Leeches have been banned as fishing bait in Riding Mountain National Park.
Parks Canada put the ban in place on May 11th.
Tim Sallows, a resource conservation officer with Parks Canada, spoke with us about what is banned and why officials don’t want them used.
“Leeches have been restricted in all bodies of water in Riding Mountain National Park due to the concern of aquatic invasive species coming in with them, mostly zebra mussels.”
“But live and parts of fish are restricted as well. So minnows are not allowed as well.”
Sallows says earthworm, ground crawlers, and metal lures are all allowed as bait in RMNP.
