An area biologist is angling for opinions from Athabascans who want to eat some home-caught walleye next fishing season.
Water bodies in northeastern Alberta have a zero-catch limit on all walleye, and have for several years since the population of the fish species was reported to be in a drastic decline. Former Alberta Fish and Wildlife biologist Ray Makowecki is among local anglers who now say the regulation needs to be adjusted, as walleye have not only rebounded, but they are starting to disrupt other fish populations.
Makowecki organized a meeting last month near St. Paul, and invited anglers, area politicians and community members to have a say in the fishing regulations for nearby lakes. He said there were several people from Athabasca at the meeting.
“We have to take everything from this meeting, and find a solution for these anglers,” he said.
He also said his hope was to see regulations change for next year, so people could go to a lake and catch a walleye to eat.
“The no-limit situation is completely unacceptable, and change needs to happen soon,” he said.
Several lakes across Alberta are still listed as having collapsed walleye populations, including Lac Bellevue, Lac La Biche lake, Moose Lake, Seibert Lake and Kehewin Lake. In 2016, walleye could be caught in some local lakes, like Baptiste Lake, where there was a draw for special licenses.
At the meeting, many anglers presented stories of how they have travelled to several lakes listed as collapsed, and they are only able to catch walleye, a fish with a zero catch limit.
Makowecki said he has spoken to Athabasca-Sturgeon-Redwater MLA Colin Piquette about the matter. He also said that to him, it is pretty clear what the anglers at the meeting wanted, and organizers must sift through and interpret all the information to find the best way to move forward.
“Clearly there is plenty of support from not only the anglers but the local governments as well,” he said. “We have all parties onside and we need to go to the government with a strategy and hopefully get a response.”
People wanting to have their voice heard can contact Makowecki at [email protected] by Oct. 31. He said the plan is to document the most preferred recommendations from all responses and present them to the government in the upcoming weeks.
“A meeting is being requested with the Government of Alberta to discuss changes,” said Makowecki. “It is hoped that the people will be able to catch and keep a walleye in all these lakes by April 1, 2017 when the next Alberta Fishing Regulations are updated.”
