Conservation From Your Ice Fishing Houses
Learn about limits, catch-and-release, and protecting fish habitats from your ice fishing houses.
Responsible ice fishers take care of the environment.
They follow regulations to protect fish populations and habitats.
Licenses and Regulations
State and provincial government agencies set ice fishing regulations.
Regulations require that ice fishers buy fishing licenses when they reach a certain age.
This age can vary from 12 to 16.
Government agencies also set limits.
Limits regulate the number of fish a person can catch and take home from their ice fishing houses in one day.
Limits vary according to the species and time of year.
Some ice fishing regulations limit the number of tip-ups and jigging rods people can use.
For example, ice fishers may only be allowed to use a certain number of tip-ups at a time.
Government agencies also set minimum sizes. Fish smaller than the minimum size must be released. This law helps make sure that fish grow old
enough to spawn.
Releasing Fish
Some ice fishers choose to practice catch-and-release fishing. By releasing some fish, they can help make sure there are more big fish available
for everyone.
Fish need to be handled gently to prevent injuries to the fish. Ice fishers should put fish back in the water soon after landing them.
They should try to keep a fish in the water as they release it. A fish placed in a net can end up with damaged scales.
Fish should not be thrown back into the water. This can stress the fish and lower its chances for survival. Fish should be slid gently back
into the water.
Protecting Water Sources
Some water sources are becoming polluted. Waste from factories and chemicals used in farming can pollute water sources. Pollutants can enter the
bodies of fish. Fish with pollutants in them can become sick or die. It might also be unsafe to eat fish that have pollutants in their
bodies.
Ice fishers should try to prevent pollution and damage to water sources. They should leave their fishing area as they found it.
Responsible fishers place trash in a trash can at their ice fishing houses or they take it home with them.
For more great information on protecting water sources visit The Ice Fishing Outdoors Site!
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