6 replies to this topic

[BassBozo]

Hello all!

 

My friends and I are relatively new to fishing. I am 24 and lived in Brampton my whole life. We all bought our first rods last year but its safe to say we're in love with it. I have a million questions and i hope i don't catch too much flak about my opinions or questions but either way i am ready for it!

 

We are faced with a few problems though considering how green we are.

 

First we have no idea where to fish in the GTA, as we like to go places during the week so driving many hours is out of the question. 

From what I read in the rules it says no one is allowed to say spot names and such so i assume i can't get much help on that front.

 

Next problem is, personally i love eating what i catch but it seems that in most places you're not allowed to do so. Also it seems some people frown upon people keeping their catch. I intend to fish the credit a lot this fall for salmon and trout as it is a beautiful place and heard that it's great.

Although, from what i gather from reading a few things, i am not allowed to keep said salmon and trout to eat if i catch them?

 

I don't want to violate any rules so my questions are: 

Can i eat fish i catch out of the credit in season?

If not, where can i go that isn't too far to catch and eat fish?

Is it bad that i want to eat something i catch?

Where are good spots to fish along the credit for trout and salmon?(pretty sure you cant tell me this but i saw some mention of pm'ing so i mine as well ask in case)

 

In summation im hoping a GTA veteran of this site can give me their philosophy on fishing in the GTA and what i should and should not be doing

 

I appologize in advance for any of my ignorance, and for the long post. My friends and I will be infinitely grateful for any guidance and info. Thank you very much. 

 

-BassBOZO

[chasingfish]

I generally eat what I catch (pending time of year and water body). If anyone tells me I'm wrong... Well I'll have some choice words for them. Do what u like, just be aware of the pollution around here. There is a guide on eating fish from lakes/rivers somewhere on the interwebs. Google it, see what you can find. As for where to fish, well, I doubt you'll get much info on that subject. Do some legwork and find some places. That's how we all started.

[Shawarma]

Start with the regulations on the minstry's website. They'll tell you exactly where you can catch and keep and where you must catch and release. Usually on some parts of the rivers there will be postings with the regulations when there's specific regs like no kill zones, barbless, single hook.. etc.  Your best bet would be the regulations posted online for your zone. A link is great, but if you look for it you'll get the hang of where and what to look for as you'll be visiting it often. 

 

The credit is great and plenty of areas to fish. Many easily accessed spots and others not so easy. Those that are easily accessed will see more fishing pressure and fishing will be tougher, but definitely doable. 

 

As for asking too many questions, you won't get much slack unless you're asking for specific locations but otherwise, fire away. There's also an immense amount of information burried in the site so search for it.. you'll be surprised at what you find from the wealth of info. 

[BearInTheWoods]

If people would just keep a conservative mind about when and where to keep fish there wouldn't be a problem. Keeping the fish isn't a problem in general.

 

I personally will only keep fish from my cottage because it is stocked and there is relatively low fishing pressure. I also read a study on lake trout and they found in the Algonquin area 80% of lake trout caught after July were female so again keeping the conservative mind I don't keep many after July.

 

Think about the lakes/rivers and their future before you keep a fish. Especially since you are just starting out. The increase in people fishing I've seen over the past few years has been in line with the decline of the local fishing holes.

 

I regularly see people walk out of "encouraged C&R" areas with a stringer of bass and then wonder 2 years later where all the bass went. I've seen the Ministry encourage a catch and kill of pike on my old favorite spot to try to convert it into a rainbow lake. Didn't get a single pike there last year and of the 2nd batch of rainbows they dumped in, a quarter died within an hour of hitting the water. Too shallow and warm. Free fish for quite a few people who were there though lol.

 

If you keep fish - don't keep the big ones! I mean in general for all species it is a good rule because those are the ones that are laying the eggs and sustaining the population.

 

Just to make sure I ram this point home - I am all for eating what you catch but only when are where it is sustainable.

 

Anyways I ramble on... please think about the future of the spot you're fishing for yourself and generations to come. And congrats for picking up the best sport/hobby/job (for the lucky few) in the world.

[balt0]

Also, the law is that the amount of fish in your possession.

[DILLIGAF?!]

If you're fishing Lake O. Just eat in moderation. As long as you're fishing within the rules implemented by MNR...why give a ... to what other people say? Keep what you're allowed to keep. Before I came upon this site...I was heavily relying on google where to fish in the GTA...and found a lot of areas. I don't thing it's that difficult to find spots around GTA. Also depend on what specie you're after. Just do some legwork on every specie and it will help you with the setups and also protect your gear. there are bigger fish that your gear might not be able to handle once you hook up.

[nicopags]

If people would just keep a conservative mind about when and where to keep fish there wouldn't be a problem. Keeping the fish isn't a problem in general.

I personally will only keep fish from my cottage because it is stocked and there is relatively low fishing pressure. I also read a study on lake trout and they found in the Algonquin area 80% of lake trout caught after July were female so again keeping the conservative mind I don't keep many after July.

Think about the lakes/rivers and their future before you keep a fish. Especially since you are just starting out. The increase in people fishing I've seen over the past few years has been in line with the decline of the local fishing holes.

I regularly see people walk out of "encouraged C&R" areas with a stringer of bass and then wonder 2 years later where all the bass went. I've seen the Ministry encourage a catch and kill of pike on my old favorite spot to try to convert it into a rainbow lake. Didn't get a single pike there last year and of the 2nd batch of rainbows they dumped in, a quarter died within an hour of hitting the water. Too shallow and warm. Free fish for quite a few people who were there though lol.

If you keep fish - don't keep the big ones! I mean in general for all species it is a good rule because those are the ones that are laying the eggs and sustaining the population.

Just to make sure I ram this point home - I am all for eating what you catch but only when are where it is sustainable.

Anyways I ramble on... please think about the future of the spot you're fishing for yourself and generations to come. And congrats for picking up the best sport/hobby/job (for the lucky few) in the world.

nailed it.