New Year’s Day (January 1) marked the opening of the 2019 Nova Scotia winter fishing season. Nova Scotia freshwater lakes open for winter offer opportunities for brook and rainbow trout, white and yellow perch, and chain pickerel.
The Department of Fisheries and Aquaculture (DFA) stock many lakes with trout every winter to ensure anglers have a good chance to catch a fish.
“Sportfishing is a popular outdoor activity that our province offers and generates over $58 million in revenue annually,” said Fisheries and Aquaculture Minister Keith Colwell. “Safety is very important when fishing in the winter. I want to remind anglers to dress in layers and if fishing through the ice to check the ice thickness and conditions before proceeding.”
A general fishing licence is required to winter fish and can be purchased at Department of Lands and Forestry offices. Licences purchased in 2018 are valid until March 31.
Anglers can take advantage of the annual winter sportfishing weekend Feb. 16 to Feb. 18, when residents and non-residents can fish in open winter sportfishing areas without a licence.
The Nova Scotia Anglers’ Handbook is available online at https://novascotia.ca/fish/documents/Anglers-Handbook-2018.pdf .
source: Province of Nova Scotia