Why is the walleye slot different on Balsam?, Thoughts or facts if you have them?

Firstly, I am not a big hard water ice fisherman and am sympathetic to those that did not get a great season this year. That said I am getting excited about the early Spring for Crappie and of course Walleye in May.

I refreshed my memory on the regs this year and one thing that has always caught my attention and interest was why Balsam lake has a reverse slot from the rest of Zome17?

Does anyone know why? Is it a sort of trial?

MC

A study was done years ago and they found those we the best breeding size for that lake.

Most of my fishing is done on Balsam and Sturgeon. I would be very happy if they changed the regulations to between 18 to 22 inch slot size and dropped the limit to 2 walleye for a sportsman license and 1 walleye for a conservation license in zone 17. That way the younger walleye can get in a few spawns and the monster walleye could do their thing as well. I would much rather keep 2 walleye around 20 inches, than 4 walleye at 15 or 16 inches. A 20 inch walleye is twice as fat as a small walleye, so you get a nice dinner and only take out two walleye from the lake instead of four. Makes sense to me.

Hey CP, I agree, but don't use common sense....lol, it just confuses the regulators....lol.

That is a good way to look at that situation Jamie and I completely agree.

Arnie

This is the part that I find interesting, What would be different about Balsam versus Cameron which is connected via one lock? And of course the rest of the Kawartha Lakes.

MC

I 2nd the idea of 2 Walleye with a sportsman and 1 with a conversation license. I grew up fishing Scugog for Walleye and something should have done sooner to protect it. The rest of the Kawarthas was restricted and protected their Walleye populations...would hate to see this happen somewhere else. A bit of a high jack on the thread...for that I apologize...but a slot size alone is not enough and one would think it would be consistent throughout the zone

This is the part that I find interesting, What would be different about Balsam versus Cameron which is connected via one lock? And of course the rest of the Kawartha Lakes.

MC

I can't remember exactly when they changed it on Balsam. Like Woodfarmer said a study was done. Fish counts etc.etc. Around 15 years ago it was a test case just for that lake. So I guess it is staying that way for the foreseeable future. Who knows.

also might consider restocking scugog and then with all kawartha lakes take turns shutting down walleye every couple years on different lakes gives some a good spawning run . they should also use the students in the fish and wildlife course to help enforce the laws on the lakes stopping boats and people shore fishing to check fish limits they have , the more people on the water possibly the less over limit and size rules that will be broken it helps give the students experience dealing with anglers.

Sort of a good idea as far as intent goes. however they have no legal authority to do squat



this has been tried in the past and did not work too well.


they could however get involved with surveys