OTHER INFORMATION
Sport Fish of Alberta / Trout Identification / Bull Trout Identification / Dioxin and Furan Contamination / Mercury Contamination /
Report-A-Pocher / Free Fishing Weekends
Trout Identification
The following illustrates important characteristics for identifying common trout species. Alberta’s Fish Identification web site is found at srd.alberta.ca or mywildalberta.com.
Trout (true trout and char) - rayless fleshy lope on back
behind dorsal fin (adipose fin)
and small scales on body
|
TROUT - BLACK SPOTS ON SIDES |
Brown Trout 
- pale haloes around black spots
|
Cuthroat Trout
- no haloes around black
spots and a red-orange
slash under the jaw
|
Rainbow Trout*
- no haloes around black
spots and no red-orange
slash under the jaw
|
CHAR - NO BLACK SPOTS ON SIDES |
Bull Trout
- no spots or markings
on dorsal fin
|
Lake Trout
- pale spots on dorsal fin
and tail deeply forked
|
Brook Trout
- black markings on dorsal fin
and tail not deeply forked
|
*Golden trout - resemble rainbow trout, but black spots on sides mainly near tail
(only occurs in a few high mountain lakes).
|
Bull Trout Identification
NO BLACK PUT IT BACK!
Bull trout populations in Alberta declined mainly because of overharvest by anglers. No bull trout caught in any waters may be kept. If you catch a bull trout, release it immediately. You will be helping the recovery of this important native fish. Remember, the bull trout is our official provincial fish emblem. Study the pictures below and learn how to recognize bull trout.
Bull trout have no black spots on their dorsal fin.
BULL TROUT - NO BLACK SPOTS ON DORSAL FIN |
|
BROOK TROUT - BLACK SPOTS ON DORSAL FIN |
|
Warning! Contamination in Fish
Dioxin and Furan Contamination in Fish
Dioxin and Furan
Dioxins and furans are toxic substances. Sources of these substances are air-borne fly ash from the burning of organic materials and waste water discharged from industrial sites such as pulp and paper mills. Dioxins and furans are mainly stored in the fatty tissues of fish such as the liver, and stored in fish fillets at a low level.
The levels of dioxins and furans in some species of fish in certain Alberta rivers and lakes are above the levels considered safe for human consumption by Health Canada. Alberta Sustainable Resource Development has compiled the following fish consumption advisory for fish from water bodies that have been exposed to dioxins and furans. This advisory is based on the guidelines and standards for fish consumption set by Health Canada.
For more information on dioxins/furans-related fish consumption advisories, please contact Alberta Health and Wellness at (780) 427-1470.
Fish Consumption Advisory (Dioxins and Furans)
The following consumption guidelines are recommended for the fish species from the identified water bodies.
Athabasca River Drainage |
Fish Consumption Guidlines
|
Swan Hills — all waters within a 20-km radius of the Swan Hills Waste Treatment Centre. |
Brook trout — do not eat more than one meal of these fish per week. |
Athabasca River upstream of Iron Point
(5-75-18-W4) |
Burbot (Ling) — only fillet portions should be eaten; organs should be discarded. |
Peace River Drainage |
Fish Consumption Guidelines |
Wapiti River, Cutbank River, Kakwa River, Smoky River and Little Smoky River and their tributaries. |
Burbot (Ling) — only fillet portions should be eaten; organs should be discarded. |
Smoky River and its tributaries downstream from the bridge on Hwy 40 near Grande Cache. |
Mountain Whitefish – the ban on consumption has been lifted for everyone except pregnant women and young children. Others should not eat more than four - 4 oz. servings (four - 113 gram servings) per week. |
Wapiti River, Cutbank River and Simonette River and their tributaries. |
Kakwa River and its tributaries downstream from Porcupine Flats. |
Little Smoky River and its tributaries downstream from Tony Creek. |
NOTE: The fillet portion of the following fish species have been tested and consumption guidelines are not required: rainbow trout, lake whitefish, arctic grayling, walleye, northern pike and goldeye.
Mercury Contamination in Fish
Mercury
Health Canada has set fish consumption guidelines based on the concentration of mercury in fish tissue, and on the human body’s ability to eliminate mercury at a slow rate. In Alberta, most mercury accumulations in fish appear to come from natural sources in soils and sediments.
Mercury can be passed through the food chain and become concentrated in fish-eating species such as Northern Pike and Walleye. Where mercury is present, the larger fish generally have higher concentrations in the liver, kidney and muscle.
For detailed information about mercury-related fish consumption advisories, please contact Alberta Health and Wellness at (780) 427-4518.
Fish Consumption Advisory (Mercury)
(1) When mercury levels in fish exceed the guideline of 0.5 ppm, women of child-bearing age and children under 11 year should avoid eating fish as listed in the table indicated as (
), and healthy adults may eat limited amounts of fish as listed in the table below.
(2) When mercury levels in fish are between 0.1 and 0.5 ppm, women of child-bearing age and children under 11 years may eat limited amounts of fish and healthy adults may eat unlimited amount of fish as listed in the table below.
Recommended Fish Consumption Limits
in Fish Species in Alberta Water Bodies |
WE-Walleye, SG-Sauger, NP-Northern Pike,
GE-Goldeye, BB-Burbot, EB-East Brook Trout |
Consumption Limit
(grams per week) |
| Water body |
Species |
Women of Childbearing and Children 1-11 yrs. |
Healthy Adults |
Athabasca River |
WE |
|
75 |
Bow River (below Bassano Dam) |
WE, NP |
|
75 |
Chrystina (Windy) Lake (67-8-W-5) |
EB |
|
|
Edith Lake (13-67-10-W5) |
EB |
|
75 |
Edwards Lake (75-9-W4) |
NP |
|
75 |
Helena Lake (66-11-W4) |
WE, NP |
|
75 |
Hilda Lake (63-3-W4) |
WE, NP |
|
75 |
Ironwood Lake (65-11-W4) |
WE, NP |
|
75 |
Lac La Nonne (57-3-W5) |
WE, NP |
|
400 |
Lac Ste. Anne* |
see below for consumption guidelines |
Moose Lake (61-7-W4) |
WE, NP |
|
75 |
Muskwa Lake (82-4-W5) |
WE, NP |
|
75 |
North Saskatchewan River
(including Keephills Pond) |
WE, NP, SG, GE |
|
75 |
Oldman River |
WE, SG, GE |
|
75 |
Red Deer River (below Dickson Dam) |
WE, NP |
|
75 |
South Saskatchewan River |
WE, NP, SG, GE, BB |
|
75 |
Willow Creek (29-9-25-W4) |
NP |
|
75 |
* Lac Ste. Anne: Women of Child-bearing age - 700 grams/week, Children 1-4 yrs - 150 grams/week, Children 5-11 yrs - 300 grams/week, Healthy Adult - unlimited
Note: One Canada Food Guide Serving: 75 grams, 1/2 cup, or 2.5 oz.
Recommended Fish Consumption Limits
(1)
Recommended Fish Comsumption Limits for the Pine Coulee and Twin Valley Reservoirs, Southern Alberta
| Water Body |
Species |
Fish Size
(lb)* Over |
Consumption Limit
(serving/week)** |
| Women |
Child
1-4yr |
Child
5-11yr |
Adult + |
| Pine Coulee Resevoir |
Walleye |
1 |
avoid |
avoid |
avoid |
5 |
| Northern Pike |
1 |
8 |
2 |
4 |
no limit |
| Twin Valley Resevoir |
Northern Pike |
2 |
avoid |
avoid |
avoid |
5 |
| Willow Creek |
Northern Pike |
2 |
4 |
1 |
2 |
no limit |
| Burbot |
1 |
4 |
1 |
2 |
no limit |
Little Bow River
(downstream of Twin Valley Resevoir) |
Northern Pike |
2 |
2 |
0.5 |
1 |
8 |
Little Bow River
(upstream of Twin Valley Resevoir) |
Northern Pike |
2 |
4 |
1 |
2 |
no limit |
*1 lb = 454 grams. **1 serving = 75 grams, 1/2 cup, 2.5 ounces, or a piece of cooked fish that fits into the palm of your hand.
"Women" refers to women of child-bearing age (15-49 yr) and pregnant women.
"Adult+" includes adults anf child over 12 yr. |
(2) Recommended Fish Consumption Limits for the RAMP area, Northeast Alberta
| Water Body |
Species |
Fish Size
(lb)* Over |
Consumption Limit
(serving/week)** |
| Women |
Child
1-4 yr |
Child
5-11 yr |
Adult + |
Athabasca River
(downstream Ft. McMurray) |
Walleye |
2 |
2 |
0.5 |
1 |
8 |
| Clearwater River |
Walleye |
2 |
2 |
0.5 |
1 |
8 |
| Northern Pike |
2 |
8 |
2 |
4 |
no limit |
| Muskeg River |
Northern Pike |
2 |
8 |
2 |
4 |
no limit |
| Christina Lake |
Walleye |
4 |
2 |
0.5 |
1 |
8 |
| Northern Pike |
8 |
2 |
0.5 |
1 |
8 |
| Gregoire Lake |
Walleye |
2 |
8 |
2 |
4 |
no limit |
| Northern Pike |
2 |
8 |
2 |
4 |
no limit |
| Winefred Lake |
Walleye |
3 |
8 |
2 |
4 |
no limit |
| Namur Lake |
Lake Whitefish |
4 |
2 |
0.5 |
1 |
8 |
*1 lb = 454 grams. **1 serving = 75 grams, 1/2 cup, 2.5 ounces, or a piece of cooked fish that fits into the palm of your hand.
"Women" refers to women of child-bearing age (15-49 yr) and pregnant women.
"Adult+" includes adults anf child over 12 yr. |
(3) Recommended Fish Consumption Limits for Water Bodies, Southern Alberta
| Water Body |
Species |
Fish Size
(lb)* Over |
Consumption Limit
(serving/week)** |
| Women |
Child
1-4 yr |
Child
5-11 yr |
Adult + |
Red Deer River
(downstream at the mouth of the Blindman River) |
Walleye |
3 |
avoid |
avoid |
avoid |
5 |
| Northern Pike |
3 |
4 |
1 |
2 |
no limit |
| Mountain Whitefish |
2 |
8 |
2 |
4 |
no limit |
South Saskatchewan River
(Bindloss Ferry and Medicine Hat) |
Walleye |
2 |
avoid |
avoid |
avoid |
5 |
| Sauger |
1 |
avoid |
avoid |
avoid |
8 |
| Goldeye |
1 |
avoid |
avoid |
avoid |
5 |
| Northern Pike |
3 |
4 |
1 |
2 |
no limit |
| Lake Whitefish |
2 |
8 |
2 |
4 |
no limit |
Oldmsn River
(downstream Lethbridge - weir and Paradise Canyon) |
Northern Pike |
3 |
4 |
1 |
2 |
no limit |
| Milk River Ridge Resevoir |
Walleye |
3 |
2 |
0.5 |
1 |
8 |
| Northern Pike |
3 |
4 |
1 |
2 |
no limit |
| Lake Whitefish |
2 |
8 |
2 |
4 |
no limit |
| Lake Newell |
Walleye |
3 |
2 |
0.5 |
1 |
8 |
| Northern Pike |
3 |
4 |
1 |
2 |
no limit |
| Lake Whitefish |
2 |
8 |
2 |
4 |
no limit |
| Keho Lake |
Walleye |
3 |
2 |
0.5 |
1 |
8 |
| Northern Pike |
3 |
4 |
1 |
2 |
no limit |
| Pine Lake |
Walleye |
3 |
2 |
0.5 |
1 |
8 |
| Northern Pike |
3 |
4 |
1 |
2 |
no limit |
*1 lb = 454 grams. **1 serving = 75 grams, 1/2 cup, 2.5 ounces, or a piece of cooked fish that fits into the palm of your hand.
"Women" refers to women of child-bearing age (15-49 yr) and pregnant women.
"Adult+" includes adults anf child over 12 yr. |
Report-A-Poacher
Alberta Conservation Association’s REPORT A POACHER program provides Albertans with the opportunity to report suspected violations using a toll-free number:
1-800-642-3800 or #3800 on the TELUS Mobility network (courtesy TELUS Mobility). The line is in operation 24 hours a day, 7 days a week.
Fishing or hunting out of season, night hunting, exceeding bag limits, illegal sale of fish and wildlife and deposit of harmful substances in lakes and rivers are violations that seriously affect fish and wildlife in Alberta. If you see or know of a violation, you should record all information, including
- date
- time
- location
- vehicle licence number
- vehicle description
- description of person(s) involved
- details of violation, and any other details, no matter how insignificant they may seem. You should then contact the nearest Fish and Wildlife Division office or call 1-800-642-3800 as soon as possible.
If the information provided concerns a resource violation and results in the laying of a charge, the reporter may be eligible for a reward. If you have any questions about this program, please contact the nearest Fish and Wildlife Division office.
Notice to Anglers
To assist with the management of Alberta's fish resources and to ensure compliance with regulations, anglers will be checked at water bodies, recreational areas and road checkpoints throughout Alberta. |
Free Fishing Weekends
National Fishing Week July 4-12, 2009
Canada’s National Fishing Week in 2009 is scheduled for July 4-12.
Alberta has teamed with other provincial, territorial and federal governments and private partners to promote the enjoyment and tradition of sportfishing. For more information please contact your local office of the Fish and Wildlife Division.
FREE Fishing Weekends July 11-12, 2009 & February 13-15, 2010
To encourage folks to give fishing a try, any person may fish without an Alberta Sportfishing Licence on these dates but they must follow all other rules and regulations as outlined in this guide. These weekends coincide with Canada’s National Fishing Week and Alberta Family Day.
