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Get important fishing information, tools, and tips in one spot for all of your Saskatchewan fishing adventures.
In order to enforce limits, conservation officers must be able to count and measure your fish. Approved methods of transporting fish include: (1) whole (round); (2) headless dressed; and (3) fillets.
Reminder:
Exporting Fish
Anyone transporting legally caught fish out of Saskatchewan must possess a valid Saskatchewan angling licence. The only exceptions are First Nations or Métis people who have an existing Aboriginal right to fish for food in Saskatchewan waters, as well as children under the age of 16 and Saskatchewan resident seniors. If fish are shipped before or after you leave the country, your name, address, angling licence number and a list of contents must be attached to the outside of the container. Fish transported from Saskatchewan must be easily identified according to species, number and length. Non-resident anglers from the United States should check with U.S. Customs officials or the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service for information on regulations governing the importation and transportation of fish into the country.
Ethical anglers learn to fish responsibly because they consider the rights of others and the need to protect and conserve our natural heritage.
Ethical anglers:
Limiting your Overall Catch
When large numbers of fish are caught and released, you should consider voluntarily limiting your overall catch. When practicing catch-and-release techniques, you can kill in excess of your daily limit. A fish may appear healthy or swim away upon release; however, delayed mortality may occur due to physiological stress or injury. To estimate delayed mortality, count one fish killed for every 10 fish released. This mortality, combined with the number of fish kept, will provide an estimate of total fish kill. When your total fish kill equals the daily limit for a particular species, you should consider stopping fishing or directing your attention to another species.
Be conservation wise and know when to limit your overall catch!
Fish Access
Most Saskatchewan angling waters are open to the public. However, access may be restricted in some cases, including:
Learn more about how you can help protect Saskatchewan waters from aquatic invasive species.
Anglers should be prepared and vigilant when fishing on Saskatchewan waters.
Make sure you are aware of boat safety before your next fishing adventure with these helpful tips:
In Saskatchewan, nearly 20 per cent of all angling occurs during the winter months.
Ice safety should be your number one priority before and during your ice fishing adventures. Check ice thickness regularly, as water does not freeze uniformly and is unpredictable. Check out the ice thickness guidelines below.
Ice fishing equipment can be very basic, requiring only a line, lure and an ice auger/chisel.
The following apply when winter fishing in Saskatchewan:
Size-based limits are used in Saskatchewan to regulate fishing pressure and harvest of fish. The appropriate use of a specific size limit depends on factors such as fish reproduction, growth, mortality rates, habitat and fishing pressure.
Upper (maximum) size limit: (reduced or zero harvest of fish over a certain length)
Minimum size limit: (fish under a certain length must be released)
Protected slot limit: (fish within a designated length range must be released)
Competitive Fishing Events are defined as any fishing event with 25 or more participants who angle for fish for the purpose of winning prizes or money on the basis of fish caught. If you are hosting a competitive fishing event, you must meet requirements or hold a competitive fishing event licence.
The Fish of Saskatchewan Index and the Fish Identification Guide will help you identify what fish you could be catching in Saskatchewan.
Fish may be harmed when weighed. To protect your fish, take a length measurement. With this chart, you can quickly determine the approximate weight of your fish using a ruler or tape measure.
Total Length | Approximate Weight (kg) | |||||
(cm) | (in) | Perch | Grayling | Walleye | Lake Trout | Pike |
20 | 7.80 | 0.11 | 0.08 | 0.06 | 0.06 | 0.07 |
28 | 10.9 | 0.31 | 0.22 | 0.18 | 0.17 | 0.18 |
36 | 14.0 | 0.67 | 0.46 | 0.41 | 0.37 | 0.36 |
44 | 17.2 | 1.25 | 0.85 | 0.79 | 0.72 | 0.64 |
52 | 20.3 | 1.41 | 1.36 | 1.24 | 1.04 | |
60 | 23.4 | 2.18 | 2.16 | 1.98 | 1.56 | |
68 | 26.5 | 3.24 | 2.98 | 2.23 | ||
76 | 30.0 | 4.65 | 4.29 | 3.06 | ||
84 | 32.8 | 6.44 | 5.94 | 4.07 | ||
92 | 35.9 | 8.00 | 5.28 | |||
100 | 39.0 | 10.50 | 6.70 | |||
120 | 46.8 | 19.03 | 11.28 | |||
140 | 54.6 | 17.51 |
Catch and release fishing continues to increase in popularity in Saskatchewan. Results from the most recent survey of recreational fishing in Canada indicate that almost all anglers in Saskatchewan practice some form of catch and release. Therefore, it is important to follow best practices to limit injuries or death.
Factors such as handling, hook placement and environmental conditions can influence post-release mortality. More information about catch and release tools and techniques can be found in our Publications Centre.
Free fishing weekends are July 9-10, 2022, and February 18-20, 2023. Please note:
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