The winter trout fishing season runs from January 1 to March 31, 2010 in two lakes, Glenfinnan Lake and O’Keefe’s Lake. Glenfinnan Lake has once again been stocked with rainbow trout and offers the angler the opportunity to take home a “feed of trout.”

O’Keefe’s Lake has not been stocked this year and is restricted to catch and release angling only as mercury levels in some of the lake’s fish may be above recommended guidelines.

Richard Brown, Minister of Environment, Energy and Forestry said today that, although the season has begun, anyone going fishing should be sure to check the safety of ice conditions. Ice should be at least 15 centimetres (six inches) thick where individuals or small groups are fishing and should be at least 25 centimetres thick where snowmobiles, trucks or all-terrain vehicles (ATVs) are being used.

To ensure a safe fishing experience, the department advises that anglers fish with a friend and that children on the ice should be supervised. Warm clothing and a personal flotation device should be worn while a rescue rope should be close at hand when anyone is fishing on or near ice.

Anglers who have a valid trout fishing licence are free to participate in the winter fishery. Anglers must also have a valid Wildlife Conservation Fund permit. If you don’t have a license, a family fishing license – which allows the license holder, spouse and dependents to fish for five days for $5 – may be the ticket to a fun weekend. Licences will be available at Access PEI Centres and at selected retailers and are also available online at:www.gov.pe.ca/enveng . Anglers under 16 years of age do not require a licence for the winter fishery.

The public can get more information on the winter angling season by calling the Forests, Fish and Wildlife Division at (902)368-4683 or visitingwww.gov.pe.ca/photos/original/2009fishsum.pdf for an angling summary.