Manitoba’s 2020-21 fishing season kicks off this weekend.
As of Saturday, May 9, fishing in the southern division begins; which includes Dauphin, Swan River, Brandon, Emerson, Bisset, and Grand Rapids.
Fishing in the rest of the province will be permitted on May 16.
If you’re in need of an angling license, the process is going to look a bit different this year. The Manitoba government is now moving the purchasing of outdoor licenses to an online e-licensing website.
Don Stokotelny from Sticky’s Bait and Tackle in Dauphin says you won’t find many places in the Parkland offering in-store license purchasing anymore.
“In order to do online licenses in your store, you have to have a computer and printer available. It would take about 12 minutes to process each individual license, and considering the cost of paper, ink and our own equipment, the $1 dollar commission didn’t seem fair to us.”
If you don’t have access to a computer, Stokotelny says the local Manitoba Conservation office in Dauphin can process your park pass, and angling & hunting licenses, or you can call 1-877-880-1203.
Those caught fishing without a license can face a fine of $298, and failing to carry your license while fishing could set you back $174.
Conservation officials are reminding anglers to protect fish stocks by releasing fish who are discharging eggs back into the water.
For the latest guidelines for anglers in Manitoba, check out the Manitoba Angler’s Guide 2020.
