Wednesday was the first day anglers needed their 2009 sportfishing licence. In this province, it’s relatively painless. The $25.66 is a real bargain, considering the amount of enjoyment you get fishing legally.

Last year, 243,860 licences were sold to Alberta residents, up almost 10,000 from the previous year and the most in the past 10 years.

Trevor Council, Alberta Conservation Association senior biologists, says he expects fewer people to buy licences this year.

“Because of the economy, it’s likely fewer people will go fishing.”

We’d like to believe that all anglers who do know the regulations and follow them. But, apparently that’s not the case. Last summer in the Upper Oldman River drainage, for example, 183 tickets were issued for various violations, including no licence, using a barbed hook and catching and keeping too many or too-small fish.

“Regulations compliance is quite weak,” says Andrew Gustavson, a Fish and Wildlife Officer in the Blairmore District.

The reality is, where there’s regulation and not enough enforcement, some people break the rules, to the detriment of the fishery and to the chagrin of anglers who follow regulations because they are conscientious users of a valuable, public resource.

The regulations are there for a reason. For starters, they were developed to protect the fish and the fishery from being over-exploited.

Regulations also generally limit the number and size of fish that can be kept, how released fished should be treated, the numbers and kinds of (barbless-only) hooks used and whether bait is legal. Rules for specific still and flowing waters across the province are listed in detail in the guide provided each licence purchaser.

The regulations don’t change a lot, but they and other concerns get attention each year in roundtable discussions that involve Albertans with an interest in fisheries management and conservation.

From a recent local session, Terry Clayton, senior fisheries biologist for the Lethbridge region, found three concerns raised by representatives of groups such as the Lethbridge Fish and Game Association and Trout Unlimited he’s passed on through the consultation process for potential change next year.

A request by an adjacent landowner to lower the water level in Dipping Vat Lake near Hillspring has resulted in reduced oxygen and stressed fish, the roundtable group was told. Clayton said a plan was being developed in which the province could purchase about six acres around the lake so the water level can be maintained at an adequate level.

As well, area group representatives again recommended non-resident fishing licence fees be raised drastically to more closely compare with other jurisdictions across Canada.

One observer notes, “Albertans subsidize Americans to fish our home waters to the point that some rivers are too crowded for Albertans to enjoy fishing in summer.”

The roundtable process itself came under criticism because people from across the province meet at Edmonton later this month and the concerns raised in the south tend to get passed over for concerns in other parts of the province.

Whatever might come of this month’s discussions, regulations for 2009 are set and should be read and followed by everyone who fishes here.