Congratulations to Hooked Editor Don Lamont on his 75th Birthday today and his 44th year in the Outdoor Industry!
Lamont was the recent recipient of the Manitoba Wildlife Federation’s highest honour – the Jack Dunlop Memorial Conservation Award. Lamont was presented the Award at the Manitoba Wildlife Federations 2026 Annual Convention. Managing Director Carly Deacon spoke about the award, citing Lamont’s 44 years of promoting conservation through his writing, television show The Complete Angler, and his work with various stakeholder groups. His shared successes include a Canada’s Recreational Fisheries Award for work with Winnipeg’s Urban Angling Partnership, as well as a National Tourism Award for his promotion of Manitoba. He was also involved in the creation of a Fisheries Enhancement Fund in 2014 which was then expanded to include wildlife. Since its creation in 2014, the Fish and Wildlife Enhancement Fund has been an important partnership between the provincial government and Manitoba hunters and anglers providing over $9.3 million to 291 fish and wildlife projects. Lamont was also part of the Lake Winnipeg Angling Stakeholder Group that forced government to manage Lake Winnipeg walleye stocks sustainably. The group held a rally on the lawns of the Manitoba Legislature in 2018 that turned the tide. The changes have brought back walleye populations in record numbers to this world-famous walleye lake.
Further to that Don was involved in the Manitoba Recreational Angling Strategy. These changes included reduced limits, protection of trophy fish and year-round angling seasons for some popular species. With increased pressure on walleye stocks, the province also wanted to provide more protection through an extended closed season in the spring. Well three years later these new regulations have totally changed the angling landscape in Manitoba for the better.
