Length – The total (maximum) length of a fish is measured from the tip of the nose or jaw to the tip of the caudal fin, with the tail trapped. NOTE: Fishers should only consider whether a fish is longer or shorter than the specified legal length. It is better to immediately release the fish close to the legal length, rather than subjecting them to additional handling to perform a more accurate measurement. The length of the fish is measured without taking into account the curvature of the body. Place the fish on a flat surface on the meter. If you place the counter on the curvature of the body, you will get an inaccurate measurement. It`s a good idea to have a fish measurement board. The illegal fish trade threatens our fish stocks and is a serious offence. report illegal activities (see A-Poacher Report). Unless authorized by license; Fish caught in any way may not be sold, bought, exchanged or exchanged.

They must, without exception, immediately release any fish that cannot be lawfully kept because of the species, catch limitations, size limits or other regulations, even if the fish is injured or dead. When the fish is alive, you need to release it in such a way as to cause as little damage to the fish as possible. Examples of prohibited fish include: Encounters with bears can occur at any time, but fishermen should be especially vigilant. Streams, rivers, and lake shores are convenient travel corridors for wildlife, and the sound of moving water can mask the noise that usually warns animals of your approach. To learn more about Alberta bears and how to be BearSmart, visit www.bearsmart.alberta.ca Bait includes, but is not limited to: corn, cheese, marshmallows, meat, maggots, mealworms, earthworms, wax worms, gammarus shrimp, leeches, terrestrial insects, larvae, pupae, or adults of aquatic insects (for example, stone fly, mayfly, caddisfly), baitfish, fish parts, fish eggs, fragrant bait, powerful bait and any additives, smell or flavor artificial baits and baits. The ban on bait means that only unscented bait can be used. In some streams, only maggots can be used as bait at certain times of the year so that fishermen can fish for mountain whites that have less impact on trout populations. In some lakes, only maggots and mealworms can be used as bait so that fishermen can fish for perch and sea whites with less impact on pike populations.

A bait is a spoon, cap, jig, fly or other such device that consists only of feathers, fibers, rubber, wood, metal, plastic or similar materials and does not attract fish by smell or taste. Baitfish may be used in waters where there are no bait bans or baitfish restrictions. Where fishing with baitfish is not allowed, other baits such as smelt, herring, gammarus shrimp and dead fish eggs (e.g. preserved “salmon eggs”) may be used. Baitfish means one of the following: suction cups (family Catostomidae), sticklebacks (family Gasterosteidae), largemouth bass (Percopsis omiscomaycus), Iowa stinger (Etheostoma exile), elritzen (family Cyprinidae), and the exceptions are that NO carp, goldfish and western silver Elnow can be used as bait. No person may use fish as bait, except the dead baitfish listed above, dead smelt, dead herring, dead shrimp, dead fish eggs or the skin, fins or eyes of wild fish caught by fishing. Note: Smelt and herring belong to the saltwater families Osmeridae and Clupeidae. Cisco, also called Tullibee or sea herring, belong to the Coregonidae family and the use of all fish as bait is prohibited. Because Cisco is classified as a wild fish, Cisco`s skin, fins or eyes caught legally by fishing can be used as similar bait to other wild fish. Fish (with the exception of dead mints, herring, gammarus shrimp and fish eggs) or crabs purchased from pet stores may not be used as bait. Wild fish parts: Only the skin, fins, eyes and dead eggs of wild fish can be used as bait, provided that these fish have been legally caught by fishing. The skin, fins, eyes and dead eggs of wild fish may be used where the use of baitfish is prohibited, but may not be used where bait bans are in force.

All wild fish kept must be counted within the daily catch limit, including all fish, parts of which are used as bait. Sport fishing is an important part of Canadian culture and can be a fun and healthy outdoor experience for people of all ages. Fish is an excellent source of lean protein and provides essential nutrients such as omega-3 fatty acids, zinc, iron, selenium and vitamins A, C and D. Despite the health benefits associated with eating fish, in some parts of Alberta, various types of fish can be exposed to mercury and other contaminants that, when consumed in large quantities, can affect human health. Methylmercury is the most toxic form of mercury. It is formed by natural biological processes in water and sediments of other forms of mercury present in the environment. Pollutants accumulate in adipose tissue and are persistent in fish, especially in large predatory fish. Since the 1990s, the Government of Alberta has issued fish consumption recommendations for fish caught in local Alberta waters. Alberta Health and Wellness`s Chief Medical Officer of Health is responsible for providing advice on food consumption.

The fish consumption guidelines apply to local subsistence consumers, recreational fishermen and local residents who eat fish in these waters. These tips inform the public of the possible health hazards they may encounter when eating certain species of fish. Counselling helps local fish consumers make informed decisions about what to eat safely. Search for “Fish Consumption Notice” in mywildalberta.ca for more information, or download the “Should I Eat This Fish” app on your mobile phone. It is illegal to own a gaff or gaff hook when fishing in Alberta. In this guide, the word limit refers to the number of fish you are allowed to keep or have in your possession. As described below, you must not exceed the daily catch limit in the waters caught or possess more fish than the maximum possession. Release of live fish – If the fish you catch has a legal species and size, you immediately decide to keep or release it as part of your daily catch limit. Fish kept on a stringer or well of life are considered restrained and are part of your limit.

See pages 22 and 25 for more details on the release of fish. Possession – While a person is fishing, a fish is considered to be kept (in possession) if it is not immediately released into the waters from which it was caught. Daily catch limit – The number of fish you are allowed to keep in a day while fishing is equal to the limit indicated for each species or group of species on the lake or stream that are caught, including any fish eaten or donated on that day. If you fish in a lake or stream, you cannot have more fish than the border or fish other than the legal size in your possession indicated for the lake or stream caught. Maximum possession – All fish from a lake or watercourse, from a river basin district, are part of the maximum possession that must not be exceeded.