Alberta Fishing Regulations
Not legal advice. Compiled from official government summaries. Regulations change each year — always check the official source before relying.
General Rules (barbless hooks are the #1 cause of fines)
- ⚠ No province-wide barbless rule. Some waters have single-hook, lure-only or bait restrictions - check the watershed-unit table for the water you're fishing.
- ⚠ Walleye Special Harvest Licence: Class A (>50 cm) / B (43-50) / C (<43); max possession 12 with SHL, otherwise 3.
Species Limits
| Species | Limit | Size / Season |
|---|---|---|
| Trout (combined) | 5 in total combined | Bull Trout 0 (native); N. Dolly Varden 2; Golden Trout 1; Lake Trout 3; Cutthroat 5; Rainbow 5; Brown 5; Brook 5; Tiger 5 |
| Arctic Grayling | 0 | |
| Mountain Whitefish | 5 | |
| Walleye & Sauger | 3 (or up to 12 under Special Harvest Licence) | |
| Northern Pike | 3 | |
| Yellow Perch | 15 | |
| Lake Whitefish & Cisco | 10 combined | |
| Goldeye & Mooneye | 10 combined | |
| Burbot (Ling) | 10 | |
| Lake Sturgeon | 0 | |
| Non-game fish | No limit (includes sucker species) |
Seasons
Waterbody seasons listed per Watershed Unit (ES1-4, PP1-2, NB1-4) in the official guide.
Licence Fees
Resident $30; Non-res Canadian $62; Non-res outside Canada $87 (annual). Under 16 free.
Edition: 2026 Guide to Sportfishing Regulations · Effective: Apr 1, 2026 - Mar 31, 2027 · Source: Alberta Guide to Sportfishing Regulations (open.alberta.ca)
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