(Submitted photo/Sask. Government)

By Nigel Maxwell /Josh Ryan

Recreation

Anglers encouraged to check their bait before casting a line

Jul 6, 2022 | 7:00 AM

With another free fishing weekend approaching, Saskatchewan’s Ministry of Environment is encouraging anglers to double check their tackle boxes.

The request comes after a quagga mussel was recently found in a tub of Evergreen brand emerald shiners that was purchased in Saskatchewan.

Introductions of aquatic invasive species can be disastrous to the province’s water bodies. Anglers who have purchased Evergreen brand frozen minnows are encouraged by the Ministry to make sure that they check their bait for any aquatic invasive species – prior to use.

(Facebook/ Sask. Environment)

Vendors who stock Evergreen brand frozen minnows are also being asked to ensure customers are aware of the risk of contamination and remind them to inspect their bait. If you discover invasive mussels or other aquatic invasive species in your angling bait – or in any Saskatchewan waterbody – call the Turn in Poachers and Polluters (TIPP) Line.

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(Facebook/ Sask. Environment)

Saskatchewan’s Free Fishing Weekend runs July 9th and 10th.

Saskatchewan residents and visitors are invited to visit any public water open to sport fishing, but are also being reminded fishing regulations still apply.

Murray Koob, Sports Fish Biologist with the Ministry of Environment out of Prince Albert, said it’s a long standing tradition to encourage people to try out the pastime and become more educated about fishing. Saskatchewan has been running Free Fishing Weekend since 1989, as part of National Fishing Week.

“For the casual, it’s a good opportunity for them to get out and partake in angling,” Koob said.

Angling limits and other regulations such as transporting caught fish out of province, still apply. Koob said there’s plenty of areas good for freshwater fishing, with nearly 70 species native to Saskatchewan, including 21 sport fishing species.

“The most common fish caught are walleye, which are commonly found in lakes and rivers,” he said. Northern pike are also really common and yellow perch are also frequently sought after.”

Koob noted that weather can play a large factor in the likelihood of getting a catch, depending on the area and other conditions.

“Fish populations as a whole are pretty decent in the province,” he said. “We haven’t had to adjust limits for a few years, so they seem to be holding out fairly well.”

In order to adhere to regulations and find the best locations, the anglers guide is available online, which includes details on potential closures, limits and more.

Meanwhile, getting a large crowd out this weekend could be huge for local shops selling fishing goods. Dennis Baldinus, owner of General’s Bait & Tackle in Meadow Lake, said that it’s been interesting to see attendance at lakes affected by the current economic conditions in Canada, as there were as many or more that came out to fish during the pandemic.

“There’s people determined and bound to get out and enjoy it for the first time,” he said. “But there’s a lot of people who don’t have the finances and are basically cabining up and saying we just have to pay our bills.”

Baldinus added that it’s affected some business owners, dealing with increased costs, supply chain shortages and more.

“Whether it’s manufacturing issues or pricing,” he said. “By the time we get it, it’s often gone up.”

“I’ve been around a long time, so it hasn’t affected me much, but other independent stores are taking a beating.”

— with files from battlefordsNOW

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nigel.maxwell@pattisonmedia.com

On Twitter: @nigelmaxwell