The provincial government closed the Lake Manitoba commercial fishery season early as the maximum quota for walleye (pickerel) and sauger was reached.
A spokesperson for the department of economic development, investment, trade and natural resources said this is the first year since the early 1990s that the fishery has had to close before the end of March.
“The department is closing the Lake Manitoba winter commercial net fishery for walleye and sauger on Feb. 24 as a result of the annual allowable quota being reached. This is the first year since 1991 that the Lake Manitoba quota (907,000 kilograms of walleye and sauger combined) has been reached and the fishery closed before the normal seasonal end date of March 31,” said the spokesperson. “Working in collaboration with the Lake Manitoba Commercial Fishers Association, it was agreed that based on weekly production figures, the season would close on Feb. 24 to avoid exceeding the quota.”
Fishers were given 10 days’ notice before the closure.
All fishing nets had to be pulled and fish deliveries completed by the end of the day on Feb. 24, according to a notice from the fisheries section manager.
The department issued 285 commercial fishing licenses to Lake Manitoba fishers this year, the spokesperson said, and there are 12 fish sheds that operate around the lake to purchase fish from commercial fishers.
The early closure affects only commercial harvesters. Anglers and those with a carp licence can continue fishing.
“The commercial quota is regulated separately from the recreational harvest. Only the commercial fishery will be closing on Feb. 24 and other fishers are not affected,” said the spokesperson. “In addition, Lake Manitoba fishers using a carp licence can continue to harvest carp for the remainder of the season.”
The Lake Manitoba fishery is managed separately from Lake Winnipeg, and its harvest data was not accidentally combined with data from Lake Winnipeg.
“The closure of the Lake Manitoba commercial net fishery does not have impact on commercial fishing activities on Lake Winnipeg, as the Lake Winnipeg commercial fishery is managed separately,” said the spokesperson.
The Express was unable to reach the fishery association and fish sheds for comment.
