An independent panel of expert scientists has found Ontario's current fisheries monitoring and recovery practices to be the best option to stabilize and recover the walleye fishery says an MNRF news release today.
In April 2016, the province commissioned an internationally-recognized group of scientists to review walleye management practices on Lake Nipissing. The independent panel has compiled its findings in its report, entitled "External Review of Lake Nipissing's Walleye Fishery and Management."
To review the full report, please click here.
The report has not been posted online and the only way to get the report, other than on BayToday, is to contact the local North Bay District Office at 705-475-5550.
The panel, led by Dr. Michael Jones from Michigan State University and including fisheries experts from universities and agencies across the United States and Canada, examined trends in the walleye population as well as fishing effort and harvest, and assessed current biological modelling methods and actions to protect the fishery.
In its report, the panel also made recommendations for the management of a sustainable fishery, including work to enhance the understanding of Lake Nipissing's walleye recruitment and continuing to refine sampling methods.
"The review indicates that the current recreational fishing regulation for walleye supports population recovery by protecting young fish, and that walleye population recovery is achievable if continued efforts to limit walleye harvest below the current recommended safe harvest level are maintained," said Dr. Michael Jones, Professor and fisheries scientist, Michigan State University Quantitative Fisheries Centre.
The province is currently reviewing the panel's recommendations and will update its population monitoring and tracking to reflect these.
