Fishing News
Last Update/Review: March 20, 2008
Quick Scroll to the following news items:
Ten thousand walleye licences waiting for Alberta anglers
Métis Harvesting in Alberta, 2007
Alberta Fisheries Management Round Table provides a means for Albertans to share their vision for Fishing in Alberta in the 21st Century
The 2005 Survey of Recreational Fishing in Alberta provides updated information about sport fishing in our province
New Licence for Competitive Fishing Events/Derbies
Fishing in Richardson Backcountry, Proper Storage of Harvested Fish
Brochure promotes careful fish handling
Ten thousand walleye licences waiting for Alberta anglers
(March 20, 2008)
More than 10,000 walleye licences are available for Alberta anglers at Pigeon Lake (near Edmonton), Wolf Lake (near Bonnyville), and Lake Newell (near Brooks), through the Special Walleye Licence program, which allows anglers more opportunities to keep the walleye they catch.
For the first time ever, anglers will be able to use the Special Walleye Licence during ice-fishing season. This expanded season for walleye fishing will provide even more flexibility and opportunities for anglers to catch and keep walleye.
Anglers may purchase draw applications for the Special Walleye Licence from March 20 to April 10 at licence issuers or through the draw line, 1-900-451-3729. The call will cost $3.25 for the first minute and $1.15 for each additional minute. The cost to submit a draw application is $3.04 plus GST. Most of the available licences and associated tags are allocated for Pigeon Lake.
For more information, download this brochure.
Métis Harvesting in Alberta, 2007
(July 10, 2007)
The Interim Métis Harvest Agreement lapsed July 1, 2007. Some Métis in Alberta are the beneficiaries of constitutionally protected harvesting rights as described in R. v. Powley, the Supreme Court of Canada (September 19, 2003).
For details please refer to the following document: Métis Harvesting in Alberta
Alberta Fisheries Management Round Table provides a means for Albertans to share their vision for Fishing in Alberta in the 21st Century.
(April 27, 2007)
The Alberta Fisheries Management Round Table is a stakeholder consultation forum that acts as a “sounding board” on the provincial fisheries management program. In late April, this Round Table convened in Red Deer to discuss specific issues and move forward with setting an Alberta vision for Fishing in the 21st Century.
Read more about the Fisheries Management Round Table...
The 2005 Survey of Recreational Fishing in Alberta provides updated information about sport fishing in our province
(April 27, 2007)
In 2005, an estimated 300,000 active anglers spent 3.3 million days fishing in Alberta. In total, about 12.3 million fish were caught, of which roughly 1.6 million were harvested. Alberta’s recreational fisheries contributed more than $440 million to the provincial economy.
These are just some of the interesting findings of the 2005 Survey of Recreational Fishing in Alberta, completed as part of a nationally coordinated study by Canada's federal, provincial and territorial fisheries agencies. The goal of this survey (conducted every 5 years) is to collect information about angler demographics and perceptions, the use of fish resources and the economic value of recreational fisheries.
Monitoring trends in angler satisfaction, demographics and fishing activities is important for effective sustainable management of our fisheries. Follow this link to a downloadable copy of the report.
New Licence for Competitive
Fishing Events/Derbies
July 12, 2006
Starting August 1, 2006, all sportfishing tournaments and derbies (collectively called "Competitive Fishing Events" or CFEs) held in Alberta, with 25 or more participants, require a licence to be held by the organizers of the event. The type of licence depends on the number of participants and the value of prizes. The cost of all licences is $25 and will only be issued to organizers who are residents of Alberta. CFE Licence holders must follow certain conditions when they conduct the event. Best practices have been prepared to minimize impacts on fish populations.
CFE Licences are issued from district Fish and Wildlife offices. Application forms and other documents are available at the new CFE Licence website.
Fishing in Richardson
Backcountry, Proper Storage of Harvested Fish
2005 July 28
Fishing for trouble in Richardson backcountry area is
the topic of a new Improving Alberta's Fisheries fact sheet that describes
the results of improperly storing harvested fish as part of a fishing
trip. The fact sheet reinforces the Sportfishing Guide messages on
possession that all anglers should know.
Click on Fishing
in Richardson Backcountry for a pdf of the fact sheet.
2005 July
Careful handling and release by anglers gives fish the best chance to live and reproduce.
Fish handling tips include the following:
- Limit the amount of time a fish is out of the water.
- Use soft, wet gloves when handling fish.
- A rubber landing net reduces handling time and is less damaging to fish.
- Release fish gently—never throw them back into the water.
- Never "fizz" a fish (poking a hole in swim bladder so fish sinks)—it increases mortality.
- Fish have lower survival if they are caught in deep water (more than 7 metres), brought to the surface and then released.
Information on barbless hooks and fish handling.
