Manitoba Fishery Regulations Updated

Summary#

The federal regulations known as the Manitoba Fishery Regulations, 1987 were amended by SOR/2023-28 to align with Manitoba’s new fishing plan. The changes update who can fish, fishing seasons, daily and possession limits, size rules, some methods of fishing, and ice‑shelter rules. The amendments took effect on April 1, 2023.

What it does#

• Licences and identity

  • Lets anglers carry an angling licence electronically.
  • Removes the need to sign recreational licences.
  • Changes the definition of a resident of Manitoba (must live in Manitoba at least 6 consecutive months in the past 12 months).

• Daily limits and size rules (baseline changes)

  • Reduces the daily/possession limit for walleye and sauger from 6 to 4 per day.
  • Reduces lake trout from 2 to 1 per day.
  • Reduces lake whitefish from 25 to 10 per day.
  • Reduces northern pike from 6 to 4 per day.
  • Adds limits for burbot (6), bluegill + pumpkinseed (10 combined), brown + black bullhead (25 combined), freshwater drum (10).
  • Adds or tightens size limits (examples): black crappie no longer than 35 cm; burbot no longer than 70 cm; freshwater drum no longer than 60 cm; smallmouth bass no longer than 45 cm; stocked trout none longer than 60 cm; walleye/sauger none longer than 55 cm.

• Seasons and close times

  • Most species are available to fish year‑round by default in most waters.
  • Some areas remain closed during key spawning times (parts of the Red River, the Assiniboine River, Dauphin Lake area, and specified divisions for walleye/sauger/lake sturgeon and lake trout).
  • The baseline close times are set in the regulations but can still be varied for specific waters.

• Methods of fishing and bait

  • Restricts non‑angling methods (dip nets, seine nets, minnow traps, and cast nets up to 3 m2) mainly to baitfish and common carp.
  • Removes some species (like burbot and lake whitefish) from the lists of fish that can be taken by non‑angling methods.
  • Removes two species from usable bait lists because they are at risk.

• Stocked waters and other local rules

  • Adds West Blue Lake, Tees Lake, Elgin Reservoir and Goose River to the list of stocked trout waters (so live‑bait and non‑angling methods are restricted there).
  • Removes Beaver Lake from that list.
  • Adds Lac du Bonnet Ponds to waters where only human or electric motors are allowed for recreational fishing.
  • Adds West Watjask Lake to the list where natural bait is prohibited.

• Ice‑fishing shelters

  • If left unattended, shelters must show a phone number and either the angler’s name or their licence Customer Identification Number.
  • Requires removal of unattended shelters earlier in parts of southern Manitoba (e.g., change from March 31 to March 15 in some areas).

• Waste and handling

  • Clarifies that recreational fishers must not handle, transport or dispose of caught fish in a way that causes spoilage or waste. The old exemption for “rough fish” is removed.

• Commercial fishing and technical updates

  • Updates commercial quota tables and close times to match recent provincial practice (examples: Lake Winnipeg walleye/sauger/whitefish quota 6 100 000 kg; Cedar Lake combined quota 496 000 kg).
  • Adds a fillet conversion factor of 2.5 for some species.
  • Adds or adjusts small offence fines, for example $100 for illegal method in specified waters or for an oversized cast net.

Who's affected#

• Recreational anglers in Manitoba. Most people who fish for sport will notice the licence, limit, size and season changes.
• Fishing lodges, outfitters and tourism businesses. Year‑round opportunities in many waters may help business in spring.
• People who use non‑angling methods (dip nets, seine nets, minnow traps, cast nets) and those who harvest baitfish. Some species are no longer allowed to be taken this way.
• Taxidermists and organizers of weigh‑in tournaments. Tighter trophy‑fish rules mean fewer fish kept for mounts and weigh‑ins; events may need to move to photo‑measure formats.
• Commercial fishers. The schedule updates mostly align with recent provincial practice and are not expected to reduce overall quotas.
• Indigenous fishers exercising rights for food, social and ceremonial purposes are not subject to these recreational rules; the government says these changes do not apply to rights‑based fishing.

If it’s unclear who is affected by a specific change for a particular lake or river, the province’s annual Anglers’ Guide and local variation orders give the detailed rules for each waterbody.

Why it matters#

• Conservation: Smaller daily limits and stricter size rules aim to protect breeding fish and keep fisheries healthy over the long term. Returning larger “trophy” fish should help populations recover or remain stable.
• More fishing time: Many inland waters are now open year‑round by default. That gives anglers and businesses more opportunities in spring months that were often closed before.
• Practical changes for anglers: You can show a licence on your phone. You no longer need to sign it. Ice shelters must display a phone number if left unattended.
• Local impacts: Some fishers who relied on non‑angling methods or kept the previous maximum numbers will need to adjust where, when, and how they fish. Taxidermy services and tournament formats may need to change.
• Enforcement and clarity: Baseline rules are now clearer in the federal regulation but Manitoba will continue to issue variation orders for specific waters. The Anglers’ Guide is the practical place to check current rules for a lake or river.