Online Licensing

Licences and Costs

Sportfishing licences, special harvest licences and applications, and undersubscribed special harvest licences for walleye are available at albertarelm.com or from more than 300 private licence issuers.

If you are under 16 years of age or an Alberta resident aged 65 or older you are not required to have a sportfishing licence to fish with a rod and reel; however, you must follow Alberta’s sportfishing regulations.

For information regarding Indigenous Rights and Responsibilities in regards to fishing, please visit Alberta’s website at https://www.alberta.ca/indigenous-hunting-and-fishing-in-alberta.aspx

All recreational anglers must have an active Wildlife Identification Number (WiN) before purchasing a recreational sportfishing licence or applying on a draw. WiN card activation requires a one-time $8.00 fee (plus GST). Current WiN card holders will be required to pay the one-time fee when their current WIN expires. Create or renew a online WIN and receive $2.00 off the activation fee.  

CAF Veterans Sportfishing Licence1(16-64 years)
Alberta Residents2 -  No Charge  
Non-resident Canadians3 - Not Available 
Non-Residents outside of Canada - Not Available  

Annual Sportfishing Licence (16-64 years)
Alberta Residents2 -  $28.00 
Non-resident Canadians3 - $60.00
Non-Residents outside of Canada - $85.00  

Annual Sportfishing Licence (under 16 years)
Alberta Residents2 -  No Licence Required 
Non-resident Canadians3 - No Licence Required
Non-Residents outside of Canada - No Licence Required 

Annual Sportfishing Licence (65 years and over)
Alberta Residents2 -  No Licence Required 
Non-resident Canadians3 - $60.00
Non-Residents outside of Canada - $85.00 

1-Day Sportfishing Licence
Alberta Residents2 -  Not Available 
Non-resident Canadians3 - $25.00
Non-Residents outside of Canada - $26.63

7-Day Sportfishing Licence
Alberta Residents2 -  Not Available 
Non-resident Canadians3 - $41.00
Non-Residents outside of Canada - $55.00

Special Walleye Licence Applications
Alberta Residents2 -  $3.35 
Non-resident Canadians3 - Not Available
Non-Residents outside of Canada - Not Available

Special Walleye Harvest Licence4
Alberta Residents2 -  $11.00 
Non-resident Canadians3 - Not Available
Non-Residents outside of Canada - Not Available

1 A resident Canadian Armed Forces Veteran is an Alberta resident who is a former member of the Canadian Armed Forces, has successfully undergone basic training and has been honourably discharged. 
2
Alberta resident is a resident of Canada and has their only or primary residence in Alberta.
3 A non-resident Canadian has their only or primary residence in Canada and is a Canadian citizen or is admitted to permanent residence in Canada and has lived in Canada for the immediately preceding 12-month period.
4 Scroll down for draw information.

Licences must be carried when sportfishing and transporting fish harvested with the sportfishing licence.

To obtain the free CAF Veteran Sportfishing Licence, Canadian Armed Forces veterans update and confirm their WiN profile status by providing approved identification (VSC, CAF 74, NDI 75, CFOne “V”) on the AlbertaRELM website or a licence issuer. Must carry the CAF Veteran Sportfishing Licence and approved veteran identification when sportfishing.  

The AlbertaRELM App is the only method for which anglers can easily store and access licences electronically. Please remember that the onus is on the angler to produce the electronic or paper licence when requested by an officer during field compliance checks.

If a person is convicted of a provincial fishing or hunting offence and fails to pay their fine, they will be suspended from purchasing or using a sportfishing licence, a hunting licence or applying on draws until that outstanding fine has been paid.

How are the Sportfishing Licensing fees used? For each $1 of revenue collected:

  • $0.61 is distributed to the Alberta Conservation Association. For more information on how funds are used to support Fisheries programs, please visit www.ab-conservation.com
  • $0.34 is used for licensing allocation and administration providing compensation to the Service Provider and the network of private Licence Issuers as well as provides funds for programs to monitor fish populations. For more information, visit mywildalberta.ca
  • $0.05 goes to Government of Alberta General Revenue Fund.

Lost/destroyed licences – all purchased licences can be reprinted either at a licence issuer for a $2.00 fee or online at no charge.
Lost/destroyed tags – Tags that are lost or stolen can now be replaced at a licence issuer for a $11.00 replacement fee. 


Draws for Special Harvest Licences

For more information about Special Walleye Draws, go to albertarelm.com and mywildalberta.ca

Alberta uses an innovative approach to allow a sustainable level of harvest of walleye from lakes that have recovered from major declines. Several fisheries have recovered to the point where a limited harvest of specific sizes of walleye can be allocated. Recognizing the need to conserve fisheries, where fishing pressure is substantial, a limited harvest option has been developed. A special harvest licence is available for walleye to Albertans selected through a draw at specified lakes.These lakes are selected based on current stock assessment and sport fishery information.

Notice to Anglers
At the time of printing this document, the lakes identified are open for the current season under a Special Licence Draw. Alberta Government reserves the right to close any lake if it is deemed that a fish stock cannot sustain itself or sustain a harvest. For example, if a lake has experienced serious winterkill, a zero harvest regulation may be implemented. If you have any questions regarding this statement, contact EPA.Outreach-Services@gov.ab.ca.

Tagging instructions
When purchasing your licence, choose either paper or electronic tags.

Walleye retained with a Special Harvest Licence must be immediately tagged as per conditions of licence with either a paper tag and wire through the gill cavity and mouth, or an electronic tag using the AlbertaRELM App.  

Immediately e-tag retained fish on the AlbertaRELM App, with or without cell service. Harvest records indicate the date and time of tagging.

Special Harvest Licences are to be used only by the licence holder, other than the exemption below.

Anglers who are less than 16 years old are permitted to use a supervising adult’s Special Harvest Licence tags for walleye. 

2022 DRAWS

March 30 - April 23, 2023
Draw applications may be purchased for $3.35 (plus GST) online at albertarelm.com or at licence issuers.

May 9, 2023 
Draw results may be viewed online at albertarelm.com.

May 9, 2023 
Special Walleye Licence may be purchased for $11.00 (plus GST) online at albertarelm.com and at licence issuers.

May 9, 2023 
Undersubscribed Licence information available online at mywildalberta.com.
 
May 9, 2023 
If not drawn, a undersubscribed licence (Class A or B) or up to 5 Class C licences can be purchased for $11.00 (per licence; plus GST) online at albertarelm.com or at licence issuers.   


DRAW RULES including types of Special Harvest Licences for walleye  

Type of Special Harvest Licence Draws Available: 

Class A (2 walleye over 50)
Class B (2 walleye 43-50 cm)
  

Restrictions on Applying for these Draws: 
 
● An Alberta resident may apply for both draws but will only be drawn in one.
● Draws will be conducted in the following order: Class A, Class B.
● Applicants drawn will be eliminated from subsequent draws. Applicants NOT drawn will be issued a priority point. This increases the chance of being drawn in future draws.  

Application: 
 
● Your application for either Class A or Class B can include your 1st, 2nd, and 3rd choice of lake.
● Up to 4 applicants can apply as a group.
● The priority of a group application is based on the individual with the lowest priority.
● Please visit albertarelm.com for more detailed information on what opportunities are available including statistics on previous draws.

New! Purchase up to 5 Class C walleye licences on a first-come first-served basis, after licence information is available on albertarelm.com.

If you were drawn for a Class A or B or purchased an undersubscribed or Class C licence you will be able to purchase additional licences starting on July 14. See MyWildAlberta.ca Fishing Licences for more information.


All applicants require a Wildlife Identification Number (WiN). A WiN card can be purchased online at albertarelm.com and at any licence issuer.

If you only want to increase your draw priority, choose priority only (999) as your first and only choice.

You can view last years Special Licence Draw Summary Report. This provides statistics on the number of applications, licences available, and your chances of being drawn. Visit albertarelm.com.

If there are not enough draw applicants to fill the Class A and Class B Special Walleye Licence quotas, the undersubscribed licences are made available to eligible Alberta resident anglers to purchase on a first-come first-served basis.

Undersubscribed licences become available for purchase May 9, 2023.

Draw priorities are not affected by purchasing an undersubscribed licence.

Harvest tags and wires can be ordered online at albertarelm.com or picked up at your local Fish and Wildlife office.