Ontario has introduced some new fishing regulations for this area that will take place at the first of next year and make some fishing seasons longer, while putting limitations on the fishing of certain fish.

The new rules hit fishing in Durham, Peterborough, Kawartha Lakes and Northumberland and include year-round fishing for northern pike, yellow perch, crappie and sunfish; a longer fall season for bass and muskie to Dec. 15, stricter limits for walleye, to protect declining populations and new sunfish limits, to maintain healthy populations. Only four walleye will be allowed between 35 and 50 centimetres in most areas. The minimum size limit for muskie has been changed to 112 centimetres. Anglers should check the 2010 Recreational Fishing Regulation Summary for complete details that won’t be available until Jan. 1.

Many of the sanctuary dates are also going to be changed.

These changes are based on the Fisheries Management Zone 17 Advisory Council’s 2010 Fishing Regulations Summary that covers all of Ontario will be available by Jan. 1 at licence issuers, Service Ontario/Government Information Centres and online.

The lakes and rivers of this area called Zone 17 are the second most fished areas in the province, exceeded only by the Great Lakes.

More than 1.3 million anglers in Ontario contribute nearly $2.5 billion to the province’s economy, a provincial news release states.