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Ministry of Natural Resources and Forestry

fishing-regs

Deadline To Comment On Walleye Fishery Nearing

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Just a couple of more days to comment on potential changes to the walleye fishery on Lake of the Woods.

January 9th is the final day to provide any input.

The preferred option would see catch limits for a sport licence to be two, down from four and the conservation limit from 2 down to one.

There would also be size restrictions for the fish caught.

Monitoring data on Lake of the Woods by the Ministry of Natural Resources and Forestry indicates that the walleye population is vulnerable to continued high-levels of harvest.

The MNRF says it’s to the point where the current harvest poses a risk to the quality of the walleye fishery.

Preferred Option

Season: January 1 to April 14 and third Saturday in May to December 31 (unchanged)

Limits (All anglers): Daily Catch-and-Retain Limit – Sport 2; must be less than 43 cm or greater than 70 cm and not more than 1 greater than 70 cm

Conservation 1; must be less than 43 cm

Possession limit – Sport 4; must be less than 43 cm or greater than 70 cm and not more than 1 greater than 70 cm

Conservation 2; must be less than 43 cm

Alternate Option

Season: January 1 to April 14 and third Saturday in May to December 31 (unchanged)

Limits (All anglers):

Daily Catch-and-Retain Limit – Sport 2; must between 35 cm and 43 cm or greater than 70 cm and not more than 1 greater than 70 cm

Conservation 1; must between 35 cm and 43 cm

Possession limit – Sport 4; must between 35 cm and 43 cm or greater than 70 cm and not more than 1 greater than 70 cm

Conservation 2; must between 35 cm and 43 cm

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Wabaseemoong On Standby For Evacuation

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The Wabaseemoong First Nation is on standby for evacuation because of a wildfire.

Kenora Fire #51 is now listed at over 171 thousand hectares in size.

The chief of the First Nation, Waylon Scott says fire could jump the lake by Tuesday.

The MNRF Says the blaze is about 20 kilometres north of the community and smoke from the forest fire is flowing into Kenora and the surrounding areas.

Chief Scott says they will have 12 to 24 hours for a grace period to fully evacuate the community.

There are four new fires in the region today and 110 active forest fires.

The MNRF says it’s continuing to fight Kenora Fire #51…

  • Helicopters with buckets and water bombing airplanes are being used to slow the fire.
  • Ignition crews are ready to bring the fire to natural boundaries when the weather is favorable and bulldozer lines may be used to further access and contain the fire.
  • Fire guard has been completed on south end.
  • Crews working to protect community values and critical infrastructure.
  • An Incident Management Team is established on the fire.
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Forest Fire Fight Helped By Weather

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Rain continues to lessen the forest fire threat in northwestern Ontario.

The Ministry of Natural Resources and Forestry reported just two new fires yesterday.

Both are about 40 kilometres northwest of Nakina.

There are now 137 active forest fires with 43 considered not under control.

Weather is also helping crews battling several large fires that have been threatening Cat Lake, Red Lake, Deer Lake and Poplar Hill.

The Ministry says many of those fires are displaying limited activity due to weather conditions.

The forest fire hazard remains low to moderate in the western portions of the region and high to extreme in the east.

Implementation Order Near Willard Lake Ends Tomorrow

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The MNRF’s Implementation Order near Willard Lake will end tomorrow morning.

The Ministry of Natural Resources and Forestry says while Kenora Fire #25 and #30 are not under control fire activity is minimal due to recent rains and cooler weather.

The public is reminded that Kenora fires 25 and 30 are active fires with ongoing fire suppression.

The MNRF says the interior of a forest fire is dangerous and the public should not enter this area.

Trees with weakened root systems could fall over and cause injury.

There will be visible smoke in the interior of this fire for some time. This is the normal process for extinguishing a forest fire.

Residents are reminded that an additional Implementation Order restricting public access to areas near the Kenora 27 fire, north of Minaki remains in effect until further notice.

There are currently 15 active fires in the region, but for the third day in a row there were no new forest fires.