Limiting fishing pressure

[wind drift]

This year has been a real eye opener. Our lakes and streams are facing so much fishing pressure and general recreational use. Is it time to consider limiting the numbers of anglers at some waters? Perhaps special permits with an annual quota? Booking days? Thoughts?

[Smoky buck]

NO

Yes some popular lakes are busy with COVID and layoffs. Not all are busy either and it doesn’t take much exploring. I have had no issues catching fish either

We have regulations to manage harvest and limit impact already. If changes are needed to help fish stocks that is reasonable but not into time share and stuff like that

If Alberta went down the path you are suggesting it would be a mistake in my opinion

[58thecat]

Well aroumd here what I have seen is nothing and I mean nothing compared to when the oil was booming.....there was a lot of people back then out on the water....I spend a lot of time out on the water around this area and have no issues or concerns to what I see going on as in pressure on fish etc....people are out but dont have the cash to put into all the toys so they sit on beaches or camp and spend time hiking, biking, paddle boarding , kayaking etc....

[Pikeonafly]

They need to increase the charges for poaching and signs to warn people not to poach. Far too many poachers out here just wanting to take fish home without even following regulation.

Limiting fishing pressure only hurts individuals who follow regulations. Those who want fish don’t care about it.

[Smoky buck]

Originally Posted by Pikeonafly

They need to increase the charges for poaching and signs to warn people not to poach. Far too many poachers out here just wanting to take fish home without even following regulation.

Limiting fishing pressure only hurts individuals who follow regulations. Those who want fish don’t care about it.

This is more of a reasonable response

[FlyTheory]

Originally Posted by Pikeonafly

They need to increase the charges for poaching and signs to warn people not to poach. Far too many poachers out here just wanting to take fish home without even following regulation.

Limiting fishing pressure only hurts individuals who follow regulations. Those who want fish don’t care about it.

100% agree

[58thecat]

Originally Posted by Pikeonafly

They need to increase the charges for poaching and signs to warn people not to poach. Far too many poachers out here just wanting to take fish home without even following regulation.

Limiting fishing pressure only hurts individuals who follow regulations. Those who want fish don’t care about it.

Yup first offence 5k

Second offence 10k and loose your ride too....or anything associated with this crime up to and including your house.....now we are talking harsh realities to arsehole activities .

[Lornce]

Years ago, I helped Trout Unlimited install regulation signs along trout streams. Sadly, most did not last more than a couple of years, either shot to pieces or sawed/knocked down.

Seems to be an attitude with some campers on catch and release waters of “well we’ll only catch a couple to eat or let the kids taste fresh fish”. Not realizing that stocking does not happen on most Trout streams in Alberta. They are taking next year's spawners. And leave nothing for stock. The attitude of I’ll only take a couple of magnified times the number of uneducated outdoor users might be more than our Stream can take. Poaching is not always a greedy individual filling a freezer but uneducated people doing stupid things.

Finding more and more worm containers and evidence of poached fish (all reported) in areas where camping is heavy. There is also much more garbage and less respect for the land than ever before.

Last week while fly fishing through a campground I gathered a crowd of various ages and did an impromptu lecture for about an hour and a half about the stream ecosystem with lots of questions applause at the end (I’ve often given talks at sportsman and fly-fishing shows). Wish we had the funds to have people do this for the public. I believe it would help.

[Outbound]

We don't need to limit access. If anything, we need to promote fishing and education more. Tripling the number of fish cops would be great as enforcement is tough as it is.

Personally I'd also like to see many waters ban bait and ice fishing. I like to ice fish as much as the next guy but some waters would do well without that pressure. It's done in BC and most lakes without ice fishing have excellent open water seasons.

Single barbless hooks would also be nice to see and on a selfish note, some lakes and streams could go to fly fishing only.

Overall though, no I don't think we need to limit access. Just gotta tweak a few things.

[I’d rather be outdoors]

Originally Posted by Smoky buck

NO

Yes some popular lakes are busy with COVID and layoffs. Not all are busy either and it doesn’t take much exploring. I have had no issues catching fish either

We have regulations to manage harvest and limit impact already. If changes are needed to help fish stocks that is reasonable but not into time share and stuff like that

If Alberta went down the path you are suggesting it would be a mistake in my opinion

X100

Firm no.

[roper1]

Lots of water C&R, leave it that way. Caught many a fish with mouth scars,big ones. Put them back gently for reproduction & someone else's turn. As others have said, really, really nail the poachers!!

[Kings]

I would agree with Smoky buck.
A firm NO to reduce the number of Anglers.
Also more Anglers means more money and the money should be well spent for improving our fisheries. Not suppress it.
Cheers

[smitty9]

Originally Posted by wind drift

This year has been a real eye opener. Our lakes and streams are facing so much fishing pressure and general recreational use. Is it time to consider limiting the numbers of anglers at some waters? Perhaps special permits with an annual quota? Booking days? Thoughts?

Classified waters on the Eastern Slopes trout streams, especially in ES1, especially for native trout...

...no brainer.

Anglers have to be managed better.
Anglers need to be more educated.
Ditto - if not more -> big ditto to random campers.

As I see it, the province has some choices here:

1) More regs, more fees, more constrictions, less freedoms (curtail or limit random camping)
or
2) More enforcement
or
3) A combo of both, though I'd be happy right now just to see more enforcement as a starter.


F&W in this province needs to double in size. Triple would be better. I spoke to one officer, he'd like to see 300, for the entire province.

There's 125.

For the whole province.

It's absolutely ridiculous.


This wild west, free-for-all needs to change. Now. Drastically.

Enough said.

[Pikeonafly]

Originally Posted by smitty9

Classified waters on the Eastern Slopes trout streams, especially in ES1, especially for native trout...

...no brainer.

Anglers have to be managed better.
Anglers need to be more educated.
Ditto - if not more -> big ditto to random campers.

As I see it, the province has some choices here:

1) More regs, more fees, more constrictions, less freedoms (curtail or limit random camping)
or
2) More enforcement
or
3) A combo of both, though I'd be happy right now just to see more enforcement as a starter.


F&W in this province needs to double in size. Triple would be better. I spoke to one officer, he'd like to see 300, for the entire province.

There's 125.

For the whole province.

It's absolutely ridiculous.


This wild west, free-for-all needs to change. Now. Drastically.

Enough said.

~125 F&W officers, people!

Take photos of poachers holding the fish, take photo of their licence plates and most of all... be discrete and never confront them unless you’re a brave soul.

I received my 6th(approx. $800) check last week for reporting poachers this season alone! If you’re in the position to report anyone then do it. Don’t shrug it off as none of your business, 1 fish poached is 1 fish not able to reproduced. If dozens are taken every day, there will be nothing left for anyone.

[OL_JR]

I wouldn't base any regulation decisions on what is going on this year. It's an anomaly.

[Kurt505]

Originally Posted by OL_JR

I wouldn't base any regulation decisions on what is going on this year. It's an anomaly.

Bingo

I highly doubt Boat, RV and Diesel truck sales are through the roof here this year because of the fishing refs, lol.

[CardiacCowboy]

This year might not be the norm but lots that started this year will keep at it. So many I have run into just thought "might as well go fishing". No idea on the regs.

I have always been more on educating then reporting but word needs to get out that the rules must be followed. When I can I will now be reporting.

[goku88]

Originally Posted by wind drift

This year has been a real eye opener. Our lakes and streams are facing so much fishing pressure and general recreational use. Is it time to consider limiting the numbers of anglers at some waters? Perhaps special permits with an annual quota? Booking days? Thoughts?

install cams at docks and high fishing pressures! do this at lot of thieves go away or very least much less poaching. maybe less garbage too.nature is so nice until its litter with garbage. real fisherman take there crap away.red neck to me is anyone who doesn't give a...these same people dont feel good until they do something to **** you off. they dont litter their home.

[FlyTheory]

Originally Posted by roper1

Tough call on making some waters fly-fishing only. You a bow-hunter or a rifle-hunter or a hunter?

Hard to make soft calls, boat vs non-boat, motorized vs manpower, type of fishing, etc.

I think KISS it, C&R unless the fishery can handle some retention.

Fly fishing only areas, I agree, aren’t practical. I think single barbless is a good idea though. Itd do much more for the fish.

[Red Bullets]

Agree with single barbless hooks.


The way it's going in 30 years you will have to register and buy an outdoors card. Each card is loaded with 240 outdoor hours for the year. Will have to register where you are going with GPS coordinates and times. Entitled to 80 hours fishing, 80 hours hunting, 5 days for camping and 80 hours trapping. Use the hours up or lose them next year. No banking hours for next year and extra hours cannot be bought or sold.