A new season
The 2017 general sport fishing season opens in most areas of Nova Scotia next Saturday, April 1. Although we’ve had a pretty good winter the weather this week reminded us we aren’t out of the woods yet. Most lakes and rivers I’ve seen are either open, or have some open water along the shore.
Regardless of the weather, and fishing conditions, many Pictou County anglers will be going fishing regardless of the conditions. It takes more than ice, rain or snow to keep them from their sport.
Early season fishing places special demands on the angler – not only is the weather unpredictable, but conditions on the water can vary greatly from year to year.
A check of the 2017 regulations booklet which accompanies your licence will show there are only a few changes for this season that Pictou County anglers should be aware of. This year there are new regulations in place for the West River where the bag limit has been reduced to three trout, of which only one may be greater than 35cm(13.8 in) in length. There is also a season change for sections of the East River. The first area included in this regulation change begins at a line drawn from Dunbar Point to Pine Point, including Big Gut, upstream to the Springville Bridge. In this area the season will be from May 15 to Aug 31. From Springville Bridge on the East Branch to and including Hunters Lake, and from the confluence of the West Branch to the outflow of West Branch Lake the season is April 1 to Aug 31. From September 1 to 30 in both these areas brook trout must be released and natural bait is prohibited. Only brown, or rainbow trout, may be retained with existing bag and size limits.
I know many local anglers also fish in Antigonish County and they should be aware of a new regulation now in place where the South River enters Antigonish Harbour. In this area the bag limit has been reduced to three trout, of which only one may be longer than 35cm.
I have seen the benefits a special trout management area had on West River Antigonish and I believe it will have the same effect on both West River in Pictou and Antigonish Harbour. This year anglers can take advantage of a free fishing weekend on June 3 and 4. A second free weekend will be held next winter from Feb. 17 to 19, 2018.
Other than that the regulations are the same as they were last year. Most lakes and rivers open on April 1 but a few lakes and rivers are delayed until April 15 while the West River and East River remain closed until May 15. Once again this season anglers will be permitted to fish River John at night in the period from April 15 to Aug. 31.
Anglers should check their regulations booklet which accompanies their 2017 sport fishing licence before they head out to the water.
As always, safety should be your first priority. Wear a floatation device when in a boat or wading in high and fast water. I hope you have a safe and enjoyable fishing season this year.