News Release

FREDERICTON (GNB) – The provincial government is raising awareness of responsible ice fishing and reminding fishers to be good stewards of the environment.

“Ice fishing is a traditional winter activity in New Brunswick,” said Environment and Local Government Minister Serge Rousselle. “It provides an excellent motive for nature enthusiasts to get outdoors for some peaceful solitude, or for socializing with family and friends. As with any outdoor recreation, we want to ensure New Brunswickers understand their responsibility to ensure their activities respect the environment.”

Each year, signs are posted at popular ice fishing sites to ensure owners of shelters respect waterways regulations. The signage also outlines how to properly maintain shelters until the end of the fishing season.

“New Brunswickers have a growing awareness of the importance of protecting our environment, including our waterways,” said Rousselle. “Our government wants to remind ice fishers of the rules governing the proper and safe use of fishing shelters, and the responsible removal of these shelters in the spring. By protecting our waterways, we make it so that this fishing tradition continues to be enjoyed by many generations to come.”

Under the Clean Environment Act the owners of ice fishing shelters must:

• post their name and address clearly on the outside of the shelter.

• mount shelters on skids or runners to allow for easy removal.

• remove all shelters and contents before the spring thaw or by the season-end dates of March 15 in southern regions of the province and March 31 in northern regions.

• properly dispose of all waste on land.

Shelter owners who do not comply are subject to regulatory enforcement actions.

Regulations and the designated inland, tidal and international waters list for 2018 are available online.