The Ontario Ministry of Natural Resources is seeking public feedback on proposed changes to recreational fishing rules on the lower Ganaraska River, with a survey that will close on August 22, 2024.
The changes focus on protecting migrating Chinook salmon, with more than 30,000 salmon passing through Port Hope annually. The proposal includes a new fish sanctuary from September 1 to October 14, targeting protection for 90 per cent of the salmon during peak migration.
Corbett’s Dam and other barriers slow down migration, creating vulnerable bottlenecks. To address this, the proposed sanctuary extends existing protection, aiming to reduce fishing pressure on salmon as they gather below the dam.
Additionally, the proposal offers an extended fall fishing season from October 15 to December 31. This extension increases fishing opportunities for species like rainbow trout, brown trout, and Atlantic salmon, without threatening the Chinook salmon population.
The proposed rules are based on data collected since 2017 using Riverwatcher technology, which tracks fish movements at Corbett’s Dam. This data has guided the selection of dates to ensure the protection of migrating salmon while allowing extended angling opportunities.
The ministry is seeking public input to finalizing these changes, aimed at balancing conservation efforts with recreational fishing interests.
For more information and to provide feedback, visit Survey: new fishing rules on the lower Ganaraska River | EngageOntario
(Written by: Joseph Goden)
