Free Sportfishing Weekend Feb. 18-19

NOTE: A list of waterways open for winter sportfishing and restrictions follows this release.

Anglers can fish lakes and rivers from Yarmouth to Cape Breton without a licence during winter sportfishing weekend, Feb. 18-19.

Residents and non-residents can fish for rainbow trout, speckled trout, brown trout, white perch, yellow perch and chain pickerel in specified lakes and rivers throughout the province. All bag limits and other regulations apply.

"Sportfishing weekend is a wonderful opportunity for Nova Scotians of all ages and skill levels to enjoy this popular outdoor sport," said Sterling Belliveau, Minister of Fisheries and Aquaculture. "Winter sportfishing is a great way to enjoy our lakes and rivers, and promotes healthy, outdoor living and family togetherness. I encourage Nova Scotians who may be curious about the sport to take advantage of this licence-free weekend."

Mr. Belliveau urged all anglers to put safety first when fishing in the winter months.

"Beginners and seasoned anglers alike can enjoy a great and unique outdoor experience, but I would like to encourage all anglers to use caution this season and enjoy the outdoors safely," said Mr. Belliveau.

In collaboration with Hants Wildlife Association, Pictou County Rivers Association and the Antigonish Rivers Association, family and youth sportfishing events will take place Saturday, Feb. 18 at: Meadon Pond, Hants Co.; Gairloch Lake, Pictou Co.; and Gillis Lake, Antigonish Co.

Winter sportfishing season opened Jan. 1 and closes March 31.

For more information, visit www.gov.ns.ca/fish/sportfishing/angling/winterangling.shtml .

The following is a list of waterways open and restrictions for winter sportfishing for fishing Jan. 1 to March 31 unless otherwise noted:

NOTE: Five areas of the Bras d'Or Lakes are closed to all angling to protect brook trout and Atlantic salmon. They include the areas above the Baddeck River Bridge on Highway 105 (including Cains Pond), inside the East Bay sandbar, above Crowdis Bridge in River Denys Basin, above Black River Bridge in Dundee and above MacKenzie Brook bridge near the south side of River Denys.

Brook trout: bag limit of two trout
-- Hants County: Meadow Pond and St. Croix Pond

Brook trout: bag limit of 10 trout, only two of which may be greater than 25.4 c.m. (10 inches) in length
-- Victoria County: Cape Breton Highlands Special Trout Management Area

Brown trout: bag limit of two trout
-- Cape Breton: tidal waters of the Bras d'Or Lakes

Rainbow trout: bag limit two fish per day
-- Antigonish County: Cameron Lake and Gillis Lake
-- Cape Breton: Bras d'Or Lakes (see note), Levers Lake and No. 20 Dam
-- Cumberland County: Angevine Lake
-- Digby County: Everitts Lake
-- Guysborough County: Goose Harbour Lake
-- Halifax Regional Municipality: Albro Lake, Round Lake, Lewis Lake, Maynard Lake and Penhorn Lake
-- Hants County: Meadow Pond
-- Kings County: Silver Lake and Sunken Lakes
-- Lunenburg County: Sucker Lake
-- Pictou County: Gairloch Lake
-- Queens County: Hidden Hills Lake
-- Richmond County: Eco Trail Pond on Isle Madame

Chain pickerel: bag limit of 25 fish per day
-- Colchester County: Shortts Lake
-- Digby County: Meteghan River, including all lakes and tributaries
-- Halifax Regional Municipality: Morris Lake, Russell Lake, Fish Lake, Bissett Lake and Kinsac Lake
-- Hants County: Lily Lake (Cogamun Pond)
-- Kings County: Lake George and Lake Paul
-- Pictou County: Black Lake and West Branch Lake
-- Queens County: Louis Lake
-- Shelburne County: Walls Lake, Lake George, The Ponds in Port LaTour and Bakers Flats on Cape Sable Island
-- Yarmouth County: Annis River and Kiack Brook (near Belleville South), including all lakes and tributaries

White and yellow perch: bag limit of 25 fish per day per species
-- Annapolis County: Springfield Lake
-- Antigonish County: Cameron Lake and Gillis Lake
-- Colchester County: Shortts Lake
-- Cumberland County: Angevine (Dewars Lake)
-- Halifax Regional Municipality: Albro Lake, Bissett Lake, Fish Lake, Lewis Lake and Maynard Lake
-- Hants County: Woodward Sanford Lake and Lily Lake(Cogmagan Pond)
-- Kings County: Lake George and Lake Paul
-- Shelburne County: Lake George
-- Digby County: Meteghan River, including all lakes and tributaries