2 | www.manitobafisheries.com Whether you live here or you are a visitor to Manitoba, I’m pleased to invite you to experience the exceptional fishing opportunities our Contents province offers. Fishing is a great way to spend What’s New for 2015 ...................................................................... 2 time with family and friends, creating memories Possible Changes ........................................................................... 2 to last a lifetime. Manitoba’s abundant fisheries Licences .......................................................................................... 3 resource provides diverse and quality fishing Fees ....................................................................................... 3 opportunities throughout the province and Exemptions ........................................................................... 3 generates over $200 million in direct and indirect Outlets .................................................................................. 3 expenditures to our economy. General Regulations ....................................................................... 3 Under TomorrowNow – Manitoba’s Green Plan, my department Fishing Methods ................................................................... 3 established the new Fish and Wildlife Enhancement Fund to support Barbless Hooks ..................................................................... 3 fisheries enhancement initiatives. The fund, supported through Angling and Ice Fishing ........................................................ 3 proceeds from licence sales, represents an important investment in Ice Fishing Shelters .............................................................. 3 our resources and Manitoba’s fish hatchery system. Fish Remains ........................................................................ 4 I recently had the privilege of announcing the Walleye as Manitoba’s Bait ........................................................................................ 4 Official Provincial Fish. Walleye (also known locally as pickerel) are Dip Netting, Seining, and Minnow Trapping ...................... 4 found throughout our province and represent an important part of Spear Fishing ........................................................................ 4 Manitoba’s rich fishing heritage. Among the most prized freshwater fish found anywhere, the Walleye is a natural choice to highlight our Bow Fishing .......................................................................... 4 superb fisheries resource on the provincial, national and Holding and Releasing Fish ................................................. 4 international stage. Competitive Fishing Events ................................................. 4 Buying and Selling Fish ........................................................ 4 This year, Manitoba will participate once again in the national Survey Fishways (Fish Ladders) ....................................................... 4 of Recreational Fishing in Canada. The survey, conducted every five years, provides important fish harvest information and tells us how Handling, Transport and Storage ........................................ 4 that harvest affects Manitoba’s economy. The survey will select Border Waters ....................................................................... 5 individual anglers at random to participate. If you are selected, I Limits .............................................................................................. 5 encourage you to complete the survey to the best of your ability. The Fishing Divisions Map and Seasons ............................................. 8 information you provide will be indispensable in helping to maintain Southern Division Regulations ...................................................... 8 our fisheries resources in the best shape possible for the future. Northwest Division Regulations ................................................. 13 Please explore this guide for important information about fishing North Central Division Regulations ............................................ 14 regulations and programs that will help you plan your fishing Northeast Division Regulations .................................................. 14 adventures in 2015. Status Indian Information ............................................................ 15 Let’s make this the best fishing year yet! Manitoba Conservation and Water Stewardship Offices ........... 15 Common Manitoba Fish Species ................................................ 16 Gord Mackintosh, Minister Master Angler Application ........................................................... 17 Conservation and Water Stewardship Regulations are also available online at www.manitobafisheries.com. New regulations are in bold type. What’s New For 2015 Possible Changes The regulations in this guide are in effect on April 1, 2015. The following proposed regulation changes are listed a year in advance The following regulations are new for 2015. to give anglers a chance to express their opinions. To comment on these • On Wallace Lake, Siderock Lake, and Obukowin Lake, walleye limit is 4. proposed changes, e-mail: [email protected] or call (204) 945-6640. • On Lake Irwin, pike limit is 4 and all pike over 75 cm must be released. • On Cuddle Lake and Pritchard Lake add to High Quality Management • On Whitefish Lake (in the Porcupine Forest) including the Marina Lagoon, and single barbless hooks. North Creek and Whitefish Creek, walleye limit is 2 and all walleye between • On Atik Lake, walleye limit is 4. 45 cm and 70 cm must be released. All pike over 75 cm must be released. North Creek closed to all fishing from April 1 to and including June 1. • On Goudney Reservoir, walleye limit is 4 and all walleye shorter than 35 cm must be released. • On Rice Lake, walleye limit is 4. • On Shoe Lake, smallmouth bass provincial limits apply. • On Mary Jane Reservoir, walleye limit is 4 and all walleye shorter than 35 cm must be released. Black crappie limit is 4. • On Tooth Lake, smallmouth bass provincial limits apply. • On Pelican Lake, all walleye shorter than 35 cm must be released. • On Horseshoe Lake, smallmouth bass provincial limits apply. • On Crowduck Lake, all smallmouth bass over 40 cm must be released. • On Garner Lake, Gem Lake, Flintstone Lake, Black Lake, and Long Lake, walleye limit is 4. • In Duck Mountain Provincial Park and Porcupine Provincial Forest, all trout smaller than 35 cm must be released, except those caught in streams. • In the Southern Division, the general angling closure is changed from • On Verrall Lake, walleye limit is 2 and all walleye between 45 cm and 70 cm April 1 to the end of spring break. must be released. • On Crowduck Lake, walleye limit is 2 and all walleye between • New Aquatic Invasive Species legislation and regulations under 45 cm and 70 cm must be released. The Water Protection Act. • West Blue Lake will be added to the stocked trout waters list. Front Cover – K. Friesen holding a walleye from Lake Athapapuskow www.manitobafisheries.com | 3 LICENCE OUTLETS Licence Fees (includes GST) Licences are sold at most hardware and sporting goods stores, fishing centres, and lodges. Not all vendors carry nonresident licences and many Conservation Regular do not have licences during winter. Resident Senior ® ® (Manitobans 65 and over) ....Free .........................See Resident Licences may also be bought by Mastercard , Visa or by mail. Call regular licence 1-800-214-6497 or send a cheque or money order for the appropriate Resident licence fee (payable to Minister of Finance) to The Cashier, Manitoba (Manitobans age 16-64) ........$19.20 .....................$25.10 Conservation and Water Stewardship, 200 Saulteaux Crescent, Winnipeg, Canadian Resident Manitoba, R3J 3W3. Include first name, surname, and initials; full (age 16 and over) ...........$28.00 .....................$47.65 address; day, month, and year of birth; and sex of licensee. Nonresident (age 16 and over) ...........$37.85 ......................$62.35 General Regulations 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 Angling Licences force, not necessarily those in this guide, shall apply. Regulations other All persons, except those exempted below, who engage in angling, dip than those under the Fisheries Act of Canada may also apply while fishing, netting, seining, minnow trapping, spear fishing, and bow fishing, must e.g. regarding the use of boats, motors, vehicles, etc. For more details have a Manitoba Angling Licence on their person. on regulations contact your local Manitoba Conservation and Water Stewardship Office (see page 15). Licences are valid from May 1, 2015 through April 30, 2016. Licences must be signed to be valid, and are not transferrable or refundable. If a licence NOTE: is lost another must be purchased. The time of licence validity has no • Open fires are prohibited in the Burning Permit Areas of Manitoba impact on season dates. See page 8 for general season dates. from April 1 to November 15, unless the fire is in an approved fire pit. Manitoba Resident Seniors If approved fire pits are not available, shore lunches and other meals A “Manitoba Resident Seniors Conservation Licence” is for seniors must be cooked over a camp stove. For more information on Burning (65 and over) who have