Fishing regulations streamlined

The province has streamlined its walleye and sport fishing regulations.

The move means walleye size regulation will be consistent across Northern Ontario.

Further information is included in the following news release issued today by the Ministry of Natural Resources:
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TORONTO
The Ontario government is taking action to further streamline the province's sport fishing regulations by haffilonizing walleye size regulations across the North, Natural Resources Minister David Ramsay announced today.

"Making the walleye size regulation in northeastern Ontario the same as the one currently in place in the northwest supports our ongoing efforts to simplify and streamline provincial sport fishing regulations," said Ramsay.

The regulation change applies to both walleye and sauger.

As of Jan. 1, 2005, anglers across Northern Ontario may keep one walleye or sauger (a smaller relative of the walleye) greater than 46 cm (18.5 inches.)

The catch and possession limit$ remain unchanged at four for a sport fishing licence and two for a conservation fishing licence.

"By simplifying Ontario's sport fishing regulations, we are seeking to increase compliance by anglers, as well as encourage more people to get out and enjoy the great fishing our province has to offer," said Ramsay.

The change to the regulations will be posted as an information notice on the Environmental Bill
of Rights Registry. To view the information notice, visit
www.ene ov.on.ca/samples/search/Ebrquery_REG.htm, and enter EBR Registry Number XB04E6009.

The ministry is also undertaking a review of recreational fishing division boundaries to reduce the number of divisions across the province and ensure that the new division boundaries reflect ecological and social considerations. This review, along with fisheries assessments and field studies, may identify further changes to walleye regulations across Ontario.