Management Plan For Fisheries Management Zone 11 October, 2020 Ministry of Natural Resources & Forestry Management Plan for Fisheries Management Zone 11 Encompassing portions of the Ontario Ministry of natural Resources and Forestry Administrative districts of North Bay, Kirkland Lake, Sudbury, Parry Sound and Pembroke. I certify that this plan has been prepared using the best available science and is consistent with accepted fisheries management principles. I further certify that this plan is consistent with the Ontario Ministry of Natural resources and Forestry strategic direction, the Ontario Ministry of natural resources and Forestry Statement of Environmental Values and direction from other sources. Thus, I recommend this fisheries management plan be approved for Implementation. Prepared and submitted by: Approver Signature Date Jeff Amos Jeff Amos September 14, Aquatic Science Specialist, Northeast Region 2020 Recommended by: Approver Signature Date David Hintz, Manager David Hintz September 17, Fisheries Section, Policy Division 2020 Mitch Baldwin, Lead District Manager Mitch Baldwin September 30, North Bay District 2020 Northeast Region, ROD Andrew Lock, A/Manager Andrew Lock October 8, 2020 Regional Resources Section Northeast Region, ROD Approved by: Approver Signature Date Grant Ritchie, Regional Director, Grant Ritchie October 19, 2020 Northeast Region, ROD Management Plan for FMZ 11 Cette publication hautement spécialisée {Management Plan for Fisheries Management Zone 11} n'est disponible qu'en anglais conformément au Règlement 671/92, selon lequel il n’est pas obligatoire de la traduire en vertu de la Loi sur les services en français. Pour obtenir des renseignements en français, veuillez communiquer avec le ministère des Richesses naturelles et des Forêts au (705) 475- 5550. This highly specialized publication (Management Plan for Fisheries Management Zone 11) is available in English only in accordance with Regulation 671/92, which exempts it from translation under the French Language Services Act. To obtain information in French, please contact the Ministry of Natural Resources and Forestry at (705) 475-5550. We would like to thank all members of the Advisory Council for the many hours they spent informing this plan in order to support fisheries sustainability within Fisheries Management Zone 11. We would also like to acknowledge the significant contributions from former Ministry of Natural Resources and Forestry staff who pioneered both the supporting science and the management plan. Particularly the biologists and technicians from the North Bay district - we thank you for your professional expertise and commitment to excellence in natural resource management. Cover Page Photo Credits: o Full page photo: Troutbait lake, Kim Tremblay ii Management Plan for FMZ 11 Executive summary The management plan for Fisheries Management Zone 11 (FMZ 11) is intended to outline the status of the fisheries in the zone, describe management objectives and provide direction for management actions. Fisheries management planning is a key component of recreational fisheries management in Ontario. This operational framework provides the building blocks for improving the way recreational fisheries are managed in Ontario. Fisheries management planning is consistent with the Ministry of Natural Resources and Forestry’s (MNRF) current five-year strategic plan, Naturally Resourceful, and the goals and objectives of the Ontario Biodiversity Strategy. It is also aligned with the fisheries policy principles stated in Ontario's current Provincial Fish Strategy– Fish for the Future. The plan identifies monitoring that will take place to ensure that progress is being made towards meeting the management objectives and targets. The plan is a dynamic document designed to be flexible and adaptable to a wide range of future conditions and will be amended as required, with assistance from the Advisory Council and Indigenous Communities. Purpose and scope of the plan The FMZ 11 Management Plan was developed by MNRF with input and advice from the FMZ 11 Advisory Council, which is made up of a group of anglers, stakeholders, researchers, and interested community members. Input and advice were also sought from Indigenous communities whose traditional territories fall within the zone landscape. The planning area extends from Temiskaming Shores in the north to Trout Creek and the northern boundary of Algonquin Park in the south. The eastern boundary is the Ottawa River south of Mattawa and extends west to Highway 69, south of the French River (Figure 1). The fisheries management plan identifies management strategies and proposes actions to meet the stated goals and objectives. The plan also documents and describes recreational fishing regulation changes that were implemented January 1st, 2020, based on advice from the FMZ advisory council and following broad iii Management Plan for FMZ 11 consultation during 2018/19. The intent of the plan is to assist MNRF in balancing the demands placed on the resource with the biological capacity of the supporting ecosystems. This balance is based on analysis of fisheries data and collaborative discussions with members of the public, government and partner agencies, Indigenous communities and non-governmental agencies. Goal statements: • Fish Populations: Manage for the improvement of fisheries, including healthy natural fish populations, beyond a minimally sustainable condition; enhance harvest and recreational usage while providing a safe food source. • Aquatic Ecosystems: While minimizing the risk of invasive species, maintain healthy aquatic ecosystems and restore damaged aquatic ecosystems. • Education: Improve the general public’s respect for natural resources, their awareness of ethical practices around aquatic ecosystems and their knowledge of regulatory principles and practices. • Socio-Economic: Provide diverse ways for users to experience and interact with resources and support a fair valuation of the resources in order to promote socio-economic benefits from resource usage. Management objectives: The management plan is comprised of a series of broad management strategies that reflect management priorities within the zone. Each strategy identifies management issues, challenges, present status, and associated objectives and management actions for the following: • Management of Walleye, Lake Trout, Smallmouth and Largemouth Bass, Brook Trout, Northern Pike and Muskellunge • Fish stocking • Ecosystem changes • Fish habitat • Water levels These strategies, although target-specific, are largely consistent with the following objectives: • To increase or maintain fish abundance iv Management Plan for FMZ 11 • To develop a habitat protection and restoration strategy To increase public awareness of fisheries management • To work with partners to provide sustainable fishing opportunities • To prevent the arrival, establishment and/or spread of non-native and invasive species Walleye management The current Walleye regulations (four fish, none between 43cm and 60cm, not more than one over 60cm) initiated in 2008 were implemented in order to support population stability and an increase of fish of preferred sizes. After careful review, the decision was made to retain the current recreational angling Walleye regulations, but also to commit to ongoing review of Walleye monitoring data as it becomes available to inform future management actions. Lake trout management The status of natural Lake Trout waters in the zone is poor and has been characterized as unhealthy for decades. The Plan objectives for Lake Trout are thus to increase overall abundance, and specifically, to increase the abundance of adult Lake Trout within the zone. The plan describes actions implemented to achieve these objectives through modification of Lake Trout seasons and limits. The regulation change also included a size restriction on natural and diversionary lakes, with the restriction determined by the known growth rates of Lake Trout within a waterbody. Lake Temagami will also have a catch and release season during the month of September. Listed below are the former regulations and regulation changes implemented January 1st, 2020 for Lake Trout: v Management Plan for FMZ 11 Items Former regulations Regulation change Season February 15 to third February 15 to third Sunday in Sunday in March and third March and third Saturday in May Saturday in May to to Labour Day. September 30. Limits S-2 and C-1 S-2; not more than 1 greater than 40 cm, and C-1 Limit exception – S-2 and C-1 S-2; not more than 1 greater Cross Lake, Kokoko than 50 cm, and C-1 Lake, Diamond Lake and Makobe Lake Season and limit Limits: S-2 and C-1 Limits: S-2; not more than 1 exception – Lake greater than 50 cm, and C-1 Temagami Season: February 15 to Regular season: February 15 to third Sunday in March and third Sunday in March and third third Saturday in May to Saturday in May to labour day. September 30. Catch and release season: Day after Labour day to September 30.Limits: S-0 and C-0 Obabika Lake Fish sanctuary – closed Remove fish sanctuary. all year Season: same as zone Limit: S-1 and C-0 Cut and McConnell Fish sanctuary – no Fish sanctuary – no fishing from Lakes fishing from January 1 to January 1 to Friday before the April 30 and October 1 to third Saturday in May and day December 31. Live fish after Labour day to December may not be used as bait. 31. Live fish may not be used as bait. (S) – sports licence; (C) – conservation licence vi Management Plan for FMZ 11 Brook