Tag Archives: Ministry of Environment

Free ice fishing weekend!

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February 14 to 16 marks another free fishing weekend in Saskatchewan – the first in winter – to promote the province’s many ice fishing opportunities.  This means everyone, including visitors from outside the province, can fish in Saskatchewan on Family Day weekend without having to purchase a licence.

Environment Minister Scott Moe said.  “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.”

Caution and common sense are key to safe and enjoyable ice fishing.  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.

Anglers are reminded that all other fishing regulations, including possession limits and reduced limits on some lakes and rivers, remain in effect.

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

Free fishing weekend August 23/24 but don’t mess with the shoreline!

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For those residents who don’t already have a season fishing licence, the weekend of August 23 and 24 will be Saskatchewan’s second free fishing weekend of the summer.  Everyone – including visitors – will be free to fish on those days without having to buy a licence.

Because of the storms last month, people may not have been able to take advantage of the Free Fishing Weekend in July, so the Ministry of the Environment has decided to offer up the opportunity for everyone to enjoy another free fishing weekend in Saskatchewan.

“Free fishing weekend is a good time to try your luck fishing in one of Saskatchewan’s wonderful lakes and rivers, and to introduce new anglers to one of the province’s most popular outdoor activities,” Environment Minister Scott Moe said.  “Sport fishing attracts more than 225,000 residents and visitors to our province, and generates more than $300 million each year.”

Free Fishing Weekend does not occur in national parks, and anyone planning to take fish out of the province must purchase a licence.  All other fishing regulations apply, including possession limits, reduced limits and closed areas on some lakes and rivers.

More information about fishing in Saskatchewan can be found in the 2014 Saskatchewan Anglers’ Guide, available wherever fishing licences are sold, or online at saskatchewan.ca/fishing.

Meanwhile, two Lloydminster men were fined a total of $11,200 in Meadow Lake Provincial Court for unauthorized alteration of the shoreline at Lac des Isles without a permit.

Lac des Ilses

Lorne Newcombe and Duwayne Springer of Lloydminster, Saskatchewan were convicted of one count each under Section 36(1)c of the Environmental Management and Protection Act for unlawfully removing vegetation along the shoreline at Christel Beach on Lac des Isles near Goodsoil, Saskatchewan.  In addition to fines of $5,600 each, the men were also ordered to replace the vegetation that had been removed, with which they have complied.

Conservation officers investigated a complaint in July of 2013 and found that the vegetation had been cleared down to the edge of the water.  Lac des Isles is an important recreational fishing area and the shoreline area is valuable for fish habitat.

“It is important that property owners around lakes find ways to carry out development without damaging the environment,” Environmental and Municipal Management Services Executive Director Sam Ferris said.  “When conducting work in and around water, residents are asked to contact the nearest Water Security Agency regional office.”

A conviction for altering a creek or shoreline without the proper permits carries a maximum fine of $1 million.

If someone suspects an environmental violation call toll-free Turn in Poachers line at 1-800-667-7651 or #5555 for SaskTel cell phone subscribers, or report a violation online at Saskatchewan.ca/conservation.  Those who report a violation may be eligible for cash rewards from the SaskTip Reward Program.

 

Changes to fishing regulations made by Sask Environment

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The Saskatchewan Ministry of Environment has made changes for 2014 and onward to support fish conservation programs, client service and to ensure sustainability of the resource.Saskatchewan lakes

Saskatchewan lakes“To ensure that fishing remains a popular and accessible activity in Saskatchewan, we need to plan for the future,” Environment Minister Ken Cheveldayoff said.  “These changes to our regulations will help protect our fish populations and offer anglers a wider range of angling experiences.”

A new one-day angling licence has been introduced as a convenience to occasional anglers in the southern and central zones.  Automatic licence suspensions of one to five years for serious offences will be implemented in 2014 and fines for these offences will increase.

In 2015, Saskatchewan will offer an additional free fishing weekend during the winter to encourage participation in ice fishing.  Free fishing weekends will take place on July 12 and 13, 2014, and on February 14 to 16, 2015.

To guard against the potential disease risk to fish populations, only leeches and crayfish originating within Saskatchewan may be used as live bait.  Non-resident anglers must now provide proof to an officer, upon request, that their live bait was purchased in Saskatchewan.

A standard condition for competitive fishing event authorizations is that only fish listed in the regulations or on the licence are eligible to be kept and weighed in.  This amendment clarifies that all fish species not authorized by the regulations or licence must be released immediately.  In addition, an amendment to the definition of a tournament clarifies that fish caught must be released alive, to ensure that tournaments do not operate as derbies (catch and kill events).

Nobody other than a First Nation or Métis person, or a member of their immediate family, may assist, aid, fish with, or possess fish taken by an individual fishing for food pursuant to their Aboriginal or Treaty rights.  This amendment is intended to support recognition and respect for Treaty and Aboriginal rights to fish, and prevent non-Aboriginals from taking or possessing more than their legal limit of fish.

More information about angling regulations can be found in the Saskatchewan Anglers’ Guide, available online at www.saskatchewan.ca/fishing.

Waste Reduction Week coming up

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Environment Minister Ken Cheveldayoff has proclaimed October 21-27 as Waste Reduction Week in Saskatchewan, marking the 13th time the province has joined the nation in recognizing the week.

With an emphasis on engaging Canadians, Waste Reduction Week aims to inspire communities throughout the province and across the country to take a more conscientious approach toward the protection, preservation and enhancement of our environment.

“Saskatchewan has some of the most effective and successful recycling programs in the country,” Cheveldayoff said.  “Thanks to our recycling programs for used beverage containers, oil, tires, paint and electronics, more than 48,000 tonnes and 19 million litres of waste materials were diverted from our landfills in 2012.  However, there is still more to do when it comes to reducing waste and increasing recycling habits.”

“Too Good to Waste”, the theme for Waste Reduction Week, aligns with the government’s growth plan to sustain economic growth while protecting the environment and maintaining Saskatchewan’s excellent quality of life.

“We’re thrilled that the Ministry of Environment has proclaimed Waste Reduction Week,” Saskatchewan Waste Reduction Council Executive Director Joanne Fedyk said.  “Waste Reduction Week is a great opportunity to celebrate our accomplishments and to adopt new waste-reducing habits so that we can work toward a waste-free Saskatchewan.”

Waste Reduction Week in Saskatchewan is organized by the Saskatchewan Waste Reduction Council.  For more information, visit www.saskwastereduction.ca.