Fishing

Golden Lake reopens to walleye fishing January 1, 2007

Extracted from the Eganville Leader, December 20, 2006

The walleye fishery in Golden Lake will re-open January 1 after a five-year moratorium.  The fishery will re-open with the following special regulations:

For anglers with an Ontario sport fishing licence:

• A two fish limit

• A 50 cm minimum size limit

For anglers with a valid Ontario conservation licence:

• A one fish limit

• A 50 cm minimum size limit

The moratorium started January 1, 2002 in an effort to re-build the walleye population in the lake.  Over the past five years, the Ministry of Natural Resources implemented a stocking program to help establish a naturally reproducing walleye population in the lake.

The Golden lake Walleye Committee, including representatives from the Algonquins of Pikwakanagan, tourist operators and local anglers, supported the moratorium.

Golden lake supported a healthy walleye fishery during the 1970s, but due in part to over-fishing and water quality changes, the fishery collapsed in the late 1980s.

MNR conducted a Near Shore Community Index Netting survey in the summer of 2006, assessing the state of the overall fish community.  The results of this study, although inconclusive, indicate that the walleye population has grown and can support a limited fishery with special size and catch limit regulations in place.  Future surveys focusing specifically on walleye will provide a more comprehensive assessment of the current state of the walleye population and the success of the moratorium.