Thames River does a vanishing act

Thames River does a vanishing act
By Randy Richmond, The London Free Press


It’s one of only 42 Canadian Heritage Rivers, and — at 273 km long — one of Southwestern Ontario’s biggest.

More than 500,000 people live in the seven counties and 54 municipalities in the area it drains.

But to the federal government, the Thames River ain’t no Scugog, Pigeon, Otonabee or Rosedale River — not even a Stevens Creek or Kemptville Creek.

Those smaller and lesser known waterways — none of them Heritage Rivers — will remain on Ottawa’s list of navigable waters, and under its protection if proposed amendments to federal legislation go ahead.

The Thames will be dropped.
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Chill Out: Fall Largemouth Bass and Trout are Still Out There

This month's issue of Ontario Out of Doors magazine indicates now's a good time for Largemouth Bass, not to mention Steelhead/Rainbow Trout, and I'd assume Brown Trout too.

I've known for awhile that Trout is a cold water fish, but the tips and tricks (such as bouncing between artificial lures and real fish eggs) seemed useful to me.

The Largemouth Bass article was a whole different beast, indicating that Largemouth Bass get quite active now in preparation for winter, and that you shouldn't bother going out once the water temperature drops below 10C.

Also, stick to cover (rocks, boulders, trees) as that tends to be where the warmth is, and thus the fish.

Really made me want to get the waders on and get out there! I'd like to brave it, but so far as I know, the Forest City (London, Ontario) isn't a great fishery for Largemouth or Trout. I know of one hole that's promising for Trout, and I've seen a few small Largemouth Bass in Mill Pond, but not much else.

If you're an avid Forest City angler, share some spots, and let us know where the honey holes are! Or, just invite us out for a morning!

Proposed Changes for Bass Season in Zones 17. 18. and 20

The MNR (Ministry of Natural Resources of Ontario) is looking at changing the Bass Season opening in Zones 17, 18 and 20. They are looking at changing the date from the 4th Saturday in June to the 3rd Saturday in June.

Click here for the full report.

In my opinion, if their data is accurate, is the change would be fine in zones 17 and 18, but zone 20 warms up more slowly as it is a large body of water and the extra week could make a difference in bass stocks.

It will be interesting to see if there are any proposed changes for zone 16 coming.

Local anglers fined and banned after exceeding walleye catch limit

Local anglers fined and banned after exceeding walleye catch limit
by Dave Battagello

Two Windsor anglers have been fined a total of $3,100 for reeling in 31 more walleye than their fishing licences allowed during a trip earlier this year in the Peterborough area, according to the Ministry of Natural Resources.

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How many dead fish would be “significant”?

How many dead fish would be “significant”?
Krystyn Tully, Waterkeeper.ca Weekly

A nuclear power plant in Ontario should be allowed to kill millions of fish each year, say staff of the Canadian Nuclear Safety Commission (CNSC). Their surprising recommendation is part of the final environmental assessment report for Ontario Power Generation’s plan to refurbish four nuclear reactors at its Darlington Nuclear Generating Station on the north shore of Lake Ontario.

CNSC staff are asking Commissioners, acting together with the Department of Fisheries and Oceans, to allow OPG to operate a “once-through” cooling system. This outdated system will suck in water from Lake Ontario to cool the nuclear reactors, then discharge warmed water back to the lake all day every day for a half-century.

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Canada - U.S. toughen laws to protect Great Lakes

Canada - U.S. toughen laws to protect Great Lakes
BY TOM GODFREY ,TORONTO SUN

TORONTO - Canada and the U.S. are toughening laws that deal with pollution and intrusive fish species, including Asian carp, that are causing major problems in the Great Lakes.

Environment Minister Peter Kent was in Washington, D.C. on Friday to sign an updated Great Lakes Water Quality Agreement that has not been amended for 40 years.

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Fishing Report September 6th, 2012

With the impending rain, I decided to get out last night for a short fishing trip down to the Forks of the Thames. I got there about 8:30 and left at 10:00.  We used hot dogs.  I caught a white bass around a pound in the first couple of minutes and thought, great they generally travel in large schools and we would be hitting white base every cast. No suck luck as he was clearly the only one in the area. My next catch was my first Spiny Soft Shelled Turtle. The one was big, at least half a meter in length. She was released without incident. (That brings my Thames River Turtle species count to 4: Snapping, Spiny Soft Shelled, Painted and Red Ear Slider) That was it for my night of catching.  My daughter who was almost asleep at 5 to 10 jumps out of her chair and her reel starts screaming.  This fish pulled off well over 100 feet of line before she turned it. After her initial panic, she settled into the lift and reel down rhythm.  After a good 5 minutes she pulled in and released a nice sized carp ( 8-9 lbs) It was then off the home. I know she's telling every kid at school this morning about her monster fish.