Winter anglers again have the opportunity to test their fishing skill over the winter. The 2000 winter fishery for rainbow trout opens on Saturday, January 1. Mitch Murphy, Minister of Technology and Environment notes that although the season is restricted to Glenfinnan and O'Keefe Lakes, "both have been stocked with rainbow trout and all indications are the season should be a good one." The winter fishery will end on March 26, 2000.
Fishing is allowed on any day of the week from sunrise to sunset, with the creel limit being five fish per day. Anglers may not fish more than one set line. Regulations are also in place designed to protect the environment and public safety. No shacks will be allowed on the ice and all shelter material and litter must be removed. Holes in the ice must be clearly marked with a tree branch. All pertinent angling regulations also apply to the winter fishery.
Wishing anglers a good season, Minister Murphy encourages a safe approach to the sport. "With the mild weather of late, anglers should take particular care to ensure that ice thickness is sufficient to support them. With more than 200 licenses sold annually, interest in the winter fishery is obviously growing. I wish everyone a good season and encourage anglers to follow safety procedures in and around shorelines and ice surfaces."
Licenses cost $5 and are required by all anglers over the age of sixteen. Anglers are also required to be in possession of a valid Wildlife Conservation Fund permit which costs $13. Both the licenses and the permits are available from Access PEI locations and Regional Services Centres as well as the Department of Technology and Environment, 11 Kent Street, Charlottetown. Licenses will also be available at the following locations: Buster's Service Station, Cherry Valley; Community Market, North Rustico; Island Rod and Flies, Charlottetown; Poole's Corner Irving, Roseneath; Gordie's Irving, Summerside; Davey's Grocery, Baldwins Road and MacPhee's Home Hardware, Souris.
For more information about the winter fishery, contact the Fish and Wildlife Division of the Department of Technology and Environment at 368-4683.