LONDON, ONT - The Ministry of Natural Resources will undertake further surveys on a proposal for a spring bass fishing season on Lake Erie. 

The surveys will provide the basis for a decision on the merits of a proposal for spring bass fishing. MNR will not allow spring bass fishing on Lake Erie in 1998. Further public input may be conducted during the late fall of this year. 

MNR decided to conduct two angler surveys in response to concerns that its information on sport fishing on Lake Erie was out of date. The surveys "a Lakewide Angler Survey and an Angler Attitude Study" will gather current information on sport fishing activity on the lake. The Ontario Federation of Anglers and Hunters (OFAH) will assist with the surveys. 

A similar survey was completed in 1992 when walleye abundance was at historically high levels, but before the full impact of zebra and quagga mussels and phosphorus reductions was evident. 

MNR conducted six public meetings in late 1997 and early 1998 on the proposal. There was consensus that, if a spring season is considered: 

* Any new regulations should prevent or minimize angling for bass that are spawning and protecting nests. 
 
 

 

* New regulations should emphasize a quality recreational experience, not harvest, and there should be severe restrictions on the number and minimum size of bass that can be retained during a spring season. 

* A monitoring program to determine if recreation, economic opportunities, and sustainability objectives are achieved should accompany regulation changes.  MNR should be prepared to enforce new regulations. 

In most of Ontario, including Lake Erie, the bass fishing season does not open until the last Saturday in June. Currently, many Ontario anglers go to Lake Erie's south shore to fish for bass in the spring. New York and Pennsylvania recently introduced spring bass fishing seasons, while anglers have long been able to fish for bass in Ohio waters in the spring. 

A decision on whether or not Ontario will proceed with a pilot project to establish a spring bass fishing season on Lake Erie in 1999 will be based on biological factors and input from anglers and related businesses. 

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Amendment #2 to IL SB1195 amends the Fish and Aquatic Life Code and provides for 24 hours of fishing (now a one-day license for fishing in lake Michigan). The license fee is $5. It provides that the license exempts the 
licensee from the inland trout stamp or Lake Michigan stamp requirement and expires 24 hours after the effective date and time listed on the face of the license.  It also provides that residents 65 or older pay only half the 
regular fee for a sportsmen's combination license. 

While the new license eliminates the one-day Lake Michigan license, Ill. DNR Fish Chief Mike Conlin assured us that it will have no impact on funding the salmon program in Lake Michigan. 
 
 

It will offer a non-resident family of 4 the option of fishing anywhere in 
the State for $20, rather than having to buy annual non-resident licenses 
that could cost them up to $80 for the same family of four. 

From a marketing and public relations perspective, it makes sense.  Fish for 
$20 per family in Lake Michigan or Lake Shelbyville, or don't fish.

• Ill Jun 12-14 Larry Huelsman (217) 785-8297
• Mich Jun 26-28 Lynn Marla (517) 335-3428
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• Ill Sep 12-14 Larry Huelsman (217) 785-8297
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