Rape of a resource?

John H. (Jack) Elliott

Dear Editor:
Here once again is an example how greed and stupidity of a few is endangering an abundant resource. The attached picture taken Sunday, April 03, 2005 of boats on the Rainy River, the Canada/ U.S. Boundary near Pinewood, Ontario is an example.
Every spring the Rainy River is a staging area for mature populations of walleye/pickerel in from Lake of the Woods, to spawn on this river and its tributaries. In my opinion, this concentration of large, trophy-sized fish has in recent years attracted an increasing number of ‘sport’ fisherman who exploit this resource unmercifully. Dozens, upon dozens, upon hundreds of boats crowd 70 mile length of the Rainy River following the rapidly retreating ice downriver for a period of 1-3 weeks between break-up and spring closing of the season. They are only there for one reason- a river packed with large fish they can easily locate and target with sophisticated electronics.
How much longer are we going to allow this stupidity to continue? Recent reductions in catch limits and size limits are difficult and expensive to enforce. Are either the Ontario Ministry of Natural Resources or the Minnesota Department of Natural Resources able to enforce catch and size limits? Anecdotal observation by local shoreline observers, witnessing repeated landings by some boats along the opposite forested shore would suggest not.
In addition what about the catch and release stress placed on individual fish during this critical breeding period, as those same ‘sport’ fisherman catch and throwback dozens of fish in search of the one that’s just right or for the sheer thrill of catching lunkers by the dozen.
The Rainy River and Lake of the Woods waters in Northern Minnesota and Northwestern Ontario supports dozens upon dozens of resorts and thousands of regional paycheques. They depend almost solely on this region’s legendary fishery. I am sure only the most crass and greedy are in support of this yearly rape of our resource.
It is up to us all, the Minnesota/ Northwestern Ontario Community, to insist our bureaucrats and elected officials rectify this intolerable abuse. Pandering to a few vocal political supporters that would suck this resource dry, should be very telling of the calibre of any politician.
Several years ago we witnessed the collapse of the walleye/pickerel fishery from over-fishing on Rainy Lake, the source of the Rainy River. After years of tough-minded controls and conservation efforts, it has still not totally recovered.
On a grander scale we witnessed the total collapse of the East Coast Atlantic Fishery after being assured catches were sustainable. Worldwide, other fisheries face similar threats.
In our area, government, industry, and the general public have spent huge sums to reduce pollution, buyout and close commercial fisheries, and encourage conservation. Yet we let this rape continue, when the issue could be very simply addressed.
How?
Simple! Close the walleye/pickerel fishery to all open water fishing (fishing from boats) from Jan 1st until normal closed season commences (April 15). This would allow our vibrant ice-fishing industry to continue unhindered, protect the spawning walleye/pickerel, and help insure long term survival and enjoyment of the resource for everyone.
The only ones who might be put out are a few greedy, so-called ‘sport’ fishermen. I apologize to real sport fishermen tainted by association.

Yours truly
John H. (Jack) Elliott
Rainy River, ON