SASKATCHEWAN'S FREE FISHING WEEKEND JULY 11-12

Released on July 9, 1998

Environment and Resource Management Minister Lorne Scott today

announced that July 11 and 12 will be Free Fishing Weekend in

Saskatchewan.



Scott said Free Fishing Weekend allows people, who may not have

previously experienced this activity, an opportunity to participate in

recreational fishing. On Free Fishing Weekend people can try their

hand at recreational fishing, share these experiences with friends and

family and teach young people about the province's fish and water

resources.



Residents and visitors may fish without a licence anywhere in the

province, except national parks. However, a special licence is still

required to fish for sturgeon and a free endorsement is required to

fish Lac la Ronge. All other fishing regulations remain in effect.

For a copy of these regulations pick up the free 1998-99 Saskatchewan

Angler's Guide, available wherever fishing licences are sold.



The Angler's Guide also contains information on catch and release and

on the more than 150 bodies of water in Saskatchewan that were stocked

with over 40 million fish in 1997. The province's Fort Qu'Appelle

Fish Culture Station, stocks millions of fish each year in hundreds of

waterbodies throughout Saskatchewan.



The Fish Culture Station located east of Echo Valley Provincial

Park on Highway #210, has been in operation since 1914 and has

enhanced fish supplies for three generations of Saskatchewan

anglers. The station's Visitor Information Centre is open to

visitors daily from 9 a.m. til noon and 1 p.m. to 4 p.m. and

provides an entertaining experience for young and old to learn

more about the fish of Saskatchewan.



This year Free Fishing Weekend also coincides with Parks Week

(July 11-18) providing another excellent reason to visit one of

our many provincial parks where numerous activities have been

planned recognizing the important role parks play in helping to

preserve our natural and cultural heritage.



"Saskatchewan is a great place to fish and we want to emphasize

the importance of this resource to everyone," Scott said. "The

more people become aware of the fish resource and its value, the

more they'll protect the quality of our lakes and streams."



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For more information, contact:



Kevin Callele

Fish and Wildlife Branch

Environment and Resource Management

Regina

Phone: (306) 787-4146