LAKELAND - While many annual Family Day events across the Lakeland have been cancelled as a result of continued gathering restrictions in place, the province is till offering its free Family Day fishing initiative to all Albertans.
Jason Penner, Communications Advisor with Alberta Environment and Parks confirmed that Alberta Fishing Week will run from Feb. 8 to Feb. 15, which includes the long weekend.
"Alberta Fishing Week celebrates our natural resources and helps to create awareness about responsible angling," said Penner. "During Family Fishing Weekend (Feb 13 to 15), Albertans are invited to discover the lure of fishing without having to purchase a sportfishing licence. All other sportfishing regulations still apply." Regulations can be viewed online through the Government of Alberta's website.
As an outdoor activity, ice fishing without a shelter can be enjoyed with up to 10 people with appropriate distancing, as per Alberta’s current public health measures, says Penner.
"Ice fishing from within an ice shelter is considered an indoor activity and indoor social gatherings are not permitted. This can occur among household members only or, if you live alone, the two close contacts that you are seeing while restrictions are in place," he explains.
When talking about ice fishing, one item that Penner pointed out was a change to ice shelter regulations.
"To protect the health of Alberta’s waterbodies, encourage stewardship and promote conservation, identification requirements for ice shelters (huts) have been added to the provincial regulations."
Anyone who leaves an ice fishing shelter on the ice for longer than 24 hours must label it in contrasting colour with text 2.5 centimetres or taller with the following information: Your Wildlife Identification Number (WIN), or your name and telephone number.
Shelters must be removed on or before March 15 if it is withing Fisheries Management Area PP1, or on or before March 31 on any waterbody within Fisheries Management Areas PP2, ES1-ES4, NB1-NB4.
A few ice fishing tips should also be kept in mind, such as making sure ice conditions are safe. Safe fish handling should also be considered to keep fish safe.
Cancelled events
In St. Paul, the Town of St. Paul's FCSS department, along with many partners, typically organize the community's largest winter event - Shiver Fest - over the long weekend.
Due to restrictions, Shiver Fest will not take place, confirmed Director of FCSS Lynn Smid. But, the department is encouraging families to take some time over the Family Day weekend and reflect. The department is promoting an initiative called "Put your family in focus." The initiative encourages families to reminise through old photos, whether it's on their devices or actual printed photographs.
Families can send photos to family members they haven't seen in a while, and connect virtually. Parents can chat about people in the photographs with their children, and speak to them about what made the moment special. Families can create a photo collage and plan their next family adventure.
The Bonnyville Oilmen's Society and Bonnyville Oil Ladies Society also typically puts on its Free Family Fun Day on the long weekend. The event has been cancelled this year, due to public health measures.
