MNR Conducts Aerial and On-Water Surveys During Opening Weekend of Walleye Season

The Ministry of Natural Resources (MNR) launched its annual open-water angling survey for the Bay of Quinte on the opening day of walleye (yellow pickerel) season again this year. Surveys were conducted using a small aircraft to count boats, and on-water Ministry crews to interview anglers.

Flight crews reported excellent weather conditions for this year’s opening. The highest boat count occurred on Saturday morning, May 1 when aerial survey crews counted nearly 2,400 boats. The highest fishing pressure occurred in the Long Reach/Hay Bay area (612 boats), followed by the Trenton (376 boats) and Deseronto (328 boats) areas.

An estimated 75,000 hours of fishing effort occurred over the weekend, about the same as last year, but down over 15% compared to the previous 5-year average. Anglers caught and harvested 2,190 and 1,666 walleye respectively, down 60% compared to last year.

Ministry field crews interviewed over 600 anglers in 256 boats, and indicated that the walleye fishing success was generally poor. Fisheries technicians reported that the best catches occurred in Hay Bay, in the waters just to the west of Belleville, and in the Napanee River. The average size of walleye harvested was 2.9 lb and measured 20 in total length.

Anglers also caught 42,000 yellow perch and over 2,000 northern pike—catches of both species having increased over the last few years.

About 70% of those anglers interviewed were participating in local walleye tournaments and derbies.

For more information:

Jim Hoyle, Assessment Biologist

Lake Ontario Management Unit