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Nipissing First Nation is calling for the closure of the recreational winter walleye fishery for the 2016-17 ice fishing season.

Chief Scott McLeod and NFN Council say the temporary measure would address stressed walleye stocks.

The call comes as Nipissing First Nation closed it’s commercial fishery for the season on August 31st to remain within the recommended safe harvest level.

They’ve also imposed a spring moratorium for 12 years now.

“Given the state of the fishery and our efforts to do our part to conserve walleye in Lake Nipissing, we are calling on everyone to make a short term sacrifice for the long term good of the lake,” said Chief Scott McLeod. “This doesn’t mean people can’t fish, but we are asking them to focus on other species, especially those that have healthy, abundant populations like yellow perch.”

He points out only 3% of the walleye in the lake are larger than the 46cm slot size, meaning the majority of the walleye caught by recreational fishermen must be released. “Given that fish caught and released in the winter have a mortality rate of 20% (or 1 in 5), this is troubling. There is no doubt that the winter fishery is harming adolescent fish and negatively impacting the recovery of the walleye population.” Said Chief McLeod.

“NFN’s walleye fishery is closely monitored to ensure the sustainability of the lake’s resources. There are many stresses affecting the health of the lake, including climate change, pollution and invasive species, and we can no longer ignore the strain that the winter fishery puts on the recovery of the walleye population,” said Chief McLeod.

NFN views closing the recreational winter walleye fishery not only as a sound measure based on science and data, but also as a gesture towards reconciliation. “Every effort was made to disconnect us from our identity, from taking our kids and putting them in residential school to harassing us when our grandmothers and grandfathers tried to feed their families. But we are still here and if the Ontario government is sincere in moving towards reconciliation, they will work with us and close the walleye fishery for the winter,” said Chief McLeod.