If you're looking to do some catch-and-release fishing for smallies, certain parts of Canada won't be the place for you. Invasive species are a major problem, no one denies that. When a species is introduced to a place they don't belong, they tend to either die off immediately or dominate, at least from what I've noticed while following outdoors happenings over the past few years. Here in the states we have a bunch of invasive species wreaking havoc throughout the country:
Wild hogs , snakeheads, green iguanas, Burmese pythons, and cane toads come to mind right off the jump. Let's take
Burmese pythons as an example of just how destructive invasives can be. Back in 2012, a
study by the USGS showed that, compared to 1997 levels, populations of small mammals were practically non-existent in the Florida Everglades, which until then boasted near countless numbers. They found that raccoon populations declined by 99.3%, possums by 98.9%, and bobcats by 87.5% while marsh rabbits, cottontail rabbits, and foxes had effectively been eradicated. And that was back in 2012. The number of pythons has done nothing but continue to skyrocket, with Florida Fish and Wildlife estimating that around 100,000 to 300,000 currently live in the Everglades alone. So yeah, it's only natural that wildlife agencies are going to step in when possible to avoid the inevitable result of losing native fauna due to an invasive species in the area. Which brings us to Nova Scotia beginning to levee giant penalties on anglers who do not follow the latest catch-and-kill order put forth by the Department of Fisheries and Aquaculture. The order is only effective for bodies of water in the Margaree River watershed, which spans nearly 120,000 hectares (463 square miles) on Cape Breton Island, according to
NovaScotia.ca . Effectively, anglers who catch a smallmouth bass are required to kill it, as they are encroaching on the habitats of trout and Atlantic Salmon, which Canadians significantly value over smallmouth. Smallmouth are not native to Canada and were only introduced in 1940 but have taken to the waters quite well, causing the need for this measure, or at least some measure to protect them. Many states in the US have the same rule for anglers that catch snakeheads but enforcement is shotty at best. You'd need a game warden to see you catch the fish and release it and the sheer expanse of fishable waters makes that pretty tough to do. Canada is facing that same problem of course, but they've decided to incentivize the public to obey by putting some enormous fines on those caught letting smallmouth go. According to
CBC , an angler found to have released a smallmouth bass into the Margaree River watershed can be subject to a first offense fine of $100,000. A second offense will run you up to $500,000 and the possibility of 2 years in jail... Obviously, those are insane penalties for releasing a fish. I'm all for having anglers do their part to maintain the waterways, but come on now, 2 years in jail for tossing back two smallmouth bass? What are we doing here? Granted, the Margaree River watershed already has strict use laws in place. The only method allowed is fly-fishing and barbless hooks must be used. Certain etiquette standards are enforced as well, such as pool rotation, so it makes sense that laws of this type would be put in this area, but still, it's really outrageous. Guess that's why I'll stay happy to be living in the US of A, where we can toss as many smallmouth bass back into the river as your heart desires. If you're heading out to fish and need some new gear, check out
Tackle Warehouse . They've got everything you need for a successful fall season, including rods, reels, bait, and accessories. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hKugS4ob1G4
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