Northern Angler

  Caught a walley yesterday at Rainbow Lake.  I didn't even hook the fish, I hooked into the 15-20 feet of braided fishing line that was wrapped around the poor thing.  Anybody else ever encounter anything like this?  I've probably pulled over a miles worth of fishing line out of the lakes and rivers this year.  I put the mono in milk jugs for recycling and tie the braid into a ball for garbage.  I wonder how many fish die every year wrapped up in fishing line.

Cory, your post didn't go un-noticed........Unfortunatly garbage is found everywhere, even in the midst of a lake. I've forwarded your post onto the fish and wildlife in hopes they will post a reply with some information on the topic!

Hello,

Thank you for your question via Alberta Connects. I got some information from Sustainable Resource Development staff.

While we often see birds tangled in fishing line before, fish being caught in fishing line is a rare occurrence. Fishing line being left in water is hard to mitigte as fishing line often breaks and retrieval of lost lures and fishing line is difficult.

With regard to garbage in lakes, general littering on a lake is covered by section 181 of the Environmental Protection and Enhancement Act (EPEA) as “improper disposal of waste on/into/under water or ice”. Fish and Wildlife Officers and Conservation Officers have the authority to enforce this, but many other Peace Officers (authorities governed by the Solicitor General) would also have this authority. I’m not certain about Sheriffs, but certainly the RCMP and many municipal ‘bylaw’ officers would have that authority. Primarily the location of the lake (and perhaps the activity of the subjects) would affect which agency might respond to the complaint.

Trisha LeTilley

Public Affairs Officer

Alberta Sustainable Resource Development

w. 780-427-9196

c. 780-916-5824

It is just disgusting how irresponsible some folks are are.  We recently did the Skeena River along different gravel bars and other easy access points.  All we did was pick up tangled line left behind.  There is no reason to leave tangled line all over the place.  We reeled alot of it in as well on our lines.  Makes me sick. 

Cory at 05:41PM on Aug 09, 2009

  Caught a walley yesterday at Rainbow Lake.  I didn't even hook the fish, I hooked into the 15-20 feet of braided fishing line that was wrapped around the poor thing.  Anybody else ever encounter anything like this?  I've probably pulled over a miles worth of fishing line out of the lakes and rivers this year.  I put the mono in milk jugs for recycling and tie the braid into a ball for garbage.  I wonder how many fish die every year wrapped up in fishing line.

Hello Cory,

I hooked up on some line at Sturgeon a little while back and there was alot of it approximately 200 yards worth. There was no fish wrapped up in but the potential was there along with someones prop or legs if they are water sking or swimming which could cause serious problems. I wish people would be a little more considerate to other users of the water and most importantly consider the wildlife that may get caught up in it. As a side note, I got a really nice hook out of the deal 

Hello Clarence,

It's always a bonus when tou get hooks out of the mess.  I can't count how may lures I've pulled out this year.  I always know which ones to use when I want to cast into a rats nest of branches though.  Happy fishing, have you had much luck lately?

the worst thing I found on a lake this summer was a tampon floating in the lake at Swan. I actually stoped fishing there this summer after that.

Just like my Poaching reply - littering gets almost the same response...  This has always been one of my two Pet Peeves - the other being Parking in Handicapped Parking when one is Not Handicapped...  I can't count the number of tickets that I have handed out over the past 32+ years to those that choose to Litter ????  And don't even get me started on those Littering Non Handicapped people - hehehe !!!

KEEP THE OUTDOORS CLEAN !!!   IF YOU PACK IT IN - PACK IT OUT !!!   AND FOR CRYING OUT LOUD - DON'T SINK THOSE CANS & BOTTLES TO THE BOTTOM OF THE LAKE !!!

A buddy and I went to one island lake, and we took our snorkels and stuff, the bite was off, so we dove a little and cleaned about 20 bottles off the bottom.