Kevin MacAdam, Minister of Fisheries and Environment reminds all anglers that the 1997 angling season opens Tuesday, April 15. Angling licenses and summaries are now available at the usual locations.
"We all have a role to play to ensure the future of our sport fisheries by not littering, being conscious of open fires, showing respect for fellow anglers and conservation staff and respecting private property and landowners," noted Mr. MacAdam.
Measures designed to conserve and enhance fish stocks include regulations such as a prohibition on the practice of chumming, the use of fish eggs as bait, a daily limit of 10 trout of which not more than one may be greater than 40 centimeters and the use of barbless hooks for salmon angling after the close of the trout season. Mr. MacAdam encouraged anglers to respect the regulations and report those that don't.
This spring has been particularly late for ponds and rivers to open, noted Mr. MacAdam. Anglers are advised to practice caution and respect for iced in areas and ensure they wear appropriate clothing and a life preserver if fishing from a boat.
Mr. MacAdam concluded by noting that the angling summary provides useful information and that if clarification on any point is required, anglers are encouraged to contact the Fish and Wildlife Division or a conservation officer.