If you could change/create one Fishing reg/law, what would it be?

[GrizzlyAdams]

Ya the area im at boaters are allowed 2 lines unless I am misinformed (detroit river st clair erie?) I thought you were allowed 2 rods but I do not claim myself to be a master of the fishing arts and you may very well be right I may be mistaken...ill have to look into it if I ever get a boat.

2 lines would be nice...I dont see the issue as long as you stay under the catch limit

[GrizzlyAdams]

Good points I agree ^^^

[sawbill]

Possession limits:
It does not seem fair to have a possession limit of one daily limit when the fishing for many species may only be good for a short portion of the year.

Don't agree! A good angler or group of anglers can easily clean out a lake I've seen it with lakes that 'get discovered', guys go in every day and in one season that lake is done. There is no control what they do with the fish they catch so filling the freezer argument doesn't fly either. Many of these fish are given away friends to for favors so that essentially, the practice becomes commercial.
The other side of the coin is that it makes anglers look greedy and that is an image sportsmen don't need.

[Fisabout]

I would like a limit of 2 walleye. No slot but only one of the two can be over 18 inchs. This would work for most of Ontario's in land lakes.

[stillfisher]

Well, the title of the thread says it all really. (also posted a hunting version in that group)
The only thing i would ask is that we steer clear of the First Nations thing. We don't need another one of those debates.

So, If you could change or create any regulation or law regarding fishing in ontario what would it be?
it could be slot sizes, equipment restrictions, whatever...

i have many on my mind, but i'll save them for later, more interested in everyone else's takes.

I'd like to be able to catch baitfish with a cast net though.
And the regulation regarding "immediately" returning a fish to the water is a little crazy, it needs to be re-worded to allow for taking a picture with a fish even if it was accidentally caught out of season, or it's outside the slot size etc... because currently all photos are basically illegal unless it's a fish you're keeping to eat.

I own a cast net.
I'd like to see limits enforced so that once you catch your limit you are done fishing for that species for the day. If the limit is five once you catch five you stop.
I'd like to see the minimum fine for littering set at $10,000. I've approached government about this in the past and been told too many people would be upset. I say too bad.

[tweedwolfscream]

I would like to see the regs allow for more aggressive harvest of certain species in areas where they are expanding their non-natural range to the detriment of native species. We have this in northern Ontario with a year-round bass season; we should do the same thing, for example, for bass and pike in the Haliburton/Algonquin highlands. Seems silly that people going out in the early spring for lake brookies have to release any pike and bass they catch, in lakes where the pike/bass are invasive and destroying the brookie fishery. Would probably have to be done as a bunch of "additional fishing opportunities" listed by township or individual lake.

In terms of things that have already been said, I agree with Bushmoose and patvetzal about slot sizes. I would be fine with lower walleye limits, or shorter lake trout seasons in spots where they need extra protection, in exchange for being able to keep a badly-hooked fish -- or the only fish caught on a tough day -- regardless of its size.

[muddler]

Ban the roe harvest and using natural roe as bait.

[sakimano]

Ban salmon/trout fishing during the spawn. Easy one.

Those convicted of poaching would face a minimum 10 year fishing ban and then pay the appropriate fine per number of fish poached. Second, third conviction, minimum 10K fine and loose everything associated with your poaching, boat, rods, etc.

Hopefully you don't forget your wallet with your license at home and get caught with a walleye for dinner in a cooler then...! Technically you're poaching. Would suck to be banned from your pastime for 10 years for an oversight.

But I agree in principle.

Guess I gotta save for a boat to reap the benefits of the laws

... Or a kayak

[mbhunter]

Hopefully you don't forget your wallet with your license at home and get caught with a walleye for dinner in a cooler then...! Technically you're poaching. Would suck to be banned from your pastime for 10 years for an oversight.

But I agree in principle.

I've been pulled over before without my wallet and had 24 or 48 hours or something to produce my drivers licence at the police station. Which I did. Does anyone know if the same grace is given for a fishing licence?

[sakimano]

Officer's discretion with your drivers license.

My point was more that if we have really severe punishments for first time offenders, people can REALLY get screwed. Just as some cops will instantly give you a ticket for not having proof of license, insurance, ownership others will give you some slack. I'm sure the same would apply to a MNR officer. Imagine forgetting your license on the blue moon you actually see an MNR officer? And on top of that, he's having a day and doesn't feel like cutting any slack?