Island families wondering if angling is an activity their children would enjoy are encouraged to take advantage of the chance to fish for free during the upcoming long weekend.
Speaking in the Provincial Legislature Thursday, Minister of Environment and Energy Jamie Ballem said the Victoria Day weekend is designated Take Your Family Fishing Weekend in Prince Edward Island. No licences will be required to drop a fishing line in the many streams and ponds throughout the province from Friday, May 21, to Monday evening, May 24.
“Fishing has always been a favourite pastime for Island families. But, today, many people have lost that tradition and aren’t sure how to recapture it. This family fishing weekend provides the perfect opportunity to do that with no licences required and several special events planned throughout the province,” said Minister Ballem.
The Department of Environment and Energy is partnering with community groups across Prince Edward Island to host youth fishing events the holiday weekend. On Saturday, May 22:
• Montague Watershed Enhancement Co-op will host an event at Montague Fire Pond, 8 a.m. - 3 p.m.;
• Morell River Management Co-op invites people to Mooney’s Pond in Peakes, 8 a.m. -12 noon;
• the Community of Mount Stewart will have an event at Doyle’s Pond in Mount Stewart, 9 a.m. - 1 p.m.;
• Central Queens Wildlife Federation is hosting an event at Pondside Park in Stratford, 8 a.m. - 1 p.m.;
• Queens Arms Conservation and Beautification Committee invites people to Charlottetown Rural Pond on Hermitage Creek, 9 a.m. - 2 p.m.;
• Hyde Creek Environmental Committee is organizing an event at Hyde Pond in Cornwall, 9 a.m. - 12 noon; and
• Prince County Fly Fishers will be hosting an event at Scales Pond in South Freetown, 8 a.m - 12 noon.
And on Sunday, May 23:
• Souris Wildlife Federation invites people to the Souris Wildlife Federation Pond in Rollo Bay (formerly Rollo Bay U-Fish), 2 - 6 p.m.
“Several ponds will be stocked with trout, and community volunteers will be on hand to help bait hooks and offer pointers, so it promises to be lots of fun,” said Minister Ballem.
Fishing at all sites is open to youth ages 15 and under, and parents are welcome to come along to pick up some tips for their next family fishing outing. All events include a free barbecue.
Minister Ballem thanked the community groups for their efforts in hosting events as part of Take Your Family Fishing Weekend. He also recognized the Atlantic Salmon Federation which has partnered with the province this year to promote family fishing, and, in particular, catch and release fishing.
“Together, we hope to encourage more families to make fishing part of their summer plans,” said Minister Ballem. “Angling is not only a fun and inexpensive family activity, it is a great way to foster a greater appreciation of our environment and the need to protect it.”
While licences are not required during the Take Your Family Fishing Weekend, anglers are reminded that they must observe all regulations including catch limits. The regulations are in place to protect the future of the sport fishery and the environment. Anyone planning to go fishing the holiday weekend is encouraged to pick up a copy of the Angling Summary 2004. Copies are available at Access PEI sites and from vendors across the province, and it is online at www.gov.pe.ca/enveng.
If first-time anglers are looking for direction, the Department of Environment and Energy can provide tips to get started including maps of fishing locations across the province. For further information, call (902) 368-4683.