The Manitoba Wildlife Federation (MWF) is reminding anglers to be familiar with the new size and possession limits across the province when it comes to catching and keeping walleye.
For years anglers had a choice between two different possession limits; a general angling license or a conservation license. But that has now changed to one possession limit across the province when it comes to Manitoba’s most popular fish, walleye also known as pickerel.
All anglers are allowed four walleyes in their possession at any given time, and each fish must be less than 55 cm, or 21.65 inches long. It’s important to note these possession limits and size restrictions are general, provincial regulations, and apply to most Manitoba waters. However, a number of waters and fishing divisions in Manitoba have special, individual regulations. These exceptions and/or additions to the general regulations are found in the individual fishing divisions on pages 17-21, and 24-25 of the 2024 Manitoba Anglers’ Guide.
Unfortunately, there are still too many who are keeping oversized mature walleye, and more than their allowance of four.
“The Province did a lot of research and a lot of consultation with interest groups and they all agreed that we don’t want to be keeping those big fish,” explains MWF Recreational Angling Coordinator, Chase Dreilich. “We want to release those big fish in order to spawn and we want to maintain the quality fisheries that we have out there. So that strategy is all part of the long-term viability of the fishery while also trying to maintain the best use of it for today.”
Walleyes continue to grow in size as they grow older, and older walleyes are more prominent, which means they carry more eggs and contribute considerably to repopulating their habitat. On average, a 4-5-year-old walleye is around 18-22 inches (45.7-55.8 cm) long which is why we should avoid trying to catch and keep walleyes larger than 18 inches (45.7 cm). Besides, the best tasting walleye are between 14-18 inches long (35.5-45.7 cm).
“Those bigger fish are capable of spawning up to 100,000 eggs each year and that’s what we really hope for all our walleye lakes is to have some good spawning stock in them, and that’s what we want to keep having as well,” adds Dreilich. “And so, protecting those larger fish is really a huge goal of these fishing regulations.”
Recreational fishing in Manitoba is governed by regulations made under The Provincial Fisheries Act and the Fisheries Act of Canada. The Manitoba Anglers’ Guide provides a summary of those regulations. The Guide shares a wealth of information that all should know before throwing their hook into and waterbody in Manitoba!
‘Manitoba Conservation Officers play an important educational role in relation to angling regulations. Officers check anglers on a regular basis and also conduct roadside checkstops. To help make your angling experience enjoyable, please be aware of Manitoba’s angling and Aquatic Invasive Species (AIS) regulations,’ states the Guidebook.
The following are some set, ticketable fines for common angling and AIS offences. Fines may be higher depending on the severity and/or frequency of the offences. Restitution will apply to those who are convicted of illegally removing fish from the environment.
- Using barbed hooks …………………………………………..$52
- Fishing without a licence…………………………………. $298
- Over limit…………………………………………………. $102 plus
- Transport live fish away from the water …………. $486
- Unattended line………………………………………………….$52
- Failure to carry your licence while fishing…………$174
- Possession of crayfish……………………………… $102
- plus Bringing into Manitoba live bait……………………….$202
- Possession of AIS (e.g. zebra mussels)……………….$1,296
- Failure to dispose bait used in an AIS Control Zone ……………………$672
For the full Anglers Guide for Manitoba 2024 visit the Manitoba government website.