Bill Mauro, Ontario Minister of Natural Resources and Forestry claims there are already signs that the Lake Nipissing walleye population is recovering.
Interviewed by BayToday yesterday morning, Mauro said steps taken by his ministry are already paying off.
"In fact the MNR has already put in a new fish management plan for Lake Nipissing that was released in 2014 and they have taken action. It's an interesting question because we, on a pretty regular basis have discussions relative to Lake Nipissing and the most recent briefing I had on it indicates they are encouraged already by the actions they've taken and it's showing the population of young walleye is actually starting to return.
"They are early findings but the ministry is encouraged by what they've found from their monitoring so far, and they're connecting these early positive results back to the plan they've put in place, of size and limit restrictions.
"There is a belief that the early signs are beginning to yield some positive results, but it's early. We'll obviously take longer to ensure that what we have in place is the right path.
But Mauro isn't prepared to say that the newest tight restrictions on recreational anglers will be lifted anytime soon
"The ministry has put in place slot size and catch limits which they think is at least one prong in terms of what is required to restore the fishery. It doesn't mean plans and processes can' be relooked at. We're all shooting for the same goal. Everybody wants to see the fishery get back to where it used to be and let the recreational fisherperson be able to catch to the limits that we're used to. We understand everyone's frustration."
Mauro also downplayed suggestions from a number of stakeholders, including Nipissing MPP Vic Fedeli, that an independent third party assessment be made of the lake.
"I'm not sure why that's deemed to be necessary. I haven't heard from anyone that hasn't acknowledged that there is a significant problem with the fish population in Nipissing and the ministry has taken steps to try and rehabilitate the population. I'm not sure what the value would be of a third party assessment."
Mauro wouldn't comment on any charges laid against gill netters.
"I think it's fair to say that obviously everyone involved with the fishery is aware of the challenges that now exist and that we need to continue to work to ensure sustainability of the fishery and that we need to continue that work. I know the ministry is doing a great deal of work of outreach with the First Nations community and we believe this will yield positive results that are going to benefit not only the First Nations, but the recreational fishery as well."
Mauro told BayToday that he's planning a summer tour, and while not confirmed it is "absolutely possible" that he'll stop in North Bay to check out the fishery first-hand.
