Sustaining Our Fisheries

A Commitment To The Future

Our goal is to ensure Manitoba continues to provide a superior quality of angling for future generations and to rank as one of the top sport fishing destinations in the world.

This goal has been the driving force behind Manitoba's highly successful conservation and resource management program. A program that has made us the North American leader for over a decade in protecting and encouraging the growth of our fisheries. The result: whether you come for the fun of it, or for the big trophies, the quantity and quality of fish are here now and they will be here in the future.

Thanks to anglers' voluntary support, the big stringer of fish has been replaced by selective harvesting for that special shore lunch, or for a few to take home. The pictures of holding the trophies back at the dock, are now taken from the boat where the release of the fish occurs. Anglers are investing in the future with every big one they put back.

Initiatives

In addition, we have put several initiatives in place, all focusing on the sustainable use of the resource. Some of the highlights include:

• Our conservation licence entitles the holder to the same rights as a regular licence, with the exception of lower catch limits. Nearly 80 per cent of the permits sold to visitors in Manitoba are conservation licences.
• The introduction of high-quality management size limits geared to reducing the number of large fish anglers can harvest. These features are geared to maintaining and enhancing the quality of the fisheries. How? The big ones are the producers that sustain the resource for the future.
• The mandatory use of barbless hooks throughout the province, makes it easier to release fish.
• The promotion of catch-and-release practices through education and regulations. Manitoba has the highest release rate of any province in Canada.
• The Fisheries Enhancement Initiative program, funded by subsidies gained from each fishing licence sold, provides financial support for projects designed to build our fish stocks. Projects range from watershed management initiatives to improving spawning and lake habitats. The response to the program has been overwhelming with projects active throughout the province.

Fisheries Enhancement Stamp

Purchase a fishing licence, and you'll also receive a Fisheries Enhancement stamp featuring a Manitoba fish. It's a reminder you've made a contribution to funding projects ensuring adequate fish stocks exist for years to come.