Mild conditions won’t delay Feb. 1 trout season opening

GANDER, NL – Mild winter conditions won’t affect the Feb. 1 trout season opening, but the Department of Fisheries and Oceans Canada reminds anglers to ensure safety is a priority on or near ice and open water.
The angling season will be open until April 15.
The following conditions apply to winter angling for all species of trout:

• Maximum of three separate lines each equipped with one hook per method while angling through the ice.
• All three lines must be closely and constantly attended to by the angler.
• Where open water is available during the winter angling season, anglers may angle with rod and line from shore or boat.

Daily bag/possession limit/size restrictions (insular Newfoundland)
Trout: (includes speckled trout, brown trout, rainbow and ouananiche)
Daily bag/possession limit: 12 fish, which can be a combination of any of the species (speckled, brown, rainbow, ouananiche) or 5 lb. (2.27 kg) round weight plus one fish of any of those species, whichever is reached first. No rainbow or ouananiche less than 20 centimeters (eight inches) can be retained.
Possession Limit: twice daily bag limit.
Arctic char:
Daily bag limit: 12 Arctic char, or 5 lb. (2.27 kg) round weight plus one fish of that species, whichever limit is reached first.
Possession limit: twice daily bag limit.
Smelt
Daily bag limit: no limit.
Possession limit: no limit.