Proposed changes for bass seasons in Southern

Current bass season Zone 17: 4th Saturday in June – December 15 Current bass season Zones 18 and 20: 4th Saturday in June – November 30

Proposed bass season for Zones 17,18 and 20: 3rd Saturday in June – December 15 Fisheries Management Zones where the proposed bass season extensions are being considered. ontario.ca/zonecouncils

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Bass in Southern Ontario Bass Spawning Period and the Proposed Season

The , rivers and streams of Ontario support both The timing of spawning is closely related to water Water temperature data was used to relate the parental systems have continued to provide productive bass largemouth and smallmouth bass. Bass populations temperature. Bass are largely inactive during winter, care period of bass to the proposed season change. fisheries despite being angled during a portion of the in many parts of southern Ontario have responded become active after the water temperature rises above The critical parental care period typically ranges from parental care period for years. This may indicate that favourably to changes in angler attitudes, changes in about 10ºC, and begin to build a nest and lay eggs as 13.5-19 ºC. This includes the period from spawning to the risks to bass populations in larger systems such aquatic ecosystems and changes to climate. the water warms above 13.5ºC. Eggs are beginning to when fry are actively swimming. Temperature data from as the Great Lakes are lower, and that the systems hatch around 16-17ºC. By 19ºC all eggs are hatched (2000-2011), (1998-2011) are robust enough to accommodate angling during a Bass are nest-guarders. In the spring, males build and and fry are starting to become able to swim on their and the Bay of Quinte (2000-2008) suggest that the portion of the parental care period. defend a nest into which the female deposits the eggs. own. Parental guarding of the fry may go on for another critical parental care period is complete before the 3rd In cool years, when spawning is delayed, some The male cares for the eggs (e.g. fans eggs to provide 1-2 weeks. Saturday in June in most years. Temperature data from oxygen) and guards them until they hatch. It remains the St Lawrence River and eastern (2000­ bass may be still be guarding their nests and young to guard the newly hatched fry until they are able to Bass seasons in southern Ontario are closed during 2008) show that bass may still be providing parental when the bass season opens. The impacts on bass swim on their own. During this time, males are very the spawning period to protect nesting bass during care during both the current and proposed season. populations are expected to be limited for two reasons. aggressive in defending their nests. In addition, they the critical parental care period. Even if immediately Results of this analysis are illustrated in the graphs First, the largest bass, which make the greatest feed little, which can make this a stressful time for large released, angling leaves the eggs or fry unguarded and on the back page of this document for Balsam Lake, contribution to the population, spawn earliest and are male bass. vulnerable to predation. This is particularly important the Bay of Quinte and eastern Lake Ontario. These more likely to have completed their spawning activities in southern Ontario where there are a number of in most locations. Secondly, cool years often contribute Female bass generally produce 5,000-15,000 eggs per locations represent the range of temperatures for major species that may feed on the unguarded eggs or fry. A bass fisheries within these zones. little to bass populations, as young bass hatch later and kilogram, whereas a non-guarding species like walleye key consideration in determining seasons is the need may not have a long enough growing season to reach will produce hundreds of thousands of eggs. Guarding to protect the largest bass, which spawn earlier and The data suggests that neither the current season, nor the critical size for over-winter survival. ensures adequate numbers of offspring survive from contribute more to bass populations than smaller bass. the proposed season, provide full protection to bass Extending the bass season into early-winter will provide the relatively few eggs produced. The care provided An earlier open season will still protect the majority of during the parental care period on eastern Lake Ontario a limited amount of additional angling opportunities and (e.g. fanning of eggs) also allows bass to spawn in bass during the period of parental care. and the St. Lawrence River; however, angling for bass lower oxygen environments than other species (e.g. during this period is already occurring, and is legal improve consistency in the regulations in these zones. brook trout). in neighbouring jurisdictions (Quebec and New York Harvest of bass during this time period is expected to State have earlier opening dates than Ontario). These be limited.

Changing Climate…Changing Bass

In southern Ontario, spring, summer and fall air temperatures have generally increased since the 1970s. This has resulted in a longer ice-free period for inland lakes and the Great Lakes. Since bass spawning is linked to spring water temperatures, earlier bass spawning has been observed. Earlier spawning, in combination with warmer fall temperatures, results in a longer ‘growing season’ for bass. This is particularly important in their first year, as more bass are able to reach the critical size for first-year survival. The end result has been stronger and more consistent bass recruitment in much of the bass range in Ontario. Climate projections for southern Ontario suggest warming trends will continue, which should continue to provide favourable conditions for bass. (Below) Illustration of the parental care period (green box) for bass relative to the proposed season (dashed blue line) and the current season (dashed red line) for Balsam Lake (FMZ 17), Bay of Quinte (FMZ 20) and eastern Lake Ontario (FMZ Ultimately, fisheries management 20). Mean temperature by date, as well as maximum and minimum temperatures must balance sustainability of are shown. the resource and socio-economic benefits derived from them. Extension of the season could lead to more opportunities for the recreational angler and may lead to enhanced economic opportunities.

Summary

• Bass populations in Southern Ontario are responding favourably to changes in climate. • Longer growing seasons increase the growth and survival of bass, particularly in their first year. • Bass are spawning earlier in response to earlier spring warming. • Bass seasons can be opened one week earlier in many areas while still protecting bass during the parental care period.

Provide Comment

The MNR and the FMZ Advisory Councils in the zones where this change is being considered welcome your input into the proposal. Feedback received will inform the decision-making process. Please visit Ontario.ca/ zonecouncils and click on the appropriate FMZ to determine how you can comment on the proposal within a specific zone, or to obtain additional information.

ontario.ca/zonecouncils

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