Looking for a unique activity the whole family can enjoy this holiday weekend? You might want to head outside and give ice fishing a try.
Whether you are a Saskatchewan resident or just visiting the province, you can take advantage of a free fishing weekend from February 16-18 without having to purchase a licence.
“The province of Saskatchewan has offered a free fishing weekend during the winter since 2015 to help encourage participation in ice fishing,” explained Murray Koob, fisheries biologist with the Ministry of Environment.
Koob says ice fishing is a great opportunity to get outside and enjoy winter. He adds that ice fishing does not necessarily require a lot equipment; all you really need is something to open a hole in the ice, which may include a chisel, hand auger, or even a power auger. Beyond that, he says your fishing gear can be “something as simple as a spool of line with a jig on it.”
Your choice of bait will depend on what you are trying to catch. If you are trying to attract perch, use smaller bait such as mealworms or maggots. Pike or walleye require something like a jig with a frozen minnow.
The free fishing weekend is available on all Saskatchewan public waters that are open to sport fishing. National parks are excluded.
“All the other rules and regulations that govern ice fishing are in place. If you consult with the Angler’s Guide, which is available online at saskatchewan.ca/fishing, that will spell out a lot of the common rules and regulations that you need to know.”
Of course, be sure to exercise caution when heading out on the ice.
“Safety is something you need to keep in mind; use common sense and put safety first. You should always test the thickness of the ice when you are travelling on it to make sure it is adequate,” said Koob. “What we suggest is 10 cm of ice is adequate for walking and 30 cm of good ice is good for light vehicles. Dress warm and let people know where you are going.”
Whether you have been ice fishing for years or are looking to try something new, don’t miss your opportunity to get outside this weekend.
