Minister of Environment Chester Gillan has announced the 2003 spring angling season will open Tuesday, April 15.
Minister Gillan noted this marks a return to the traditional opening day. The last two years the opening was changed to the nearest Saturday as part of ongoing efforts to encourage youth to participate in the sport fishery.
"As promised last year, we consulted with Islanders over the winter to decide the best approach to take in determining the opening date. Recognizing that the April 15 opening is important to long-time anglers, we decided to go with tradition," said Minister Gillan. "At the same time, we will look for other opportunities to encourage a new generation of sport fishers to carry on this favourite Island pastime."
Like other provinces, Prince Edward Island witnessed a steady decline in the number of recreational fishers in recent years. However, that trend was reversed last year with sales of trout licences up by eight per cent and salmon licences by almost 18 per cent. Building on that success, Minister Gillan said the department, in cooperation with community groups, will continue to promote fishing as a fun and inexpensive family activity.
"We will once again sponsor the Take Your Family Fishing event the long weekend in May when anyone can try their hand at fishing without purchasing a licence. There will also be numerous children's fishing derbies that weekend. And, parents are reminded that children under the age of 16 do not need a licence to fish at any time," the minister said.
Angling licences and the 2003 Angling Summary are now available at Access PEI sites and from vendors across the province. All anglers 16 years of age and older must be in possession of an angling licence, as well as a valid Wildlife Conservation Fund permit.
Through the Wildlife Conservation Fund, anglers contribute directly to the maintenance and enhancement of the wildlife resources from which they derive so much enjoyment. A portion of the funds goes to support the Cardigan Fish Hatchery and its production of trout and salmon in support of public fisheries. As well, in 2002-2003, close to $70,000 funding support went to 51 community-led conservation projects including 38 projects directed at enhancing stream conditions for fish.
With the approach of opening day, Minister Gillan reminds anglers to respect the regulations in place to protect the future of the sport fishery and the environment; and to exercise caution when fishing, particularly in the early days of the season when there is often still ice on the water.
Anglers should note that Marchbank's Pond and Arsenault's Pond (also known as Millar's Pond) on the Wilmot River are closed to angling this year to allow stocks to recover from the fish kills in the river last summer. As well, new regulations for the Trout River, West Prince, see the section from Leard's Pond (Route 140) to Carleton (Route 2) open from May 1 to September 1 only, and the section from Carleton to 200 metres downstream of Goff's Bridge (Route 12) open from April 15 to September 1. The daily limit for both sections of river is six trout, of which not more than one can be greater than 35 centimetres.
Information on all relevant regulations, as well as fishing ethics and safety tips can be found in the Angling Summary. If anglers have any questions, they are encouraged to speak to their local conservation officer or contact the Department of Fisheries, Aquaculture and Environment, Fish and Wildlife Division, at 368-4683.