Released on March 12, 2015
Ice fishing season closes on March 31 in southern Saskatchewan and on April 15 in the north. This means that all fishing shelters south of Highway 16 must be removed by March 15 and shelters in areas north of Highway 16 must be removed by March 31.Each spring, a number of ice fishing shelters are abandoned on the ice of Saskatchewan lakes. This creates identification and cleanup challenges for the province and can pose environmental concerns.
Any litter, including fish entrails and offal, must also be removed when ice shelters are taken off the ice.
“These shelters need to be removed because they can pose a danger to boaters, water-skiers and others enjoying our lakes if they remain floating in the water,” Ministry of Environment Compliance and Field Services Executive Director Kevin Callele said. “The pieces wash up on shore and can cause environmental hazards. If shelters are not removed, owners could be prosecuted, and the structure and contents may be confiscated and removed by the ministry.”
In 2014, a Saskatoon man was fined $2,800 for leaving an unmarked ice fishing shelter on the ice-covered waters of Blackstrap Lake, and for littering.
Ice fishing shelters must have the owner’s complete name, address and phone number on the outside in legible letters that are at least 2.5 cm high.
Anyone travelling on the ice should take extreme caution. Slush indicates that ice is eroding from above and below at an advanced rate and changing temperatures can cause thermal cracks and pressure ridges, which are indicators of unsafe conditions.
More than 189,000 Saskatchewan angling licences were sold to residents and non-residents in 2014-15. Information about fishing in the province can be found in the Saskatchewan Anglers’ Guide, and online at www.environment.gov.sk.ca/fishing.
To report a fisheries, wildlife, environmental or forestry violation, contact your nearest Ministry of Environment Office or call the province's TIP line at 1-800-667-7561 or #5555 from any SaskTel cell phone, or report a violation online at www.saskatchewan.ca/conservation. You may be eligible for cash rewards from the SaskTip Reward Program. Callers can remain anonymous and may be eligible for a cash reward if their information leads to a conviction.
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For more information, contact:
Jamie Gibson
Environment
Regina
Phone: 306-798-3900
Email: jamie.gibson@gov.sk.ca