Alberta Angling Ethic

In accordance with the Fish and Wildlife Policy, the Alberta government promotes the following angling ethics.

The ethical angler has respect for wild creatures, knowledge of his or her natural surroundings, a sense of fair play and consideration for the rights and expectations of others. Fishing, as promoted by the Alberta government, should foster an ethical relationship of the highest order between anglers, their quarry, fellow anglers, and the natural environment. Ethical conduct is expected of anglers in Alberta.

1. Maintain the sport of recreational fishing. Emphasize the fishing experience. Use sporting methods, gear (lures, line type and amount of technology) appropriate to the type of fishing and the size of fish desired.
   
   
2. Provide proper care and handling of caught or released fish. Fish are to be released with the greatest possible care and minimal amount of handling. Fish that are kept should be killed quickly once they are out of the water and in such a manner that their edible or trophy value is preserved.
   
   
3. Conduct sportfishing activities that result in the least disturbance to the surrounding environment. Refrain from littering on land and in water. Take refuse to a proper disposal site.
   
   
4. Respect the need and expectations of your fellow anglers. Treat other sport anglers with common courtesy: (a) leave room for others to fish, (b) disturb the fish as little as possible, (c) leave the fishing site in the same condition as it was found, (d) don't remain in one fishing spot too long, (e) be cooperative and understanding, (f) obey the limits and keep only as many fish as you require to enjoy the sport.
   
   
5. Consider other land users. Carry out fishing activities in a manner that minimizes conflict with other land users and anglers.
   
   
6. Respect the rights of landowners. Request permission for access across private property. The landowner has the right to grant or refuse access.
   
   
7. Follow angling regulations. Know and abide by all fishing regulations and encourage others to do the same.
   
   
8. Anglers have a duty to address illegal activities in a safe manner. Angler’s actions could range from alerting others to closed waters or wrong size or species being kept to reporting all observed violations of angling regulations to the Fish and Wildlife Division, Alberta Sustainable Resource Development. It is important to collect pertinent information (such as vehicle licence numbers, violator descriptions, etc.) that will assist enforcement actions.

Important Changes for 2012

The summary in this section does not contain all regulation changes for 2012 and is provided only for general information to assist anglers in locating important changes. Carefully review regulations appearing in “Site-Specific Regulations” for each Watershed Unit for each Fish Management Zone.

General

• After relatively minor changes in 2011, the 2012 sportfishing regulations reflect two years of extensive angler and native consultation on a variety of proposed regulation changes to better manage our fisheries resource. Work continues on a number of lakes and species at risk that form the basis for angler and native input and consultation in 2012.
  
• In order to reduce harm to fish, the distance that live fish can be taken from a waterbody has been reduced to five metres.
  
• Anglers are reminded that the use of a light is illegal when sportfishing (unless the light is attached to a hook or line used in angling).

Walleye

• The 12 lakes with Special Walleye Harvest Licences in 2011-12 have been reviewed and modified. Ten lakes will continue to use the program with minor adjustments to the size categories and number of tags available to anglers. Two of the lakes, Lac Isle and Amisk Lake, no longer have walleye populations that can support any harvest and have been dropped to a zero limit for 2012.
  
• The program has been expanded to three additional lakes (Elinor, Whitefish, Battle) which had zero harvest regulations.
  
• The successful recovery of the Smoke and Iosegun walleye fisheries has resulted in an increase in angler success and harvest impact. General harvest regulations will be replaced with walleye tags.
  
• Recognition of reduced angling pressure in the winter allows the limit for Walleye to be increased on Keho Lake during this period.
  
• Walleye populations under increased harvest pressure are being protected by increasing size limits or reducing limits (South Buck, Snipe, Utikumasis lakes and the Lesser Slave River).
  
• Delayed opening season dates on the Little Bow River and Travers Reservoir will allow spawning walleye to disperse and reduce the risk of angling pressure threatening the stability of the population.

Trout/Whitefish

• Regulations have changed for Upper and Lower Kananaskis lakes, Pit 44 Lake and Whiteridge Pond. These lakes will be managed as quality fisheries (see definitions).
  
• Youth participation is being encouraged with the Kids Can Katch pond associated with the Bow Habitat Station (Calgary).
  
• The Rainbow Trout limit for ALL FLOWING waters (EXCEPT the Pembina River & tributaries) in the Athabasca River Watershed within Watershed Unit ES3 has been changed to a zero limit to support the conservation and recovery objectives identified by the Alberta Athabasca Rainbow Trout Recovery Team.
  
• Recent assessments of the Lake Trout population in the Caribou Mountains indicate the population is not sustainable at current harvest levels. The Lake Trout limit has been reduced to one fish at Margaret, Pitchimi, Wentzel, Semo and Caribou lakes.
  
• Whitefish in Gull Lake attract large numbers of anglers and the Whitefish limit has been reduced by two fish to ensure sustainability of this popular winter fishery.
  
• Similarly, the impact of high angler use on the Red Deer River is responsible for a reduction in the Mountain Whitefish limit to three fish over 30 cm.

Pike/Perch

• The harvest of Perch in Dillberry Lake (PP2) is now encouraged.
  
• Perch limits have been reduced on the Lesser Slave River and four lakes (McMillan, Snipe, Long and North Buck) in response to increases in angler pressure.
  
• Seven lakes in NB1 and one lake in NB2 have been added to the program evaluating the impact of regulations on pike populations. These lakes have healthy populations of small Pike and anglers can harvest two fish with no size limit at Armstrong, Crikett, Halfmoon, Hanmore, Lodge, Powder, Unnamed (Sowka) and Unnamed (Whitemud) lakes.
  
• New regulations to enhance the number of large fish have been introduced for Snipe Lake (ES4) where only smaller fish (under 75 cm) now can be harvested.
  
• Clear Lake in PP1 now has a high minimum size limit in recognition of its ability to produce large Pike.
  
• Additional conservation measures to reduce the impact of angling include new spring closures for four reservoirs in PP1, consistent with other area waters (Clear Lake, Travers Reservoir, Twin Valley Reservoir, and Lake Newell).

Burbot

• All waters in PP2 except the North Saskatchewan River and Tributaries have had the Burbot limit reduced to a maximum of two fish (with a zero bag limit in February and March to protect spawning fish).

Arctic Grayling

• The Arctic Grayling limit on Orloff Lake Tributaries and Outlet has been reduced to zero to protect the small remnant population.

Future Regulation Proposals

The Fish and Wildlife Division of Alberta Sustainable Resource Development conducts public reviews of various recommendations made by anglers, sportfishing organizations and staff. You are encouraged to send your comments on any issues of concern to the address below. Your letter or e-mail will be sent to the appropriate fisheries managers and advisory committees for further review.

Alberta has identified several native sport fish species as Threatened (Lake Sturgeon, Westslope Cutthroat) or of management concern (Bull Trout, Athabasca Rainbow). Recovery or management plans are being prepared for these species. Management conservation and recovery actions identified in the plans may have an impact on future sportfishing regulations. More information on Alberta’s recovery program can be found at http://srd.alberta.ca/FishWildlife/SpeciesAtRisk/Default.aspx. As a result Fisheries Management Branch is required to produce recovery plans for the species, and work is underway. More information on these and other recovery initiatives may be found at http://srd.alberta.ca/FishWildlife/SpeciesAtRisk/RecoveryTeams.aspx. Management, conservation and recovery actions identified in the plans may have an impact on future sportfishing regulations, and anglers are encouraged to review the material provided.

Opportunities to increase harvest of naturalized Brook Trout populations in streams in ES3 are being considered for implementation in 2013 to support the conservation and recovery objectives identified by the Alberta Athabasca Rainbow Trout Recovery Team for native rainbow trout populations.

Please forward regulation suggestions to: Fisheries Management Branch Alberta Sustainable Resource Development Great West Life Building 9920 108 Street Edmonton, Alberta T5K 2M4 Email: srd.infocent@gov.ab.ca

Online Licensing - Things you should know.
Go to albertarelm.com to purchase your licence online.

ONLINE PURCHASES

What do I need in order to purchase an online licence?
You will need a valid credit card, an email address, access to a computer with an Internet connection and a printer to print your licences. If you do not have an email address, free addresses are available through Internet service providers or free email services such as hotmail and Gmail.

Credit cards accepted are Visa, MasterCard and American Express.

What does it cost to buy an online licence?
Your online licence will cost the same as a licence purchased at your local licence issuer. The cost varies according to the type of licence you buy. There are no added service fees.

What are the technical requirements for my computer for online purchases?
Your internet browser should use Microsoft Internet Explorer Version 6.0 or newer or Firefox Version 3.5 or higher. To print your licence, you will require Adobe Acrobat Reader Version 8 or higher. Adobe Acrobat is available as a free download once you are connected to the Internet.

Is there someone I can call if I have problems when I try to purchase a licence?
You can call the RELM Help Desk (1-888-944-5494 toll free) for assistance. The hours of operation are:

Monday-Wednesday 9:00 AM-6:00 PM
Thursday, Friday 9:00 AM-9:00 PM
Saturday 9:00 AM-5:00 PM
Sunday 10:00 AM-3:00 PM

You can also send email inquiries to drawhunt@ca.ibm.com

How do I know my information is secure?
Your Internet browser will indicate that you are operating on a secure server. The URL of the website will begin with an "https" rather than "http" and there will be a closed padlock on the status bar.

Albertarelm is protected using a secure Internet service known as Verisign. The information you enter is transmitted using a Secure Socket Layer (SSL) of communications.

Your credit card information is encrypted for added security. Your credit card number will not be stored in our database.

PURCHASE YOUR LICENCE ONLINE AT ALBERTARELM.COM

Previously purchased a licence online?
Enter your WIN and the password you selected when you registered the first time.
Forgot your password? Click on the button to re-register.

First time purchase on albertarelm.com
Register your WIN the first time you access your personal information.

1. Enter your WIN (10 digits)
   
2. Enter the identification number you provided when you applied for your WIN. This would be your driver’s licence number, health care number or passport number. This is a security measure to ensure only you can access your personal information. Your WIN and your identification number are used to verify your identity. This will prevent anyone else from logging in and accessing your personal information.
   
3. Enter a password (of your choice) and your email address. If you have any problems, contact the RELM Help Desk at 1-888-944-5494 (toll free).

Need a WIN card and licence?
If you do not have a WIN, you can obtain it online. Immediately after purchasing your WIN, you will be able to purchase your licence.

WEBSITE AVAILABLE FOR WIN CARDHOLDERS

The website albertarelm.com for WIN cardholders is funded by anglers and hunters from a portion of the WIN renewal fee. As a WIN cardholder you can go online and view your licence history records for the last five years and purchase all your fishing and hunting licences. Anglers can also add or change their e-mail addresses at albertarelm.com. The e-mail address will only be used by Sustainable Resource Development for resource management purposes such as sending licenced outdoorsmen and women new and current information.

Before you go do you know?

1. The name of the water body you wish to fish?
2. The Watershed Unit of the water body you wish to fish?
3. The 3 locations to find rules for the water body you wish to fish?
     a) Provincewide regulations
     b) The regulations for the Watershed Unit for the water body you wish to fish
     c) Specific regulations for the water body you wish to fish
4. If bait can be used in the water you wish to fish?
5. What bait is (click here for details)?
6. The game fish that you wish to fish for? For the specific waters:
     a) The size length?
     b) How many fish you can keep?
     c) The difference between catch limit and maximum possession (click here for details)?
7. How to identify the fish species you are fishing for (click here for details)
     a) Bull Trout?
     b) Brook Trout?
8. That all Bull Trout and Lake Sturgeon are protected and must be returned alive to the waters they are caught from?
9. How to safely return fish to the water (click here for details)?
10. All hooks used in Alberta must be barbless (click here for details)?
11. You are required to carry your valid Alberta Sportfishing Licence while sportfishing?

If you answered NO to any of the above questions please review the Alberta Guide to Sportfishing Regulations or contact your local Fish and Wildlife Division Office. Click here for a list of offices.

Please bring your WIN card!
Please bring your card when you purchase licences.
The plastic WIN card allows the licence issuer to provide you with faster, more efficient service.