Need better identification!

[MichaelAngelo]

(05-26-2013 12:34 PM)MuskieBait Wrote:  Between MA and I, our vision for this contest is not only intended for bragging rights. We hope to encourage members to widen their fishing horizon for different species, and at the same time "forcing" members to work on their skills in identifying various species you may encounter in Ontario.

Mis-identification of species often leads to various issues...including the capture and possession of species that are out of season, the misuse of Species At Risk species for bait, and killing of native species that are confused with invasive species (or the transport and release of invasive that should not be done so).

Exactly. Like MuskieBait said, one aim of this contest is to encourage members to learn about fish identification. The Ministry expects anglers to be responsible for identifying their catches.

For example, let's said you catch a bunch of "minnows" in your bait net. The next day you're out on the water fishing with these "minnows" in your bait bucket. You are approached by a conservation officer who asks to inspect your bait. Next thing you know you have a big fat ticket and may even have your fishing gear confiscated!

Why you ask? Because the fish you were using as bait was a species at risk and not permitted for use as bait.

There are some species of "minnows" that are species at risk, for example the Redside Dace or Silver Shiner. To the unpracticed eye, they look almost exactly like every other fish in the bucket. As anglers it's our responsible to know what is what. Ignorance isn't an excuse you can give to a conservation officer.

Hope that helps clear things up! Here's a great resource to get started with identification:

http://www.dfo-mpo.gc.ca/regions/central...26-eng.htm