 8,430 and 4,579 respectively, down about 50% compared to the average for the previous five years but up significantly from July of last year. Anglers reported the best fishing in several years. It took the average walleye angler about three hours to catch a walleye. The average size of walleye harvested was 426 mm in fork length (17 ½ inches total length) and weighed 0.9 kg (2 lb).

The July survey indicated that anglers also caught 2,255 northern pike, 4,110 smallmouth bass, 7,084 largemouth bass, 25,349 yellow perch and 7,623 sunfish.

So far this year, walleye catch rates have been better than for the past three years but fishing effort continues to decline. Pike, bass and sunfish catches have increased this year, and yellow perch catches are down.

Significant numbers of round gobies, an exotic invader and first observed in the Bay of Quinte two years ago, are now being caught by anglers. So far, gobies have been reported from Telegraph Narrows to Glenora but not in the upper bay. Reports of gobies caught west of Telegraph Narrows should be forwarded to the Lake Ontario Management at Glenora.

As has been reported previously, the Bay of Quinte angling fishery continues to respond to ecosystem changes including clearer water, more aquatic vegetation, and a changing fish community.

Jim Hoyle, Assessment Biologist

Lake Ontario Management Unit

Glenora (613) 476-7977