Cast Away Your Worries: Nova Scotia’s Sportfishing Season Begins!

The eagerly awaited sportfishing season in Nova Scotia kicks off on April 1st, 2023, with many lakes and rivers opening up for recreational fishing. The season is an exciting time for both seasoned and novice anglers and an opportunity to experience the great outdoors while enjoying some quality time with family and friends.

Steve Craig, Minister of Fisheries and Aquaculture, emphasized the importance of sportfishing as a fun and healthy outdoor activity suitable for people of all ages and abilities. For individuals with disabilities or mobility issues, 21 barrier-free fishing sites across the province provide accessible parking, flat fishing pads, benches, and railings, making it possible for more people to enjoy the activity.

Anglers are reminded to respect bag limits and other regulations to help maintain healthy fish populations, ensuring that the sport is available to future generations. Catch and release fishing is encouraged, as it helps to maintain healthy fish populations and conserves the environment.

The spread of invasive species, such as chain pickerel, can be detrimental to native species, ecosystems, and biodiversity. Anglers are urged to report any sightings of invasive species to prevent their spread to other bodies of water.

In Nova Scotia, over 400 lakes are stocked with trout from provincial fish hatcheries annually. Those who are interested in sportfishing can buy a sportfishing license online or at vendors across the province. General fishing licenses are valid for all freshwater fish species except Atlantic salmon.

According to the department of fisheries and agriculture, over 70,000 people participate in sport fishing each year in Nova Scotia. The sport contributes about $85 million to Nova Scotia’s economy, making it an essential recreational activity for many local communities.

Overall, the opening of the sportfishing season is an exciting time for anglers across the province, offering an opportunity to experience the great outdoors while contributing to the local economy. As always, following regulations and best practices to protect the environment and ensure that future generations can enjoy the same activities is crucial.