www.ocoa.ca
MEDIA RELEASE
January 8, 2007.
ONTARIO'S CONSERVATION OFFICERS' ADVICE FOR A WACKY WINTER
Ordinarily by early January, thousands of anglers are on the ice across Ontario, enjoying their favourite winter pastime. This year however, Mother Nature has definitely altered the landscape of our lakes and rivers, making ice fishing all but impossible in most of the province. Anywhere south of North Bay, open water is the norm, and in areas where the ice is forming, safe conditions are likely weeks away. The OCOA would like to offer some helpful advice for those determined to go fishing this winter:
If your best fishing spot is still ice free, don't despair. OCOA President, Dan VanExan, a field Conservation Officer (CO) in Belleville, says many people have been calling offices in Southern Ontario with questions about the legalities of fishing in open water in the winter. "It's perfectly legal to fish in the open water during the winter - from shore or in a boat - the only major difference is that you're only allowed one line instead of the two used for ice fishing", says VanExan. Remember that many areas have special closed seasons in the winter, particularly for trout in central Ontario, and these closures are in effect regardless of the condition of the water.
For those who are fortunate enough to have ice on their favourite lake, please use extreme caution this winter. Even on lakes that have been frozen for several weeks, changing weather has not allowed for good ice formation. In many cases warm weather has caused the ice to actually weaken over the Christmas holiday season. Particular attention needs to be paid to any areas where current may affect the ice; many streams and rivers are running at near spring levels due to the warm temperatures and rain. Even as far north as Temagami, local COs are reporting that the larger, deeper lakes still have only a thin layer of unsafe ice, while smaller lakes may have only enough ice to support a person on foot. When in doubt, contact a local guide or outfitter for current conditions
No matter where or when you intend to fish, take a moment to make sure your angling licence hasn't expired on December 31, and that you are familiar with the fishing regulations in the area you intend to fish. "If in doubt, call your local CO and ask", advises VanExan. "Officers are always willing to answer questions, and a few minutes on the phone can save you the embarrassment and cost of inadvertently breaking the law."
Anyone with information about a natural resources related offence is encouraged to call the 24 hour violation reporting line at 1-877-TIPS-MNR, contact their local CO directly, or call Crime Stoppers at 1-800-222-TIPS (8477).
For more information about natural resources regulations and enforcement, please visit the OCOA website at www.ocoa.ca , or contact your local Conservation Officer.
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For further information:
Dan VanExan
President
Ontario Conservation Officers Association
(613) 478-6132
