Red Deer anglers asked to keep ethics in mind when fishing

“Ideally, you train your anglers to be ethical. One issue is that the free fishing event became so public and popular. We coach attendees about being ethical, which includes not trying to catch the geese, and not leaving your line,” says Donnelly.

“What’s also happened is people have fed and trained the geese, and that’s not healthy for them either. Sometimes they’ll hear [a fishing lure’s] plop on the water, and they try to swarm it, so we’ve coached anglers to pay attention to that, because the geese are trained to seek out food.”

Donnelly was uncertain about this case, but said that whether it’s this case or another, a line around an animal could also be from a kite.

(Image Credit: Medicine River Wildlife Centre)

Regardless, the message of respect for the environment, he agrees, extends beyond anglers to anyone who’s out in nature.

Donnelly shared that the free fishing event is not in danger, and in fact is intended to grow.

But he will be meeting with the City of Red Deer to discuss improving signage for anglers at all fishing holes.

The City notes it has worked with the Medicine River Wildlife Centre over the last several years to install and service fishing line collection tubes at Bower Ponds and Mitchell Pond.

“These white tubes, installed on or near fishing platforms, are specifically designed to collect discarded fishing line,” shares Tyler McKinnon, community development superintendent.

“The City is working with community partners to educate the public about the importance of responsible fishing practices and the role everyone plays in environmental stewardship.”

There are actually about 30 of those tubes placed at fishing areas around central Alberta, Carol Kelly, executive director at the wildlife rehabilitation centre, says.

@rdnewsnow Out in the environment? Please respect it, the City of #RedDeer, RD Fish & Game Association, and Medicine River Wildlife Centre ask. #CanadaGoose #CanadaGeese ♬ original sound – rdnewsNOW

Her organization manages them after initially partnering with a group called Clear Your Gear.

Kelly says they have had three geese in for treatment recently, all from Bower Ponds.

She says the one pictured had the line wrapped around quite tightly, and they presumed that upon catching it, the leg would be necrotic (dead).

Following a tense staredown involving Wildlife Conflict Specialist Gwen Marshall that ended with the goose humanely netted, they realized the leg thankfully was fine. Once they took it back to the rehab centre for treatment, they returned the goose to Bower Ponds.

Another case saw a goose partially swallow a fishing hook, which it had pounced on in an attempt to get the dangling worm. Kelly says the situation resolved itself when the goose’s digestive fluids — within its crop — were able to at least partially break the hook down, and it went free.

“Our message is just for people who are fishing to be as absolutely responsible as possible,” Kelly says.

“If you see fishing line left on the ground, even if it’s not yours, pick it up. We’re not going to say anything should be banned, and we don’t want people to not enjoy fishing, but be responsible with your gear.”

Kelly also recommends not feeding the geese whatsoever, and especially not bread.

More information about fishing opportunities, and how to do so ethically, is available here.

by Josh Hall

Red Deer anglers asked to keep ethics in mind when fishing

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