This year’s annual Youth & Family Ice Fishing Tournament put on by Moose Jaw Wildlife Federation is a special time for families to experience the great outdoors together and a chance to fish. The event will take place at Buffalo Pound Park on March 11 from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m.
“The goal is to get more families out exploring a winter sport like ice fishing and get them engaged with their kids to have a positive experience,” Todd Smith, president of MJ Wildlife Federation, said.
He says the tournament is focused on encouraging youths and families to fish together and enjoy the event together. Children from ages two to 15 are considered youths, while anyone 16 years of age or older is considered an adult for this tournament.
To participate on tournament day, adults must show their proof of angling licence. All those under 16 years do not require a licence to fish in Saskatchewan.
“We consider 16 years as adults because you need to have and pay for a licence,” Smith said.
Smith who is part of the mandate of Land, Mineral, Wildlife, and Forest Conservation – OSHA says, “We’re the local branch under the Saskatchewan Federation and our mandate (includes encouraging) more participation in angling and taking advantage of fishing opportunities.”
He says many people simply assume fishing is a summer sport like sitting on the beach and fishing. He wants the public to know that ice fishing can also be fun in the winter. The good thing is it can be enjoyed by the entire family, and not a lot of special equipment is needed.
Participants are required to bring their fishing equipment to the tournament. It’s a live-bait release so individuals need to also bring a five-gallon bucket to keep the fish in after they are caught so they can carry them to the weigh-station for measuring.
The Saskatchewan Sportfish Research group from the University of Regina’s Somers lab will send their crew for tagging the fish as part of the program for the catch and release study. They have been working with the Wildlife Federation and have been doing this for quite some time. They will also educate the people who are participating in this tournament about their studies.
Registrations for the tournament are open now. To register please contact Todd Smith via e-mail at MJWildlife.Federation@gmail.com. Participants must submit their names, ages and contact information within the email body.
Pre-registration will end on Feb. 28 at 7 p.m.
You may also register at the time of the tournament.
Registration price is $5 per child, $25 per adult (and they must accompany a youth), and $50 per family.
A barbecue lunch will be provided for all pre-registered participants.
The kid’s prize category has two varieties – Perch fish and other fish species. The Biggest Catch of the Day will be awarded to each category - one adult and one youth, as well.
The MJ Wildlife Federation is happy to announce Cabela’s, Hub Meat Market, 360 Dustless Blasting, Sparkle & Shine, and Curly’s Bait MJ are sponsors for this tournament.
Smith advises participants to dress appropriately for the weather and try to have a nice shack or a fishing tent.
“It’s always nice to bring a heater and we can drill holes, or they can drill their own holes wherever they want to over their favourite spot,” he said.
