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Thousands of anglers will head to the province’s rivers and ponds Thursday when the 2010 angling season opens.

“Fishing is a popular pastime on Prince Edward Island that allows everyone the opportunity to relax and enjoy the natural beauty of our province,” said Minister of Environment, Energy and Forestry, Richard Brown. “Fishing is a fun, inexpensive way for people of all ages to experience the great outdoors.”

Angling licences for the 2010 season are $10 and can be bought at participating retailers across the Island, Access PEI or online. Licenced anglers must also purchase a Wildlife Conservation Fund Licence which costs $13 for seniors and $20 for other adults.

For the second year, a five-day family fishing licence will be available to all anglers. This licence allows the spouse and dependents to fish for a five-day period for $5 plus a $5 Wildlife Conservation Fund fee. This licence will be available for purchase May 1. Family Fishing Weekend, which requires no angling licence, will be May 21-24.

“Family Fishing Weekend is a great way for first-time anglers to try the sport with experienced anglers in their family,” said Minister Brown. “This initiative is a creative option for people interested in family activities over the long weekend.”

As a conservation measure, the Department of Environment, Energy and Forestry is imposing some restrictions for the 2010 season.

• With the exception of Harmony Pond opening April 15, the angling season on Souris River opens May 15. In 2009, four thousand Atlantic salmon parr were stocked into the Souris River as part of a research project. The delayed opening is in place to give salmon smolts an opportunity to migrate to sea.

• The section of the east branch, Souris River, upstream from the Souris Line Road, will be closed to all angling between May 15 - October 15 to protect a restored brook trout nursery area.

• Restrictions have been lifted for the 2010 angling season on the east branch, Tryon River.

• The Dunk River will be open for the 2010 angling season but with restrictions allowing stocks to recover from an extensive fish kill in 2007. Anglers are allowed to retain rainbow trout, at a maximum of eight per day, but brook trout are restricted to catch and release fishing only.

Extended angling seasons continue for the 2010 season allowing catch and release angling into October. The season will end October 15. A list of rivers with extending seasons can be found in the 2010 Angling Summary. The angling season at Leards Pond on the Morell River and Marchbanks Pond on the Wilmot River will remain opened until October 31.

Licences for the 2010 angling season, as well as the 2010 Angling Summary can be found at: www.gov.pe.ca/eef/licence.