While not quite official, I believe we can safely say that Police Outpost Lake will be governed by new delayed harvest regulations beginning April 1, 2008..........At last discussion with Fish and Wildlife the new regs were on the Minister's desk awaiting final approval before going to print..........I spoke with Barry Mitchell on another issue a few days ago and he had recent discussions with an official in Sustainable Resources in preparation for printing the 2008 Alberta Fishing Guide..........The official advised him to print the new regs in the Guide..........In summary the new regs are:
1) Open for fishing April 1 to October 31
2) Use of bait prohibited
3) Kill limit 1 fish per day over 50 cm.
There are currently 2 aerators operating in the lake........I have not heard reports of how the ice fishing has been to date.......The lake was stocked with 132,000 fish last spring so I'm hoping the ice fishermen are doing well so as to reduce the population which, combined with a reduced stocking in the spring of '08 and the new regs should produce a quality fishery in S.W. Alberta............
As an added bit of good news, when we attended the October Roundtable meetings SR officials indicated they have drafted a strategy for the development of further "quality fisheries" throughout the Province where, in consultation with anglers, the objective will be to have two such fisheries per Fisheries Management Zone and thus more angler choice..........This is a significant and positive change from the current procedures to establish these types of fisheries.......
Thanks to all that worked on this project, especially the folks at Fish and Wildlife and Sustainable Resources and certainly including those of you who supported these efforts last spring with your emails to F&W........Happy New Year!!