Here you'll learn about the gill net fishing still going on in Lake Erie, how this sad activity is 'justified', and how you can help stop the over exploitation of our re-newable natural resources. 

You'll learn about where your 'stocked' fish are going - and yes - it'll make you mad - spittin' mad! Please bookmark and return later - we need your help!
But right now, enjoy!

This overview is necessary because we must define boundaries here, so that we know that we are talking about ALL forms of netting on Lake Erie, which make up what is known as the 'COMMERCIAL FISHERY' OR COMMERCIAL FISHING'. This also applies to trawl, hoop and trap netting proceedures as well. 

Of course, this section doesn't apply to the use of a landing  net used by a sportfisher-person while landing a fish caught by conventional hook and line. 

Sports fishing, by use of hook(s) and line, is regarded as an 'inefficient' method of fishing, when it comes to the taking of fish. Yet we do our best to 'master' this inexact science. 

None-the-less, we have to be aware of fish populations, and practice conservation techniques, establish, and respect these governing laws, to achieve the 'sustainability' of those resources - there are lots of us (millions) sport anglers whom participate in this consumptive participation of these re-newable natural resources. 

Commercial netting/fishing, on the other hand, is quite efficient at harvesting fish stocks - and can and does quickly take fish - en-mass, but not to the betterment (to say nothing of the enjoyment) of millions, but rather, as financial gain for a few hundred, possibly thousand, of those folks associated with this commercial fishery. 

Most people today would not wish to see, or allow the market gunning for waterfowl, as it occurred here in North America, just before the turn of the century. Today, at the turn of the next century, surly, we as conservationists must view commercial fishing by means of netting, in the same light/view as the market gunning for waterfowl of the past.

Indeed, we must view our fish stocks as re-newable natural resources; as a valuable commodity, and wish to see them shared, with the most amount of good, and gain, for the most amount of people, and, at the same time, allow the resource to be 'sustainable'. 

For the most part, fishing with nets is relatively 'non-selective' in the harvest, taking any hapless fish which swims into the nets; and release is impossible as the fish thus caught, will be dead. 

Bureaucrats will argue, in favor of the commercial fishers, that by net placement, and size of mesh, that non target species catches can BE KEPT TO A MINIMUM! As you'll see, throughout this, and other sections here, under 'gill netting', this is simply a 'bunch of bunk' - misinformation slanted in favor of the commercial fishery, perpetrated by governments, and the commercial fishing industry. 

The fact is, that many AMERICAN STOCKED fish are swimming over into Canadian waters on the Ontario side of the lake, and being caught in commercial nets. We as sports anglers catch a few of these fish also, but bearing in mind that sport fishing being inefficient, is scant, when compared to the harvest being taken by commercial fisher-folk. (also see 'Situation Today' section - from the index section (in blue) at the left of this page). MANY OF THESE AMERICAN STOCKED FISH TAKEN IN  COMMERCIAL NETS - ARE THROWN AWAY - THIS IS A SLAP IN THE FACE OF ANYONE WHO CARES ABOUT THE LAKE ERIE FISHERY! 

But of course, not all the fish taken by commercial fishery, as in the case of the walleye of appropriate size, are thrown away - they're taken and sold! 

All of the trout, and most of the salmon taken by the commercial fisher people are discarded. Too, it's worth mentioning here, that commercial fishers don't want large walleye, such as those that we anglers cherish. Many of the walleye over 18 inches long are also discarded, favoring the walleye that are from a foot long, to 14 inches in length. 

For the most part, commercial fishing by use of nets, has been discontinued in American waters of Lake Erie, and fishing success of sportfisher-folk has increased. 
Both the US and Canada share the waters and resources of the Great Lakes, including Lake Erie, and set quotas so that people in both countries can each take of the fish stocks of given species - such as walleye, perch etc. 

Despite the fact that the US has gotten rid of it's commercial fishery, sportfisher-folk annually harvest the agreed on quota for the US. American people are great fishermen & women, and many 'person' hours are spent upon this quest! 

American anglers - and States, contribute millions each year towards conservation, and stocking programs of various fish, contributing to the general fishery of Lake Erie. 
The sport fishery, including all the associated spin-off industries, contributes BILLIONS of dollars for the US economy, stimulating jobs - jobs - jobs!

The American people, including their politicians, are proud of their 'sport fishing industry' and rightfully so; and they make data and facts easily available to the public, in support of these unrefutable facts. 

In Ontario, facts are not easily obtained, to the extent that it is easily seen, and obvious, that to a government which favors commercial fishing, that it is better NOT to let the public know and see the whole picture. This is incredibly SELF SERVING, as much of the politics involved is based on money, favors and concessions that the commercial fishery contribute to 'friendly' politicians and parties.( It'll make you mad {angry}, and even turn you sick, but be sure to check-out the POLITICS section of this gill netting section) 

SELF SERVING too, is that the government has allowed, and is allowing commercial fishing to occur to such an extent, that many average sports fisher-folk don't go fishing in Lake Erie as often, as the fish stocks are depleted to the extent that  the 'pro' sports fishermen, including outfitters/guides are even becoming 'hard-pressed' to produce viable catches for their clients. This fact is self serving because if people aren't able to participate in the resource, they become complacent, apathetic, and generally uninterested in the resource - allowing the commercial fishermen to continue to ply their trade with little interest shown by less and less sport fishers. 

As well, many people don't really know what goes on out on Lake Erie, when it comes to commercial fishing. Those people whom are out on the lake each day, such as ardent sports fisher persons, including guides and outfitters do, and are appalled by the circumstances. These people, even if they voice their opinion, are defeated by the huge tangled bureaucratic process of government and other agencies which are viewed by many, to be spokes-persons for the sport anglers. 

It appears that one of these larger agencies, may in fact, be 'in bed' with the politicians and their quests, as concessions are often made, and the ultimate coating of lubricant applied to the shaft that the sports anglers often take - where the SUN DON'T SHINE! 

AND THERE'S MORE - cormorants and other birds are being caught in nets. Some local duck shooters told me of red head and canvasback ducks that they shot this past fall - having pieces of gill net around their necks - and these were some that got away - how many didn't? 

But we CAN do something - you and I. Firstly, PARTICIPATE - read-on, the other sections found here - the actual meat of the situation, so you become informed of the whole picture. Too, tell your friends about this web site, encourage them to come here and also arm themselves with the education needed to ultimately eliminate commercial netting form Lake Erie. 

My personal needs are simple, to be able to make a living, and afford this web site, I need you to visit my product section of this web site, and make purchases of items that will enhance your 'sports activities' anyway.

As well, if you would like to advertise here, on this web site, contact us, your patronage will be appreciated