Important message for walleye anglers

NEWS RELEASE

MINISTRY OF NATURAL RESOURCES

************************* Northeastern Ontario fishing blitz targets walleye

May 10, 2010 - Walleye will get special attention when the Ministry of Natural Resources conducts a fishing regulation blitz across Northeastern Ontario from May 15 to June 5, 2010.

The blitz are extends from Hudson Bay and James Bay in the north to the French and Mattawa rivers in the south, and from the Ontario-Quebec border in the east to Lake Superior and the Manitouwadge area in the west.

The blitz aims to ensure that anglers know and follow the rules.

The walleye fishery generally opens the third Saturday in May across the northeast.

Anglers are reminded of the following licensing requirements:

- Most Ontario, Canadian and non-Canadian residents need a valid Outdoors Card and fishing licence

- Residents of Ontario and Canada must have a valid fishing licence tag attached to a valid Outdoors Card

- Non-Canadian residents must have an Outdoors Card and a valid fishing licence tag carried as a separate document

- Outdoors Cards and licences are not transferable and they must be carried anytime you are fishing

- Anglers must show their licence to a conservation officer, if asked.

When transporting fish, anglers must ensure that fish length is readily measurable at all times for fish taken from water bodies where size limits are in effect, unless the fish are:

- Being prepared for immediate consumption

- Prepared at an overnight accommodation for storage

- Being transported on the water from a temporary overnight accommodation to a person's primary residence and that person is not engaged in sport fishing, or being transported overland.

In addition, when packaging fish you must ensure that a conservation officer can easily determine the species of fish and number of fish that are in your possession.

For more information on fishing regulations, please consult the 2010 Recreational Fishing Regulations Summary by clicking here before heading out to fish.

The summary is available at ServiceOntario/ Government Information Centres, from licence issuers, as well as on the ministry’s website.

Some patrols may be carried out jointly with the Ontario Provincial Police.

The police enforce other statutes, such as the Liquor Licence Act and Boating Restrictions Regulations.

Conservation officers also enforce Small Vessel Regulations and sections of the Liquor Licence Act.

To report a natural resources violation, call 1-877-TIPS-MNR (847-7667) any time or contact your local ministry office during regular business hours.

You can also call Crime Stoppers anonymously at 1-800-222-TIPS (8477).

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