Sport Fishing Season to Open April 1

Nova Scotia anglers will have a variety of sport fishing opportunities available to them when the 2002 season opens on April 1 this year. Ernest Fage, Minister of Agriculture and Fisheries, announced the season's opening date today, March 28.

"Anglers will find that the 2002 regulations provide new fishing opportunities and conservation measures and that licence fees remain unchanged," said Mr. Fage. "We continue to develop these regulations with anglers to ensure they can enjoy sportfishing for years to come."

April 15 is the delayed opening date to protect Atlantic salmon and trout stocks in the tidal water portions of recreational fishing areas 1 and 2 and parts of 3 and 6, with the exception of the Bras d'Or Lakes.

Several new regulations are in place for trout anglers in the province. The LaHave River, from Silver Hill Brook upstream to the South End of Wentzells Lake, will open earlier this year, on April 1 rather than the traditional delayed opening date of May 10. The early opening for this system is possible because of a government trout-enhancement project carried out in co-operation with the LaHave Salmon Association. Staff will monitor and assess the impact of the earlier season.

The bag limit across the province remains at five trout, five bass, and two landlocked salmon each day, except in special management areas for trout and bass. For conservation purposes, all brook trout caught in September must be released. The exception to this is in the Cape Breton Highlands trout management area, where brook trout may be retained for the entire season.

New regulations are in place on the Margaree River. While the bag limit remains at five trout, only one may be longer than 35- centimetres.

Regulations are also in place to protect smallmouth bass during spawning season. No bass may be retained in the period from April 20 until June 9. The exception is in high-harvest bass lakes.

For the eighth year, licence fees remain the same. A general licence costs $17.25 for Nova Scotians and $46 for non-residents. The reduced fee for seniors' fishing licences is still $5.75. Salmon licences are also available. Licences can be purchased at over 650 vendors throughout the province.

Licences are valid from the date of issue until March 31, 2003. Anglers should return licences after their final fishing trip of the regular season. Anglers who plan to fish during the winter should return their stub at the end of the winter season.

Regulations for size limits and type of fishing gear used have been outlined in the 2002 regulations. The no-bait restriction for all trout species during September will continue to be in place this year, supporting the catch-and-release regulation for brook trout.

Mr. Fage announced that increased sport fishing opportunities for rainbow trout will continue on South and West rivers, Antigonish Co.; St. Francis Harbour River, Guysborough Co.; and Middle and Baddeck rivers, Victoria Co. On these rivers, the season for rainbow trout is extended until the end of October, when only fly fishing is allowed.

Once again anglers will have night-fishing opportunities on several lakes and rivers in Nova Scotia.

"It is important that anglers become familiar with the details of the regulations in their recreational fishing area," said Mr. Fage. "Each licence sold comes with a 2002 Summary of Regulations with all the information they need to fish within the law."

These changes have been developed through the department's Recreational Fisheries Advisory Councils and in co-operation with the Department of Fisheries and Oceans.

The Nova Scotia Sport Fishing Weekend will be held on June 1 and 2 this year. Residents can fish without a general fishing licence on this weekend.

The minister also urges anglers to have a safe and enjoyable sport fishing season. More than 100,000 Nova Scotians enjoy sport fishing, and the fishery contributes $85 million to the provincial economy.