No changes to Lake Temagami walleye size limits

Natural Resources Minister David Ramsay says walleye size limits on Lake Temagami will remain unchanged.

Ramsay says the issue will continue to be studied to assess the effectiveness of existing regulations.

Further information is included in the following news release issued today by the MNR.

TEMAGAMI -Walleye sport fishing regulations for Lake Temagami will remain unchanged to allow for further study of the effectiveness of existing regulations on the lake's
walleye populations, Natural Resources Minister David Ramsay announced today.

"New walleye size limit regulations in northeastern Ontario are scheduled to come into effect January
1, 2005, as part of our efforts to streamline and simplify provincial sport fishing regulations," said Ramsay.

"However, we are making an exception for Lake Temagami so the ministry can continue ongoing research on managing walleye, one of Ontario's most popular sport fishing species."

The ministry will continue to work with the Lake Temagami Stewardship Council to monitor the fishery in this important lake.

The current regulation for Lake Temagami prohibits anglers from keeping any walleye or sauger (a smaller relative of the walleye) between 46 and 61 cm (18.1 to 24 in.).

However, anglers may take one fish greater than 61 cm (24 in.) in length.

A province-wide review of walleye regulations, which should be completed by January 2007, will help determine if further changes to the regulations in both southern and northern Ontario are needed.