By Sarah Klein
Manitobans have chosen the walleye as the province’s official fish.
The designation announced Thursday at FortWhyte Alive joins the Plains bison and Big Bluestem grass to become official symbols under proposed amendments to the coat of arms, emblems and the Manitoba tartan act.
“Following extensive public input, Manitoban’s voices were heard loud and clear; they love to fish, and whether they call it a walleye or a pickerel, there’s no question this fish represents a huge part of our provincial history,” said Conservation and Water Stewardship Minister Gord Mackintosh. “From a child’s first fish, to one pulled in from a commercial fisher’s net, nothing represents a Manitoba catch like the walleye.”
The province says recreational anglers spend about $98 million on activities and supplies and another $100 million is spent on other fishing-related purchases.
The mammal and grass symbolism helps to define the province’s heritage and history, the minister added.
