As first reported in the Dunnville Chronicle May
23rd, Ministry of Natural Resources (MNR) & Grand River Authority
(GRC) continue its research on Walleye in the Grand River. A research
boat donated by local conservation fishing clubs and Riverside Marine
operated with local volunteers (qualified) from the Dunnville GRC &
MNR office continues to yield information on walleye spawning beds and
surrounding water quality. Lori Richardson and Keri Killins (MNR &
GRC) complete weekly research obtaining water samples while tracking 45
walleye fitted with electronic transmitters. While the majority of
tagged walleye have migrated out to Lake Erie there are still fish in
the river. A typical day monitoring on the river will take five hours
recording fish locations and ambient water quality. Results are entered
into a data bank for future examination of walleye migration predictions
along the Grand River. This Partners in Conservation
research boat can be seen along the Grand River between Port Maitland
and Caledonia Dam. The hunter green boat is a LOWE 17' John boat,
powered by a Johnson 50hp outboard motor. Outfitted with the necessary
safety equipment and trailer were also supplied by Riverside Marina.
The Partners in Conservation are:
· Ontario Federation of Anglers and Hunters (OFAH) (75th
anniversary)
· Dunnville District Hunters and Anglers
Conservation Club
· Port Colborne Conservation
Club
· Fort Erie Conservation Club
· DOFASCO
Fishing Club (50th anniversary)
· Grand River Conservation
Authority Foundation (GRCAF)
· Ministry of
Natural Resources - Lake Erie Management Unit and Niagara Area
Office
Some issues in rehabilitation are well
understood. Improving water quality by establishing buffer strips along
watercourses, fencing cattle out of streams, and preventing manure
runoff. These agricultural "best management practices" are being
implemented in 2003 under the GRCA rural water quality program and
Stewardship councils.
Buffer strips prescribed by the Nutrient
Management Act will lead to improved water quality and habitat. Lori and
Keri will try to locate the habitats that support walleye and other
cool-water species like sturgeon, as the Grand River temperatures rise.
They have had a busy summer, by monitoring environmental conditions and
tracking the 45 fish with tel-metering transmitters attached.
Anglers please remember if you catch one of
these walleye, release it for further studies. Can adult walleye survive
and grow in the southern Grand? This is a key question that will help us
to develop targets for rehabilitation. The program to investigate this
will be helped immensely by the actions of the local Conservation Clubs
who undertook to fundraise and buy a boat for this purpose. It can only
help improve future fishing along the Grand River.
