High Park Grenadier pond fishing ban

[bassin_to]

This is a call for all the urban fisherman from Toronto, I just want to get more people to join me and speak up against these ridiculous signs that were erected at the north section of the pond, making it off limits for fishing.

In my quest to find a reason why fishing is off limits, I called MNR and I was told that the park is city of Toronto property and they can do whatever they want. I called the 311 city line and the agent that handled my call could not provide a reason why fishing is off limits. I left voice messages to the High Park manager and she does not call return my calls. Even people who have called Sarah Doucette, the city councillor for the ward, did not get a straight answer from her.

Whatever the reason is, and I assume they could be trying to "protect" wildlife, the signs that do not allow fishing cover only half of the pond, however, wildlife is spread across the entire pond, so careless fisherman could still snag a snapping turtle or bother the birds while fishing in the other half, besides those signs provide grounds for harassment as there is a couple of self-proclaimed volunteers that come to the park everyday in the morning and in the evening to enforce the by-law signs, they snap unauthorized pictures of fisherman and threaten to confiscate your fishing license. One fishermen not cognizant of the signs was fined $300 two weekends ago by a city hall conservation officer enforcing the mysterious by-law.

Fisherman have been fishing in this pond since the 1800's so I think enough is enough, if you oppose this ban like I do, let's make our voices be heard and work together to end this nonsensical ban.

If you want to help, you can call the 311 city line and complain, or call Sarah Doucette who is the city councillor for the ward.

[jaycee]

Here are some of the reasons for the ban , check out the link.
[COLOR=#1A0DAB][PDF]A FISHING BAN ON GRENADIER POND.pdf - High Park Nature

[COLOR=#545454][COLOR=#808080]www.highparknature.org/.../A%20FISHING%20BAN%20ON%20GRENADIER%20P...




[COLOR=#808080]Oct 29, 2012 - The activity or sport of [COLOR=#6A6A6A]fishing should be [COLOR=#6A6A6A]banned commencing spring of 2013 pending a study to ... pond water or on the [COLOR=#6A6A6A]shore; and ... The [COLOR=#6A6A6A]Toronto Wildlife Centre is, thankfully, able to rescue and save some of the injured fauna (after removing the injured animal from [COLOR=#6A6A6A]Grenadier Pond and providing medical.

[jim]

O.K That was really interesting PETA talk. I didn't see one piece of hard evidence, presented , to substantiate their claims. Oh, by the way, Grenadier Pond empties into Lake Ont. , not the Humber River. This pond has been many city kids first and only fishing hole for generations. When I was a kid [back before dirt was discovered] all we caught was sunfish and perch. A bass was a rarity and I don't think I ever saw a pike. Anyway, some dogooders are over reacting to the so called environmental issues and politicians listen, 'cause they all like votes. Makes me sick!

[RHYBAK]

Holy Jim?
You grew up there?
That was my fishing grounds everyday in my youth since I lived just on the edge of High Park.
Back in my days ,we caught lots of Largemouth Bass.

The Pike were introduced about 10 to 15 years ago although my brother claims to have caught a pike back in the 60's

[jim]

I used to pick dew worms in the hood, then take the streetcar to HighPark and sell them to the fishermen!! There was a little pond to the west full of big coy. Fished that too.!!

[finsfurfeathers]

O.K That was really interesting PETA talk. !

Unfortunately they are not that far off. Can't go to a spot where concentrated fishing occurs and not come across a tonne of crap left behind. Know of several areas closed to fishing because of the garbage left behind and sadly believe many more will be added to that list. Often warn people clean up your mess or lose another spot.

[jaycee]

Unfortunately they are not that far off. Can't go to a spot where concentrated fishing occurs and not come across a tonne of crap left behind. Know of several areas closed to fishing because of the garbage left behind and sadly believe many more will be added to that list. Often warn people clean up your mess or lose another spot.

Exactly, it's the people that ruin it for themselves and others, then complain when the authorities/powers that be, shut it down when other users complain about the mess left behind.

[Rugger]

So the problem is littering NOT fishing. Can you imagine them banning groups of teenagers or other large groups who use parks because they create more litter than ppl just strolling through.
I have no problem with them closing a stretch of shoreline to avoid having it trampled by anglers but the wording in that document is unacceptable.

[jim]

Exactly, it's the people that ruin it for themselves and others, then complain when the authorities/powers that be, shut it down when other users complain about the mess left behind.

You're right about the garbage , Jaycee, and it's all over the place. Take a look at any trout stream in Southern Ontario, the day after opening. Where do they come from?!

[bassin_to]

You're right about the garbage , Jaycee, and it's all over the place. Take a look at any trout stream in Southern Ontario, the day after opening. Where do they come from?!

They come from sloppy fisherman who leave it behind, unfortunately.

I understand that there were problems in the past, the excuse they used to ban fishing was that the city did not have enough staff to provide enforcement of another by-law that the city has about leaving fishing line, sinkers and hooks behind. However this seems to have changed, as I saw one park enforcement officer giving a citation to one fisherman for fishing in the off limits area. They might as well allow fishing and enforce the litter by-law with fines if they want to.