2018 ANGLERS' GUIDE MANITOBAFISHERIES.COM 2 | www.manitobafisheries.com As Minister of Sustainable Development, I’d like to Contents welcome you to another year of angling in Manitoba. What’s New for 2018 ................................................................... 2 Our province is fortunate to have an abundance of Possible Changes ......................................................................... 2 natural resources and countless opportunities for Licences ........................................................................................ 3 angling. Manitoba is the place to be whether you want Fees .......................................................................................... 3 to fish or simply enjoy the great outdoors. Exemptions .............................................................................. 3 Outlets ..................................................................................... 3 Recreational angling continues to grow in Manitoba, General Regulations .................................................................... 3 with more than 190,000 Manitobans and visitors to Fishing Methods ..................................................................... 3 our province participating in this popular recreational Barbless Hooks ....................................................................... 3 activity. Angling and Ice Fishing .......................................................... 3 Our government is committed to working with anglers to ensure the long- Ice Fishing Shelters ................................................................. 3 term sustainability of our fisheries. Angling has a long history in Manitoba Fish Remains ........................................................................... 4 and plays a significant role in our outdoor heritage. All Manitobans and Bait ........................................................................................... 4 visitors to our province must work together to ensure Manitoba’s valuable Aquatic Invasive Species ........................................................ 4 fisheries remain a source of pride for generations to come. Dip Netting, Cast Netting, Seining, and Minnow Trapping ..... 4 Spear Fishing ........................................................................... 4 The Manitoba government is taking steps toward achieving this goal by Bow Fishing ............................................................................. 4 implementing new conservation measures to protect walleye stocks in Holding and Releasing Fish ................................................... 4 Lake Winnipeg. We recognize the value of walleye in Lake Winnipeg and the Competitive Fishing Events .................................................... 4 tremendous local economic benefits associated with maintaining healthy fish Buying and Selling Fish .......................................................... 4 populations. Fishways (Fish Ladders) ......................................................... 5 I invite all Manitobans and visitors to our province to experience the many Handling, Transport and Storage of Fish .............................. 5 diverse and quality angling opportunities Manitoba has to offer. Please Border Waters ......................................................................... 5 explore this guide for important information on angling regulations and Limits ............................................................................................ 5 programs that will help you plan your angling adventures in 2018. Fishing Divisions Map and Seasons ........................................... 8 Southern Division Regulations ................................................... 8 Have a safe and enjoyable angling season! Northwest Division Regulations ............................................... 13 North Central Division Regulations .......................................... 14 Honourable Rochelle Squires Northeast Division Regulations ................................................ 14 Minister, Sustainable Development Status Indian Information ......................................................... 15 Manitoba Sustainable Development Offices ........................... 15 Common Manitoba Fish Species .............................................. 16 Master Angler Application .........................................................17 Possible Changes Regulations are also available online at www.manitobafisheries.com. The following possible regulation changes are listed a year in advance to New regulations are in bold type. give anglers a chance to express their opinions. To comment on these possible changes, email: [email protected] or call (204) 945-6640. • Athapapuskow Lake – the south end is closed to all fishing from September What’s New for 2018 15 to and including October 11 (floating date). The regulations in this guide are in effect on April 1, 2018. The following • Clearwater Lake - the west side is closed to all fishing from September 15 to regulations are new for 2018. and including October 11 (floating date), on a line northeast from the end of • Oak Lake - walleye limit is 4 and all walleye shorter than 35 cm must be Spawn Camp Point to the west side of the inlet of Pike Bay. released. • Beaver Lake (Duck Mountains) - remove from the stocked trout waters list. • Little Jackfish Lake - walleye limit is 4 and all walleye shorter than 35 cm • In the Southern Division – no limit for yellow perch in stocked trout waters. must be released. • Naosap Lake – walleye limit is 4. • Ditch (Gertrude) Lake - walleye limit is 4 and all walleye shorter than 35 cm • Goose River will be added to the stocked trout waters list. must be released. • Booster Lake – walleye limit is 4. • In the Southern Division - all lake trout must be released between • Big Whiteshell Lake – cisco limit is 6 and only one may exceed 45 cm. September 15 to and including October 31. • In the Southern Division (Western Region only) – Walleye limit is 4 and all • Bloodvein River from the mouth upstream to Meekisiwi Rapids – closed to walleye shorter than 35 cm must be released in the area south of highway #5 all fishing from April 2 to and including May 11. from the Saskatchewan border east to St. Rose du Lac, including all waterbodies • Bradbury River – closed to all fishing from April 2 to and including May 11. west of highway #5 south to Neepawa, including all waterbodies south of • Pigeon River from the mouth upstream to Sturgeon Falls – closed to all highway #16 east to Gladstone and including all waterbodies west of highway #34 fishing from April 2 to and including May 11. south to the US border, excluding the Assiniboine River, Lake Wahtopanah and • Berens River from the mouth upstream to Sturgeon Falls, including the the Little Saskatchewan River upstream to Riding Mountain National Park, Etonami River upstream to Makik Falls and the North Etonami River including Rapid City Reservoir and Minnedosa Lake, Lake of the Prairies and upstream to Miskomapinna Rapids – closed to all fishing from April 2 to and Dauphin Lake tributaries. including May 11. • Waterhen Lake, Waterhen River, and all tributaries, including West Waterhen River, Little Waterhen River, and Snake River - walleye limit is 4. All pike over Pending Changes 75 cm must be released. The following changes fall under the Fisheries Act of Canada and require • Lake Winnipeg – anglers may retain only 1 walleye longer than 70 cm federal approval prior to becoming law. per year. Licence holders who catch and retain one of these fish must immediately record the date on the back of their licence. • West Blue Lake will be added to the stocked trout waters list. • Glad Lake - all arctic char must be released. Only 1 pike may exceed 75 cm. • Tees Lake will be added to the stocked trout waters list. • Elgin Reservoir will be added to the stocked trout waters list. Front Cover – Miles holding a walleye from the Winnipeg River. • Lac du Bonnet Ponds - no motors, except electric motors, may be used. www.manitobafisheries.com | 3 LICENCE OUTLETS Licences are sold at most hardware and sporting goods stores, fishing Licence Fees (includes GST) centres, and lodges. Not all vendors carry nonresident licences and many Conservation Regular do not have licences during winter. Resident Senior Licences may also be bought by Mastercard®, Visa® or by mail. Call (Manitobans 65 and over) ....Free .........................See Resident 1-800-214-6497 or send a cheque or money order for the appropriate regular licence licence fee (payable to Minister of Finance) to The Cashier, Manitoba Resident Sustainable Development, 200 Saulteaux Crescent, Winnipeg, Manitoba, (Manitobans age 16-64) ........$19.20 .....................$25.10 R3J 3W3. Include first name, surname, and initials; full address; day, Canadian Resident month, and year of birth, sex of licensee, and email address. (age 16 and over) ...........$28.00 .....................$47.65 Nonresident General Regulations (age 16 and over) ...........$37.85 ......................$62.35 Recreational fishing in Manitoba is governed by regulations made under The Provincial Fisheries Act and the Fisheries Act of Canada. This guide provides a summary of those regulations. The actual regulations in force, not necessarily those in this guide, shall apply. Regulations other than those under the Fisheries Act of Canada may also apply while fishing, e.g. regarding Aquatic Invasive Species, the use of boats, motors, Angling Licences vehicles,