The majority of work for conservation officers over the past month has been performed on the lakes in the surrounding area.

Lindsay Leko, a conservation officer working within Weyburn field area, says most of the patrolling has occurred at Rafferty, Rough Bark and Nickel Lakes.

"We're seeing a few without licenses and a few with licenses but not carrying them," said Leko of problems encountered while checking anglers. "It's a year-round problem, they'll forget their (fishing) licenses at home it's a good idea to put it in your tackle box," said Leko.

"Liquor in small vessels has been the majority of our work even along shore, that's a public place and, that's something the public doesn't like to see at all at Nikkel and Rafferty, so if we see it, we deal with it."

Leko adds there is a misconception that people can drink if a boat driver is not drinking. "Possession of alcohol is strictly a no-no."

Conservation officers have been doing a little extra work with a new small vessel, "We're checking for equipment, life jackets and the general operation of boats."

As of April 1 a new law came into effect, anyone under 16 operating a water craft is committing an offence.

"The bottom line is there's been way too many accident with underage kids operating personal water crafts. It's a piece of equipment that's pretty powerful a 12 year old at Blackstrap was injured a couple of weeks ago operating a water craft," said Leko. "There is no fine, it's an automatic court appearance," said Leko.

Leko concludes the majority of conservation offences are still occurring at Nickle Lake, especially with people water-skiing with no spotter, which is a criminal code offence.