2005 Winter Sportfishing Season Opens

Nova Scotia anglers will have a variety of winter sportfishing opportunities in January 2005, including new seasons for rainbow trout and chain pickerel. The announcement was made today, Dec.22, by Chris d'Entremont, Minister of Agriculture and Fisheries.

"Nova Scotia's winter sportfishing is becoming very popular and, this winter, anglers will have more places to fish," said Mr. d'Entremont.

Anglers require a 2004 general fishing licence to participate in the winter sportfishery for chain pickerel, white and yellow perch and rainbow trout. A 2004 fishing licence is valid until March 31, 2005. People who did not purchase a 2004 fishing licence but wish to participate in the winter fishery, can purchase one at offices of the Nova Scotia Department of Natural Resources.

"We are thrilled to be able to provide various winter sportfishing opportunities in Nova Scotia," said Mr. d'Entremont. "By opening selected lakes and streams anglers will have an opportunity to enjoy their sport by fishing for chain pickerel, white and yellow perch and stocked rainbow trout."

Two new lakes will open for rainbow trout angling this winter. Angevine (Dewars) Lake in Cumberland County will be open from Jan. 1 until March 31 with a bag limit of two rainbow per day while anglers in Kings County will be able to fish at Sunken Lake for rainbow trout. The season at Sunken Lake will be from Jan. 1 to Feb. 28, with a bag limit of two rainbow trout per day.

The Bras d'Or Lakes are open for winter angling of rainbow trout from Jan. 1 to March 31. The bag limit is two fish per day. Five areas of the Bras d'Or Lakes are closed to all angling to protect brook trout and Atlantic salmon. They are: above the Baddeck River Bridge on Highway 105(including Cains Pond), inside the East Bay sandbar, above Crowdis Bridge and above MacKenzie Brook bridge in River Denys Basin and above Black River Bridge in Dundee.

Several other lakes will reopen this winter for rainbow trout fishing: Cameron and Gillis lakes, Antigonish Co.; Albro Lake, Halifax Co.; Gairloch Lake, Pictou Co.; Goose Harbour Lake, Guysborough Co.; Sucker Lake, Lunenburg Co.; Levers Lake and No. 20 Dam, Cape Breton Co. and Hidden Hills Lake, Queens Co. The seasons on these lakes run from Jan. 1 to March 31. Bag limit is two fish per day. Silver Lake, Kings Co. and Meadow Pond, Hants Co. will also be open for rainbow trout this winter. The season on these lakes runs from Jan. 1 to Feb. 28. The bag limit is two fish per day.

Chain pickerel anglers will be able to enjoy fishing opportunities in numerous lakes throughout the province this season with the opening of Kinsac Lake, Halifax Co. In Digby County, the Meteghan River, including all lakes and tributaries, is open. Also open are the Annis River and Kiack Brook (near Belleville South) in Yarmouth Co., including all lakes and tributaries. Other lakes open for chain pickerel include: Louis Lake, Queens Co.; Walls Lake, The Ponds in Port LaTour and Bakers Flats on Cape Sable Island, Shelburne Co. In Halifax County, Fish, Morris and Round lakes will also be open for this species. Lily Lake (Cogamun Pond), Hants Co.; Shortts Lake, Colchester Co. and both Black Lake and West Branch Lake in Pictou Co. will also reopen this winter. All pickerel lakes are open from Jan. 1 to March 31. The bag limit for chain pickerel is 25 fish. Angling for white and yellow perch will be permitted from Jan. 1 to March 31 on Angevine (Dewars Lake), Cumberland Co.; Cameron and Gillis lakes, Antigonish Co.; Meteghan River, Yarmouth Co.; Albro Lake, Halifax Co.; Shortts Lake, Colchester Co. and Woodward Sanford Lake, Hants Co.; Springfield Lake in Annapolis County will also be open this winter for white and yellow perch. The bag limits for each of these species is 25 fish.

The minister reminds anglers to use caution during the winter fishery whether they are fishing from shore, in boats or on the ice.

"Safety should be foremost on everyone's mind when they head out. With proper care, the winter sportfishing is a tremendous opportunity to get outside and enjoy our beautiful province. It provides a winter recreation that families and friends can participate in together," said Mr. d'Entremont.

A recent national sportfishing survey showed that Nova Scotia leads the country in winter fishing activity. Nova Scotia anglers spend an average of 9.55 days sportfishing every winter, the highest number of days in Canada. For more information on the lakes and season openings, contact the Department of Agriculture and Fisheries or see the website at www.gov.ns.ca/nsaf/sportfishing or call the department at 902- 485-5056.