Free Sportfishing This Long Weekend

Anglers can sportfish at 63 lakes this Heritage Day long weekend, February 18-20, without a general fishing licence.

“Our free sportfishing weekends are a perfect time to get outside and do something fun with family or friends,” said Fisheries and Aquaculture Minister Steve Craig. “Thanks to the great work of our hatcheries, many of our winter lakes are stocked regularly with trout, which gives everyone – beginner or advanced angler – a chance to experience winter fishing at its best.”

Anglers can stay safe while sportfishing by:

• monitoring weather conditions
• dressing in layers
• checking ice thickness before fishing
• wearing a flotation device when appropriate; for example, if fishing from a boat
• ensuring they tell someone where they are going and how long they plan to be gone.

Fishing regulations and other rules still apply and can be found in the Anglers’ Handbook at: https://beta.novascotia.ca/sites/default/files/documents/1-2412/anglers-handbook-en.pdf

Quick Facts:

• more than 70,000 people participate in sportfishing each year in Nova Scotia
• sportfishing contributes about $85 million to Nova Scotia’s economy
• there will be a second free sportfishing weekend June 3-4
• fishing Atlantic salmon is excluded from licence-free weekends

Additional Resources:

Information on sportfishing licences: https://beta.novascotia.ca/find-fishing-licence-sportfishing-vendor

Information on Nova Scotia Heritage Day, 2023 honouree Rita Joe and this year’s celebrations is available at: https://heritageday.novascotia.ca/