‘Let’s put our phones away,’ says angler giving fishing clinic

Anglers in Saskatchewan can cast a line without obtaining a licence this weekend.

It’s the annual free fishing weekend and expert angler Jason Matity will be offering free clinics and equipment rentals for the first 20 participants at four different provincial parks.

“It’s just an opportunity for people to appreciate angling, which is something we’ve been doing for generations. If we don’t continue to promote it as a wonderful, fun and wholesome activity, it’s something people won’t do anymore,” Matity told 980 CJME’s John Gormley this week.

While free, this weekend will not be a free-for-all.

Fishing regulations related to possession and equipment still apply. As well, free fishing only applies to provincial water bodies, not national parks. If people want to take fish out-of-province, they’ll need a licence.

“They are very, very important first off, so fishing can be a renewable resource … but also because you can be fined for going over your limit,” Matity said.

As well, there are limits depending on fish species.

Matity said in most provincial lakes, you can keep up to four walleyes, three of which must be under 21 inches. But at special fisheries like Blackstrap, the limit is lower.

“There’s a difference between a pike and a perch, for example. Pike, you can keep five of those, perch you can keep 25 of those but in some lakes, 10. Those are really important things you need to know before you go out,” he said.

Free fishing weekend has been an annual tradition since 1989, to get more people interested in sport fishing. According to the government, about 250,000 people sport fish each year.

However, statistics that Matity has seen suggest that participation in fishing is declining. Reversing the trend is why he gets involved with the tradition.

“Traditional fishing and hunting audiences, they’re dropping off a lot with the new generation. I put that on me, John, to make sure that doesn’t happen,” he said.

“Let’s put our phones away, let’s get outside and really enjoy it.”

Matity is to hold clinics at Duck Mountain Provincial Park and Saskatchewan Landing Provincial Park on Saturday.

On Sunday, he’s to be at Buffalo Pound Provincial Park and Moose Mountain Provincial Park.

Seminars start at 10 a.m. and 1 p.m. There isn’t any need to register.