Anglers Asked To Report Sightings Of Round Goby

TORONTO — Anglers need to be vigilant and report any sightings of round goby after one of the invasive fish was found near Lake Simcoe , Natural Resources Minister David Ramsay said today.

“The Ministry of Natural Resources and the Ontario Federation of Anglers and Hunters, partners in the Invading Species program, are very concerned about this and are monitoring the situation,” said Ramsay. “We are asking anglers, the baitfish industry and other stakeholders to work with us to help make sure this aggressive species doesn’t spread further to our inland lakes and rivers.”

A round goby was caught in Pefferlaw Brook, some three kilometres from Lake Simcoe, in early August. Anglers who catch a round goby should kill it and call the Invading Species Hotline (1-800-563-7711) or the local Ministry of Natural Resources office to report it. Gobies should not be released alive. Anglers are urged to keep the fish for identification purposes. Anglers and the baitfish industry are also reminded that it is illegal to release baitfish from one water body to another or to use gobies as bait.

Gobies, first discovered in Ontario in the St. Clair River in 1990, are now present in all of the Great Lakes. Gobies were discovered in the Trent River last summer and the discovery of this species in Pefferlaw Brook marks the second inland sighting in Ontario.

“It is clear we need to assess the extent of the current goby distribution in the waterway and look at potential options for controlling its spread,” said Mike Reader, Executive Director of the Ontario Federation of Anglers and Hunters (OFAH).

Under the Invading Species program, the OFAH is sending information about round gobies to bait shops, marinas and resorts in the Lake Simcoe area to alert residents and resource users.

Round gobies are usually less than 25 cm long, mottled brown in colour, with frog-like eyes and a single fused pelvic fin that resembles a suction cup. They are quite prolific, spawning several times per season, and can displace native fish by eating their eggs and young.

Ministry of Natural Resources
Ministère des Richesses naturelles

The Ministry of Natural Resources (MNR), the Ontario Federation of Anglers and Hunters (OFAH) and the Baitfish Association of Ontario (BAO) urge anglers on Lake Simcoe to be on the lookout for exotic fish species.  Exotic fish species, such as the round goby, can pose a major threat to local fisheries.  Following the positive identification of a round goby in the Pefferlaw River in August 2004 there is concern that this destructive intruder will expand its range. Anglers and baitfish dealers can play an important role in stopping its spread.

To help stop the spread of exotic species, anglers and baitfish dealers should:

·         Check bait buckets for exotic species before going out on the lake

·         Remove and freeze minnows suspected of being an exotic species not found in Lake Simcoe , and call the OFAH Invading Species Hotline at 1-800-563-7711.

·         Refrain from dumping bait buckets into the lake since this may introduce exotic fish species or plankton, which could harm the fishery. It is illegal to release baitfish from one waterbody to another or to use round gobies as bait.

Baitfish dealers must also check their tanks and remove any possible exotic species before selling their minnows.  The water used to transfer fish may contain less visible exotic species, such as the spiny water flea or the fish hook water flea.  Baitfish should be transferred to water that has been carefully checked and cleared of exotic species.

The round goby looks very similar in appearance to the native sculpin.  Both are relatively small (less than 10 inches or 25 cm in length) mottled brown in color and have frog-like eyes.  The easiest way to tell the difference between a sculpin and a goby is to check the fins on the fish's belly.  The sculpin has two separate pelvic fins.  The round goby has a single scallop-shaped pelvic fin forming a shape like a suction cup.  Males may also appear darker in colour.  Sculpin are native to Lake Simcoe and, although not regularly caught by anglers, will occasionally pick up small baits worked on or near the bottom.  Sculpin play an important role in the lake's ecosystem and should be released alive, if caught.

Round gobies can pose a very serious threat to local fisheries as they spawn several times per season.  They can displace native fish, eat their eggs and young, and take over the best fish habitat.  While round gobies are usually 3-6 inches (7.6-15.2 cm) long, they can reach lengths up to 10 inches (25.4 cm).  Gobies are aggressive feeders and offer very little sport or eating value to anglers.

A free, pocket-size, colour identification card of the round goby is available by calling the Invading Species Hotline.

Lake Simcoe is the largest inland lake in south central Ontario and offers anglers a wide variety of fish species to try and catch.  The assistance of anglers and baitfish dealers is crucial to stopping the spread of exotic species and preserving Lake Simcoe ’s tremendous fishery.

The OFAH works in partnership with MNR to operate the toll-free Invading Species Hotline.  The hotline plays an important role in recording and tracking sightings, raising public awareness to prevent introductions, and controlling the spread of exotic species. Information on the biology and distribution of exotic species can be found at www.invadingspecies.com.  Anglers can also find some excellent information on baitfish and exotic species on the BAO Web site at www.baitontario.com

To report the sighting of a new exotic fish species from Lake Simcoe , its tributaries like the Pefferlaw River or other waters in Ontario , please contact the Invading Species Hotline at 1-800-563-7711.

For further info rmation please contact:

Invading Species Awareness Program: 1-800-563-7711 - www.invadingspecies.com    -    invadingspecies@ofah.org

Wil Wegman - Ministry of Natural Resources, Aurora District - (905) 713-7730 -  wil.wegman@mnr.gov.on.ca

The Kawartha Lakes Competitive Fishing Events Committee (KLCFEC) was established in 1996 to try and deal with the concerns associated with competitive fishing events in this region. Today staff from tournament organizations, conservation groups and MNR continues to meet and work out solutions to the every-day challenges associated with the volume of competitive fishing events held in this part of Ontario .

The Kawartha Lakes , located in the Peterborough area of south central Ontario , are less than an hours drive from Canada 's largest city - Toronto , and the most populated area of the province. It is no wonder that these easily accessible, yet highly productive lakes receive substantial fishing pressure from both recreational anglers and from those fishing in organized competitive fishing events. This fact sheet has been put together to inform the angling public and others who enjoy visiting the Kawartha Lakes , about the KLCFEC.

Full Report , click here

This was the scene this past fall, 2002, at the base of the Bracebridge Falls as members of the Muskoka Bassmasters deposit 34 tons of shoal rock for future walleye spawning opportunities.

As the walleye population continues to improve in L. Muskoka, unique partnerships with the local MNR ensure the walleye have a place to spawn when they journey upstream into Bracebridge. The Muskoka Bassmasters, in partnership with the Ministry of Natural Resources, contributed to this effort by depositing shoal material, known as river rock, into key locations at the base of the Bracebridge Falls. This is the second project the club has undertaken with the MNR, the first being in 2000 when 51 tons of rock material was barged into the bay. Results of this effort in 2000 were immediate, with large numbers of spawning female walleye taking advantage of the newly created shoals the following spring.

Additional surveys by MNR Biologist, Bob Bergmann, indicated that the walleye were also trying to spawn in an area in front of the diving figure located just below the walking trail. Saturday's efforts concentrated on this area where all 34 tons were deposited on a natural stone shelf that extends out in front of the statue.

This additional spawning shoal, along with past efforts of the Muskoka Bassmasters and earlier work done by the MNR will ensure that the walleye will have a safe haven to deposit their eggs in. Once hatched, the fry return to L. Muskoka and contribute to a walleye populations that many say is returning to levels that haven't been seen since the 1960's.

The Muskoka Bassmasters would like to thank the contributions of Bob Bergmann, MNR Bracebridge, Lee van Ormer, barge operator, Crockfords Sand & Gravel for trucking services and Bracebridge Rent-All for use of their Bobcat.

Through the request of the Nova Scotia Department of Aquaculture and Fisheries (NSDAF), our governing body that controls our sport-fishery here in Nova Scotia, the Bluenose Bassmasters in 2002 applied for funding to hire a university student to carry out such tasks as: (1) confirming presence / absence of smallmouth bass and chain pickerel from current provincial lake distribution list's, (2) collect tournament size / age data from selected tournaments, (3) assist NSDAF in spring and fall juvenile SMB collections and (4) assist NSDAF in developing lake index sites for juvenile SMB. BBM's contribution to this excellent project was the organization and management of the project and student as well as all project funds, provide volunteer hours to help confirm populations, help with data collection and transport the student into certain areas of the province. Chapter President Mark Weare was involved in the entire process of application, interviewing potential candidates, hiring of the successful one and working with that person to schedule where they would be working and when as well as the all important ending of the project wrap-up / payment of student. NSDAF also used the services of the student in the major field work areas of this entrenching study, they provided the needed materials and expertise to carry out the more scientific oriented goals. More volunteer time by Mark and BBM was put forward attending several meetings for this project, keeping up on all the paper trails, placing multiple calls, organizing time and helping to confirm over 30 additional lakes with smallmouth populations. At the end of the project, a full report was submitted by both the student and BBM outlining the successes of the various study components in conjunction with the NS warm-water biologist, Jason Leblanc, with all data and subsequent recommendations.

The project data has been and will be used to create new smallmouth bass management regulations for our provincial fishery, release a current list of all lakes in Nova Scotia containing smallmouth or chain pickerel, create a juvenile list to track the population growths in NS and predict good recruitment years and further our own knowledge of the bass within our province. Data will also be used to establish population indices and survival, interaction between indigenous and non-indigenous species, and ensure the promotion and development of a sustainable sport fishing industry through it's tracking of non-indigenous species such as the smallmouth and pickerel.

The lucky student who was selected from the many applicants to conduct this study was Matthew Randall, Matt is a resident of Bridgewater, Nova Scotia and a dedicated smallmouth angler as well. Matt's commitment to the project was professional and strong enough that he was able to function properly with even less input then we had hoped for. A full time student at Sir Sanford Fleming College, Matt is currently in his second of study there. As we have said before, where were those jobs when we were growing up, getting paid to go fishing for the summer!

This is quite an accomplishment for us here in Bluenose, especially with it being done in our first year of chapter existence and knowing just how much of an impact it will have on our fishery and regulations, we think it is a very noteworthy project. This study and it's components have already garnished coverage with both the BASSMasters and BASSTimes publications, read by thousands worldwide.

Mark Weare
Bluenose Bassmasters
Chapter President