Keeping the Tradition Alive through Traditional Fishing Methods

Various sections of the world have heritage fisheries, which are preserved aquatic areas that have a fishing culture or habitat that has been shielded from the dangers of modern times. Less important than the preservation of a specific style or era is the location of a heritage fishery, which may be a lake, river, or even a portion of the ocean. With heritage fishing, you can do two things: enjoy fishing the way it was in the past, and make sure it stays that way in the future.

Minnesota State Parks is proud to announce the addition of Glendalough State Park. The park's lakes were privately fished for nearly a century before a private benefactor gifted the area to the state in the 1990s. The lakes at Glendalough State Park were reserved for the use of the donor's family and invited guests only. Therefore, the sizes and densities of fish in the lakes of Glendalough are more indicative of the past than the present.

For a taste of Minnesota fishing in the 1800s, head to Annie Battle Lake, the biggest of the Glendalough Lakes. No motorized vehicle is permitted on the lake. Shore fishing is enjoyable from every spot here, and you can hire rowboats and canoes at the park office. No gas-powered vehicles or electronic fishfinders are allowed.

Because Annie Battle Lake is free of gas and oil pollution, its waters are home to an abundance of large bass, panfish, walleye, and northern pike. In order to ensure that the population remains stable for future generations, stringent catch-and-release restrictions and fishing limits are put into place. You can find great wading spots for bass fishing in a little brook that runs between Annie Battle Lake and another lake in the park. The bottom of the brook is sandy, and it's waist deep.

Located on the Welsh Severn Estuary, the Blackrock Lave Net Fishery is both the only remaining fishery of its type in the country and a historic landmark. For centuries, this fishing method has been passed down through the generations in perilous tidal seas, where the average pace is between seven and eight knots.

The Welsh government issues fewer than twelve permits for lave net fishing each year; all of these licensees are members of a local association that is committed to protecting this traditional technique of fishing for salmon. Besides using waders instead of animal skins, contemporary lave netters are indistinguishable from their historic counterparts.

There has been no alteration to the lave net, which is a Y-shaped frame made of wood and a hand-woven net. Fishermen wade into the water and either "cower" (stand still) to attract salmon or keep an eye out for the distinctive splashes that indicate their whereabouts. Before moving on to deeper water, the fishermen might cast their nets and catch the fish.

Legal and tidal constraints limit this type of fishing. There is a window of calm weather approximately 1.5 hours before low tide when anglers can hone their skills. They are guided by tidal knowledge and local information passed down from generation to generation.

Kjaerra Laxefiske, located on the Kjaerrafossen River close to Helgeland in Norway, has a history that begins in 1388. The two historic fisheries here are defined by the "markebol," a measurement unit from the Middle Ages.

Traditional fishing gear is still used to catch salmon, and in the 1950s, the houses around the fisheries were reconstructed to look like they were built in the Middle Ages using timber and stone. On Thursdays, everyone is invited to see the weekly salmon pot opening, when the catch of the week is unveiled.

No matter where they are, legacy fisheries play a significant role in local ecosystems and cultures. They not only provide the pure joy of fishing but also a chance to learn about fishing's history and keep it alive for generations to come.