Last year was a hard year on our fisheries resource due to a large increase in angling pressure. To address that problem, the Manitoba Fisheries Department put together a comprehensive plan to overhaul our fisheries management in this province.
This ten-page document is called MANITOBA’S RECREATIONAL ANGLING STRATEGY- Managing our World-class Fisheries. A link to it is here.
This is a welcome response to the growing demand for better angling opportunities for everyone. This plan wants to create new angling opportunities, strengthen fish population monitoring and implement new measures to protect our fisheries.
Personally, this document outlines proposed changes that I have been waiting years for. This includes having a year-round angling season for several species including northern pike, smallmouth bass, crappies and channel catfish.
As for walleye the season closure would match that of Ontario, the third weekend in May. This will allow walleye a chance to spawn even if it is a late spring. They also propose a couple changes to angling licenses, dropping the conservation license to add a one-day license.
SCIENCE BASED MANAGEMENT IS THE KEY!
Probably the most important part of all this is the commitment by the province to adopt a science-based approach to Fisheries Management. This is really the only way we manage the fishery sustainably. Many of our lakes are mixed-use and support domestic harvest, commercial fishing, and recreational angling activity. As retired regional fisheries biologist Ken Kansas said if you don’t have data, you don’t have crap!
Agriculture and Resource Development Minister Blaine Pedersen has been listening. Last week he announced that the Manitoba government is investing more than $800,000 to help sustain the province’s world-class fisheries.
“Our fisheries are an incredible resource that are important to Manitobans, and also play a large role in our rural communities and tourism sector,” said Pedersen. “More people than ever are out enjoying our lakes and rivers, but we must be proactive in managing our fisheries with the added pressure.”
The province has committed an additional $600,000 for wildlife and fisheries management, which will be dedicated in 2021-22 to Manitoba fisheries to support enhanced monitoring and data collection. The enhanced data collection will be targeted toward high-use recreational angling lakes and mixed-use fisheries that support domestic fishing, recreational angling, and commercial harvest. The data collected will also help support the eco-certification of commercial fisheries and ensure that Manitoba’s fisheries continue to be managed sustainably.
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HATCHERY GETS A NEW TRUCK FOR STOCKING OUR LAKES!
An additional $250,000 investment has also been made for a new fish hatchery stocking truck. The new truck features an improved tank configuration that will allow for more efficient and flexible stocking operations while reducing emissions.
For more information on Manitoba’s fisheries, including the Lake Information for Anglers website, visit www.manitobafisheries.com.