The Bass Pro Shops Lake Simcoe Open has not only become Canada's premier one-day bassfishing tournament, it also provides the opportunity to conduct significant bass-related fisheries research in an effort to sustain and improve the already world-class fishery of Lake Simcoe. The Ontario Ministry of Natural Resources, coupled with Queen's University and countless volunteers work tirelessly at the event to ensure safe and healthy handling and the subsequent release of all fish, as well as documenting critical aging and other related data for scientific research.
Aurora Bassmasters Bass Tagging Research Highlights:
Project implemented in conjunction with the Ontario Ministry of Natural Resources (MNR) Community Fisheries and Wildlife Improvement Program (CFWIP)
One of key goals of the study is to better understand movements/migration of bass throughout Lake Simcoe
Over 300 Lake Simcoe bass have been tagged by Aurora Bassmasters volunteers in 2006 & 2007
To date, 17 tag recaptures reported by anglers in 2006 & 2007
To date, the furthest traveled tagged recapture was from adjoining Lake Couchiching – 26 Miles north of the documented release area!
Nine recaptures were previously documented “fizzed” bass that were in objectively great shape upon recapture
Two of the recaptures were largemouth; the difference smallmouth
A controlled sample of “fizzed” bass, under permit from 2006 & 2007, can be found at Bass Pro Shops aquarium in Vaughan, ON and are part of an ongoing research study by Dr. Bruce Tufts of Queen’s University
Varied results by ageing specialist, Bob Irwin, show Lake Simcoe bass are fast-growing; age class ranges from 2–14 for fish between 1-7+ pounds
Anglers are asked to report all tagged bass to the documented phone number on each individual tag; providing MNR the respective tag number, date & location, size and whether or not it had been subsequently released. All anglers are urged to do their part to aid in the development of this project by releasing all tagged recaptures
Project implemented in conjunction with the Ontario Ministry of Natural Resources (MNR) Community Fisheries and Wildlife Improvement Program (CFWIP) 