Recreational fishing enthusiasts are getting their tackle boxes stocked for the opening of the spring angling season Friday, April 15.
Announcing opening day in the Provincial Legislature today, Minister of Environment, Energy and Forestry Jamie Ballem encouraged Islanders to discover or rediscover the enjoyment that comes with a day of fishing.
“Many Islanders have fond memories of carefree days spent fishing at the local brook when they were young. As they think back on those days, I encourage Islanders to create those lifetime memories for their children and grandchildren this year,” said Minister Ballem. “Fishing is a great way to spend quality time with family, enjoying PEI’s beautiful natural environment. And it’s one of the most inexpensive family activities that you will find,” he added.
The cost of a trout angling licence remains unchanged at $10 (including GST). Youth under age 16 do not need any licence to fish, and anglers 65 years of age and older are issued a courtesy licence at no cost. Licensed anglers also require a Wildlife Conservation Fund licence. As announced last month, the cost of this licence has increased to $20 (GST included) this year to provide additional funding for fish and wildlife enhancement. However, Minister Ballem announced Friday that the increase will not apply to seniors. Money collected from the Wildlife Conservation Fund licence goes directly to community-led conservation projects ranging from stream enhancement work to youth fishing events.
Minister Ballem noted that there are several changes to angling regulations this season. The opening of the spring angling season in the Trout River, from Leard’s Pond in Coleman to below Goff’s Bridge at Route 12, has been delayed until May 1 and will close September 1. This conservation measure is being introduced on a trial basis this year at the request of the O’Leary Wildlife Federation. The federation will host a public meeting after the closure of the season to gather response from anglers, and the department will make a determination whether the measure will be continued in 2006. Anglers are also reminded that the daily catch limit on the Trout River is six, of which only one may be greater than 35 centimetres. The daily catch limit on other river systems is 10, of which only one may be great than 40 centimetres.
In other changes:
-Marchbank’s Pond and Arsenault’s Pond (also known as Millar’s Pond) on the Wilmot River will reopen to angling this year.
-The Southwest Brook, a tributary of the Dunk River, will be closed to angling in 2005 to allow trout stocks to recover following a fish kill last year.
-The season limit for the Atlantic salmon fishery has been reduced from seven to four as a conservation measure. The Atlantic salmon fishery opens June 1.
-The extended season for the salmon fishery has been removed on the Midgell, Naufrage and Valleyfield Rivers, and applies only to the Mill, Trout (Coleman), Dunk, West and Morell Rivers.
-For the extended season, September 16 to October 31, salmon angling is catch and release only with barbless hooks.
The Angling Summary 2005 has details on all the regulations. Copies of the summary, as well as licences and the 2004/2005 Wildlife Conservation Fund Report are available at Access PEI sites and from vendors across the province. The Angling Summary and Wildlife Conservation Fund Report are also available on the web site at www.gov.pe.ca/go/familyfishing and www.gov.pe.ca/go/wcf.
For further information on the spring angling season, Islanders are encouraged to speak to their local conservation officer or call the Department of Environment, Energy and Forestry at 368-4683. Those planning to take part in opening day are reminded that some ponds may still have ice cover. Please exercise caution when fishing and respect the regulations which are in place to protect the future of the sport fishery and the environment.