Lake Surveys Will Help Manage Fisheries

For Immediate Release
June 18, 2009

Lake Surveys Will Help Manage Fisheries
Natural Resources Crews Monitoring Northeastern Ontario Lakes

NEWS

Provincial fisheries staff are out on northeastern Ontario lakes this summer, monitoring their health and gathering information to help manage fish populations effectively.

Teams of biologists and technicians have collected samples from about 60 lakes to test for water quality and invasive species. Crews recently began biweekly angler surveys by plane. Starting June 22, crews will begin netting surveys on about 60 inland lakes.

If you're on a lake that is being monitored and see Ministry of Natural Resources buoys, please avoid recreational activities in these areas. All nets will be clearly marked.

QUICK FACTS

• This is the second year of a five-year cycle to collect information for fisheries management. Over five years, the ministry will monitor approximately 500 lakes across the Northeast Region.
• Crews will conduct netting surveys in 30 lakes in Fisheries Management Zone (FMZ) 11 (around North Bay), 20 lakes in FMZ 8 (near Timmins and Kirkland Lake) and nine lakes in FMZ 10 (north of Elliot Lake).
• About 1.4 million anglers fish in Ontario each year. They spend more than $2.3 billion in the province annually.

For More Information

Jeff Amos, Northeast Science and Information, 705-235-1214

Media Desk, Communications Services Branch, 416-314-2106

General Enquiries

Natural Resources Information Centre
1-800-667-1940
TTY 1-866-686-6072 (Hearing Impaired)