Fishing regs revised

The province has revised its fishing regulations to ensure conservation.

Further details are included in the following news release issued today by the Ministry of Natural Resources:
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New fishing season opens

NORTH BAY
The Ontario government has issued the 2004 Recreational Fishing Regulations Summary to ensure proper conservation and protection of the province’s fish stocks, and contribute to a healthy natural environment, Natural Resources Minister David Ramsay announced recently.

“The great fishing opportunities in Ontario are second to none,” said Ramsay. “But anglers need to make sure they know and follow the rules to preserve this great natural resource.”

The fishing season opens locally on different dates. Please refer to the 2004 Recreational Fishing Regulations Summary for the correct open season in the area you wish to fish. The ministry reminds anglers of the following important guidelines:

• Anglers must have a valid fishing licence and Outdoors Card.
• Anglers must abide by the daily limits for various species or combinations of species.
• Where length limits apply, anglers should measure their fish carefully, and any fish caught while angling must be kept whole so the length can be measured by inspectors.
 Fishing is banned in fish sanctuaries.
 If an angler accidentally catches a species for which the season is closed, or catches a fish of prohibited size, the fish must be immediately returned to the water.
• When fish are being transported or stored, they must be packaged so they can be easily identified and counted.
• A resident angler who catches his/her own baitfish or leeches cannot have more than 120 at any time.

More information on rules, regulations and fishing sanctuaries is available in the 2004 Recreational Fishing Regulations Summary, from licence issuers, ministry district offices and on the ministry’s website here.

To help protect our natural resources, members of the public can report violations to local ministry offices or by calling Crime Stoppers at 1-800-222-TIPS (8477).

“Fishing is a wonderful recreational activity that draws millions of people to the outdoors and improves our quality of life,” said Ramsay.