%"*-: &7&/54

5PEBZ

●̓"VDUJPO

1 p.m.

● )VOUFST #SFBLGBTU o Springville Presbyterian Church Hall, 6:30-10 a.m.

●̓ $ISJTUNBT 5FB $SBGU 4BMF o Hosted by RJ’s Ladies Group in St. George’s Presbyterian Church Hall, River John, from 11:30 a.m.-2 p.m. Lunch served at noon. Sandwiches, sweets, tea/coffee. Admission free. Lunch $5. Info (902) 351-3265.

● $ISJTUNBT #JOHP o 2 p.m. Join our T o Trenton Legion at

%FDFNCFS

● 'SFF $PNNVOJUZ %JOOFS o Westville Salvation Army 11 a.m.-1 p.m.

● -FHJPO .FFUJOH o For Stellarton Royal Canadian Legion at 7:30 p.m. This will be installation night for new executive.

● .VTJD $JSDMF +BN o 7-10 p.m. at West Branch Community Hall. Admission for players is free, listeners free will, $2.50 suggested. Light refreshments. Proceeds to West Branch Community Hall.

We have enjoyed a great fall and, while it doesn’t look like it now, there is no doubt winter will arrive at some point. Most people don’t look forward to snow, ice and cold temperatures but a great way to embrace winter, in my opinion, is to take advantage of winter sport fishing opportunities available to us.

Ice fishing has always been a popular activity in Pictou County as anglers extend their fishing season for smelt as well as trout, chain pickerel and white and yellow perch in a few areas. Local anglers have a variety of trout fishing opportunity available to them with both Dryden Lake and Gairloch Lake open for trout, as are Cameron and Gillis Lakes in Antigonish County.

Anglers may also fish Black Lake and West Branch Lake for chain pickerel as well as white and yellow perch. The winter season runs from Jan. 1 until March 31 and your 2017 fishing licence is valid until the end of March. No licence is required to fish for smelt in tidal waters.

During the winter season the bag limit for trout is a total of two fish per day while the bag limit for white and yellow perch, as well as chain pickerel, is 25 fish per day.

The daily bag limit for smelt is 60 fish by angling. To check on winter sport fishing opportunities throughout Nova Scotia see pages 48 and 49 of your 2017 summary of sport fishing regulations.

Ice fishing is one of the easiest fishing methods and a great way to introduce new anglers to the sport. An axe or auger to make a hole in the ice, a simple rod and some warm clothes will get you started. The most important consideration when ice fishing is safety and that starts with carefully checking the ice before you venture out on it. This year we are enjoying very mild weather so it may take some time for ice to be safe where you fish.

The Red Cross recommends a minimum of 15cm or six inches of good ice for one person standing or walking and anglers should always check ice thickness before going out on it. Factors such as running water or springs can weaken ice and anglers should be on the lookout for grey or dark areas on the ice that may signal a soft spot. Ice that is hard and blue is usually safe.

If you are fishing an unfamiliar lake be very cautious of springs, or the outlets of brooks where the ice is often thinner. Changes in the weather, such as a mild spell, can have significant effects on ice thickness. It is also important to make sure you tell someone where you plan on fishing and when you plan to return.

Winter sport fishing regulations in Nova Scotia allow anglers to fish with hook and line during the open season. If the weather is mild, and the lakes aren’t frozen, anglers may fish from shore or a boat.

This winter anglers in Nova Scotia can take advantage of the winter sport fishing weekend on Feb. 17, 18 and 19. On this long weekend residents, and nonresidents, may fish inland waters, which are open for winter seasons without a general fishing licence. If you plan on taking advantage of winter sport fishing seasons hang on to your licence stub until the end of March. If your fishing is done for the year then fill out your catch information for 2017 and send it in now.