The province’s recreational fishing season opens today in southern Manitoba and May 21 in other areas of the province to reflect later spawning. This announcement was made by Sustainable Development Minister Cathy Cox.
“Fishing fuels tourism and local economies across the province, generating more than $200 million in direct and indirect expenditures in our economy,” said Cox. “More than 170,000 fishers travel to our many beautiful lakes and rivers each year to experience the quality fishing we have in Manitoba.”
Cox encourages anglers who might catch spawning fish that are full of eggs to handle the fish with care and release them immediately. By releasing spawning fish, anglers will help protect stocks and sustain the province’s fisheries resource now and for future generations.
All anglers need an angling licence to fish in Manitoba, except the following:
- youth under the age of 16 who have permanently resided in Manitoba for at least six months;
- any Canadian resident or non-resident youth under the age of 16 but the individual must fish with a licence holder or someone exempt from holding a licence and their catch must be applied to the limit of that person; and
- First Nations with status and Métis harvesters.
Angling licences are available at Manitoba Sustainable Development offices and numerous licence vendors throughout the province. Anglers should be familiar with Manitoba’s fishing regulations. When purchasing a licence, anglers should obtain the 2016 Manitoba Anglers’ Guide to review provincial regulations. The 2016 Manitoba Anglers Guide can also be found online at www.manitobafisheries.com.
Boaters are reminded to do their part in preventing the spread of zebra mussels and other invasive species. Before leaving any body of water, take the proper steps to:
- clean and remove any visible aquatic plants, invasive species or mud from the watercraft, trailer and all water-related equipment;
- drain all water from motor, bilge, bait buckets and any compartments;
- dry all water-related equipment and any hard-to-drain compartments that have contacted the water with a dry towel or sponge before it is used in any other body of water;
- dispose of unused bait and worms in the trash.
