Several groups of concerned sport fisher-folk approached the Ontario government Ministry of Natural Resources with their concerns; that we would like to see commercial fishing in Lake Erie abolished. The MNR, already in negotiations with the commercial fishing industry, said that commercial fishing is here to stay.
Of course, the commercial fishery have much more funding to contribute to politicians and their parties, and funding available to run campaigns etc.
The MNR has made the announcement ( see below) that they have signed an agreement with the commercial fishery industry. This agreement is so self-serving on both their parts, that it defies reasoning or common sense. The agreement puts the commercial fishing industry ‘in charge’ of their own fact gathering processes and policing – which is like putting a fox in charge of the hen house. The government is going to also use this data – to help regulate (all – including sport) fishing. As well, wouldn’t you know – the government is going to get an increase in royalties from all the fish caught from the commercial fishery.
Simply – our Ontario politicians won’t respond in the sport fisher’s favor – if you and I singly approach them – even en-mass: They will give you rhetoric, and statements that’ll effectively (as far as they’re concerned) put you on hold -permanently. They’ll dead end you with a volley of confusing fact and figures. Always remember, when you’re dealing with Ontario bureaucrats, that ‘bullshit baffles brains’ – so – when they lay their crap upon you. – don’t lose sight of your focus! They’ll also try to make us feel like small frogs in a big pond.
Michigan, Ohio, Pennsylvania and New York have all made new regulations to date for 2004, The Commercial netters NOTHING!!!
The only way we can stop this netting now that it is so political and is actually making money for the Government, is to totally BOYCOTT all Canadian Walleye fillets. This is due to the fact that 80% of walleyes bought at Fish Markets, Stores and Restaurants are caught in Canadian waters of Lake Erie. They want you to think that the walleyes come from the lakes and rivers of upper Canada but they are basically reaping our US stocking programs.
We as Sportsmen can make a big influence on the amount of Walleyes sold by just not purchasing any walleye fillets. Also everytime you see walleye in the store or on a menu ask the waiter or worker if they are Canadian walleyes, if they are tell them about the boycott and we may be able to slow down the quantities that they catch. They will not net if they have nowhere to go with the fish.
We must show them ( the Ontario government) that by their present course, they are not only disrespectful of millions of people on both sides of our borders, but they are sadly disrespectful of the renewable natural resources within Lake Erie – that we share.
Do people honestly go to a store and purchase walleye fillets? It may sound dumb, but I have never even thought of doing that, nor do I know of anyone who has. I’ve never even seen these sold at any grocery store. Maybe I missed a whole lot more than I originally thought during my six trips around the globe. 
Any supermarket or fish market will usually have them on display. So, let’s help out the cause and let em sit in the display case. 
