A new season
The 2018 general sport fishing season opens in most areas of Nova Scotia tomorrow, April 1. Most lakes and rivers I’ve seen are either open or have some open water along the shore, so access to fishable water shouldn’t be a problem.
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 2018 regulations booklet which accompanies your licence will show there are only a few changes for this season that anglers should be aware of.
A welcome change this year involves young anglers aged 16 and 17. Beginning this season they will no longer be required to purchase either a general or salmon sport fishing licence. They will be required to pick up a fishing licence, along with a regulation booklet, at a licence vendor but there will be no charge. Hopefully this will keep young people sport fishing for a few more years and help ensure they continue in the sport as they get older. Another change this year is that anglers may retain 100 chain pickerel per day.
Other than the change in pickerel bag limit I didn’t see any other changes in regulations for Pictou County. However, I know many local anglers also fish in Antigonish and Guysborough counties and they should be aware of new regulations now in place on several rivers in these counties.
In the St. Mary’s River, the bag limit has been reduced to three trout, of which only one may be longer than 35 centimetres. On the St. Francis Harbour River the bag limit for trout will now be one fish which must be greater than 35 centimetres.
Also, in the month of October it will be catch and release only for brown trout. You will be permitted to retain one rainbow which must exceed 35 centimetres. On the West River, Antigonish, the bag limit has been reduced in September to one rainbow trout which must be a minimum of 35 centimetres.
I have seen the benefits special trout management areas have had in Nova Scotia and I believe it will have the same effect on these rivers. This year both resident and non-resident anglers can take advantage of a free fishing weekend on June 2 and 3. A second free weekend will be held next winter from Feb. 16 to 18, 2019.
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 2018 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.
Tight lines!