Sat may 3rd

[MuskieBait]

There is quite considerable pressure along the waterfront. People get out fishing more than you think...just wait until pike opener and you'll see more people. I usually see a few guys each time I'm out. Now, a few guys may not seem a lot of pressure, but at the same time, the number of pike along the waterfront is not that high either. Foot work will help you find roving fish...but prime habitat may only hold a few resident fish...so once the few residents are removed, it will take time for replacements to arrive. If people keep removing the replacement, then we have an uphill battle for a stable fishery.

Also realize that pike will move in shallow in the spring and fall where they are more reachable by shore anglers...but come summer they will move deeper in the harbour. There is some daily movement just like on any piece of water...but that timing may be small depending on boat traffic and water temps.

People do fish the harbour for pike in the summer...so the fish that shows up in the spring and fall is the same population of fish being targeted by boat anglers in the summer in deeper water. The overall population number could be a bit overestimated.

Saying that, yes, the pike population is doing relatively well for an urban fishery...mindful that we are talking a huge body of water called Lake Ontario and not a small urban lake. It has a bit better capacity to recover. But the territorial nature of pike with established spawning and feeding areas throughout the season means they are also prone to overfishing.

As with any fishery that is dear to your heart...catch your limit but limit your catch...C&R with small amount of selective harvest is critical to maintain a stable and sustainable fishery.