My observation is that there were Perch in large numbers as always but that overall the size of the fish were smaller. I have fished Simcoe for the last twenty plus years and that decline has been readily obvious to me and my fishing buddies. This year in the half dozen trips we made there were no fish that I would refer to as a yellow belly. In past years those were what we targeted. The goal was to bring home enough fish for a feed at the end of the day. I point that out so as not to be considered a "fish hog". Afterall if they were not meant to be consumed why do we have a fifty fish limit which has never been close to being filled.
My reason for fishing is not strictly to produce fish as much as it is for the recreational aspect of the sport. It just bothers me that in so many places the decline of fish stock overshadows the enjoyment we glean from this hobby. If a person was to list "the best fishing holes" such as Long Point Bay, Pelee Island, Moon River Basin and the list could go on we would be better off spending time in front of our televisions watching fishing shows than going to these places depending on producing fish. Just my .02 cents worth.
