Welcome to Week CXLIII of ‘Fishing Parkland Shorelines’. Like most of us I am a novice fisherman, loving to fish, but far from an expert. In the following weeks I’ll attempt to give those anglers who love to fish but just don’t have access to a boat, a look at some of the options in the Yorkton area where you can fish from shore, and hopefully catch some fish.
We often hear about Manitoba being the ‘land of 100,000 lakes’, at least on this side of the 49th parallel.
In the United States Minnesota hangs its hat on being the ‘land of 10,000 lakes’.
But, when it comes to fresh water lakes Saskatchewan is right up there with our better advertised neighbours to the east, and southeast.
“The province (SK) has nearly 100,000 lakes and rivers, and some of the best freshwater fishing in the world,” related the Tourism Saskatchewan website (www.tourismsaskatchewan.com).
With so much water around, much of it in the northern half of the province, a vast area relatively few have ever ventured, it’s no surprise fishing is a huge tourist activity here.
“Drive or fly in, get settled at one of our many fishing lodges, and an unforgettable Canadian fishing adventure is underway,” relates the TS website.
Building on the foundation of all those lake hiding feisty fish, the province, like many jurisdictions has held ‘Free Fishing Days’ to promote the activity.
Each year, the Ministry of Environment has designated one weekend where you may fish without an angling licence. This past summer’s Free Fishing Weekend was July 12 - 13.
The idea is one I have written about in the past as being a great one.
It is an ideal opportunity to introduce people to the fun and relaxation fishing can provide. In that respect it is especially good in terms of letting new Canadians, try fishing. Sport fishing may not be something practiced in many countries, but with the freshwater we have here it is part of being Canadian.
Now summer fishing is an experience unique to the season. It is about warm days, breezes, wildflowers, birds, bugs and soaking in nature right along with the rays of the sun which produce our tans.
But in Canada we are made of stern stuff, so when winter comes we take it head on. Hibernation might work for bears, but we simply add a half dozen layers of clothes, pull on toques which are a fashion statement only here and in Russia, and head out the door to take in hockey games, to throw chunks of granite down a sheet of ice, and to fish. Now many might suggest it’s a case of collective brain freeze to undertake such things when its minus-20-plus, but it is who we are.
Ice fishing is different from summer fishing as much in its culture as it is in temperature.
Summer fishing can be a very personal experience, one where the fisherman communes more with nature than with those fishing nearby.
But in winter it comes down to the camaraderie of facing the harsh elements collectively, and laughing at the worst old man winter might be mustering that day.
We gather in ice shacks, light a fire, make coffee, break bread, play cribbage, and talk old times and times yet to be. Sure we still fish, but it is more about the friends huddled around the tin heater, braving the cold.
The free fishing in summer does not afford the chance at the experience of winter fishing through two-feet of ice.
So it was great news in my mind when the province announced a second free fishing weekend.
Feb. 14 to 16 marks another free fishing weekend in Saskatchewan – the first in winter – to promote the province’s many ice fishing opportunities, related a government website. This means everyone, including visitors from outside the province, can fish in Saskatchewan on Family Day weekend without having to purchase a licence.
“Ice fishing is a popular activity for many Saskatchewan anglers,” Environment Minister Scott Moe said in the release. “The Family Day weekend is an excellent opportunity for people of all ages to learn about and enjoy the sport of ice fishing, and to recognize the province’s diverse angling opportunities.”
The release also focused on safety.
Caution and common sense are key to safe and enjoyable ice fishing, it related. Test the ice thickness before you travel on it. A minimum of 10 cm of good ice is required for walking and 30 cm for light vehicle travel.
Good advice of course, although generally less a worry in February, although it is better to be safe than sorry.
Of course a good guide to start with is looking where ice huts are already on a lake. It is likely they are located where regulars at the lake expect to find fish, and it also suggests ice is safe.
From the same release, “anglers are reminded that all other fishing regulations, including possession limits and reduced limits on some lakes and rivers, remain in effect for free fishing weekend. Many of the rules that apply to angling remain the same for ice fishing; however, anglers should consult the Anglers’ Guide to become familiar with rules that are specific to ice fishing before heading out.”
Free fishing weekend does not apply in national parks and anyone planning to take fish out of the province must purchase a licence. Anglers on Lac La Ronge must have a free endorsement licence, available through the Ministry of Environment’s automated licence system. This endorsement helps to conserve and enhance the lake trout population and to gather data on angling pressure and harvest on Lac La Ronge.
More information about fishing in Saskatchewan can be found in the 2014 Anglers’ Guide, available wherever fishing licences are sold, or online at saskatchewan.ca/fishing
So with Monday being Family Day in our province, meaning a long weekend for many, it is a great chance to give ice fishing a try. It is like nothing else you will do in a year, and is something sure to make memories if you have never tried it before.
