Islanders are encouraged to get their fishing gear out of storage and get ready for the start of the winter fishery in Prince Edward Island. Minister of Environment and Energy Jamie Ballem announced that the 2004 winter fishery will open Saturday, January 3, and run through to March 28.
“Angling is a favourite pastime for many Islanders and the fun doesn’t have to stop when the snow flies,” said Minister Ballem. “Winter angling provides an excellent opportunity to get out with friends and family, enjoy the outdoors, and perhaps take home some trout for dinner.”
As in past years, the winter fishery is restricted to Glenfinnan Lake in Glenfinnan and O’Keefe Lake in Avondale. Both lakes have been well stocked with rainbow trout this fall: 8,000 stocked into O’Keefe and 5,500 into Glenfinnan.
Fishing is permitted seven days a week from sunrise to sunset. Anglers may not fish more than one set line and the daily catch limit is five fish. All pertinent angling regulations apply to the winter fishery and additional regulations are in place to protect the environment and public safety. No shacks are allowed on the ice and all shelter material and litter must be removed. A charge of littering while angling results in an automatic one-year suspension of a fishing licence.
Minister Ballem encouraged families looking for a unique and inexpensive winter activity to give winter fishing a try. Youngsters under age 16 do not require a licence to participate in the winter fishery. As well, anglers who have a 2003/04 trout licence are free to participate in the fishery, while those who do not already have a licence can purchase a special winter angling permit for only $5. Anglers are also required to be in possession of a valid Wildlife Conservation Fund (WCF) permit which costs $13. A WCF permit for the year 2003 is valid for the winter fishery.
Given the fluctuations in temperatures over the last several weeks, Minister Ballem reminded winter anglers to check ice conditions before heading out. Ice should be at least six inches deep to support small groups of people and 10 inches or more for snowmobiles. It’s also wise to avoid fishing alone and let people know where you are going and when you will return.
“We want people to have a safe and enjoyable fishing experience,” the Minister added.
Winter angling permits and Wildlife Conservation Fund permits are available at the Department of Environment and Energy at 11 Kent Street in Charlottetown. For more information on the winter fishery, contact the Conservation and Management Division at (902) 368-4683.