A meeting to address concerns expressed by membership regarding
the Lower Beverley Lake fishery was held on June 17, 2000. These
concerns include netting of coarse fish during the late winter/early
spring period and the possibility of creating fish sanctuaries
prompted by reduced creel count of game fish.The Township of Rideau
Lakes demonstrated their support in Resolution # 429-99.
We were pleased with support from the Ministry of Natural Resources,
including Anne Bendig, Area Biologist, Lanark-Leeds, and Dale
McLenaghan, Water Resources Technician. Also in attendance were
Robert Jaquith, licensed commercial fisher, and Mike Hart, retired
Conservation/Fish and Wildlife Management Officer (and LBLA member),
and a number of interested LBLA members.
Anne Bendig and Mike Hart indicated our concern with coarse fishing
was misplaced, and that regulated commercial fishing is an important
part of overall fisheries management of the lake. Removal of allowed
species in compliance with allocated quotas enhances game fish
stock by reducing predators that attack spawning beds. They also
indicated that establishment of fish sanctuaries required significant
effort with marginal results.
MNR had responded to our expression of concern last August, indicating
an assessment of the current fish population was necessary before
designing any fisheries management for the lake, and suggested
a netting program carried out by MNR and voluntary creel diaries
by interested stakeholders on LBL.
Anne Bendig reported that funding has been received for a NEAR
SHORE COMMUNITY INDEX NETTING project, to be conducted on Lower
Beverley Lake in August in partnership with a team from Queens
University. This will involve random net setting around the lake,
with each dayÕs catch catalogued and measured, for comparison
to indices based on results at similar lakes. Bob Jacquith (commercial
fisher) and Ted Brett/Nick Neiley (LBLA) volunteered to assist
in setting nets when the study is under way.
Game fish stocking in LBL is considered unnecessary because current
data indicates the fish population is adequate (and well supported
in the enriched lake environment).
Mike Hart suggested an approach to address pre-season bass fishing,
by preventing cast and retrieve fishing within 20 meters of shore
between May 1 and the opening of bass season. He will develop
a formal proposal for consideration at the LBLA Annual Meeting,
for subsequent submission to other lake associations.
Effort is underway to obtain a template for creel diaries, and
Ted Brett/Clyde Bressler volunteered to work on this effort. This
project will be targeted for implementation next season (2001).
