The Manitoba angling season will open in May offering residents and tourists great opportunities to catch channel catfish, goldeye, northern pike, walleye, white bass, lake trout and yellow perch, Water Stewardship Minister Christine Melnick said today.

 

“Angling is an important part of outdoor life in Manitoba and significant to the provincial economy as millions of dollars are spent annually on fishing equipment, food and lodging for visiting anglers,” said Melnick.  “This province offers more than 100,000 lakes as well as great fishing in rivers, streams and marshes.”

 

“Manitoba’s provincial parks will feature free admission during the Family Fishing Weekend
June 9 and 10,” said Conservation Minister Stan Struthers.  “This is an ideal time for making your own outdoor memories and creating some great family fish stories as angling licences will not be required for the weekend and admission to provincial parks is free.”  

 

Fishing in southern division waters starts May 12, while opening day for the general angling season in the northwest and north central divisions is May 19.

 

Licence fees for the 2007 angling season are:

·         resident, conservation licence – $10.28;

·         resident, regular licence – $15.89;

·         Canadian resident, conservation licence – $18.69;

·         Canadian resident, regular licence – $37.38;

·         non-resident, conservation licence – $28.04;

·         non-resident, regular licence – $51.40; and

·         senior resident, conservation licence – free .

 

Licence fees are subject to GST and available at hundreds of businesses throughout the province and Manitoba Conservation offices.  Recreational fishing includes angling, spear fishing, bow fishing, dip netting, seining and minnow trapping.