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Should you be
convicted for a first offence under the Fisheries Act, you may be liable to
a fine up to $100,000. If you are uncertain about any of the following
items, contact a Fishery Officer or Renewable Resource Officer BEFORE
fishing. Regulations under the Fisheries Act
state that:
 | You must carry your signed and validated
license while
fishing, and be able to produce it at the request of an officer. Check your
license for the expiry date. |
| Sport fishing refers to fishing for pleasure. It is an offence to sell any
game fish caught by sport fishing. |
| Live fish cannot be used for bait. Live fish or live fish eggs cannot be
put into NWT waters. |
| A hand net may only be used for landing fish caught by angling. |
| No person shall engage in spear fishing except while swimming. |
| You may not dispose of fish or fish remains in the water or on the ice. At
public sites, place fish remains and refuse in the provided containers. |
| Dip nets may be used to catch ciscoes and suckers. The diameter of the dip
net hoop cannot exceed one metre, and all other species of fish caught must
immediately be returned to the water. |
| Snagging of fish is prohibited. |
| Except when preparing your fish for immediate consumption, you must leave
the skin on the fish
to help in determining the species. The number of fish must also be
identifiable. Fillets must be
separated before freezing them. Two fillets are regarded as one fish. |
| When stored in an area other than your permanent residence, fish must be
marked with the name and Sport Fishing Licence number of the person who
caught them. If you are transporting fish, this information must also be
marked on the outside of the package. |
| No one shall fish in any manner within twenty-five yards downstream from
the lower entrance to any
fishway, canal, obstacle or leap.
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The use of barbless hooks for sport fishing is
mandatory in the NWT. Barbless hooks permit easier removal of the
hook, minimizing damage to the fish and reducing handling time,
which subsequently increases the chances of survival for released
fish. Many fish that are released after being caught with a barbed
hook later die from excessive handling or bleeding. Barbless hooks
can be purchased at local sporting goods stores. Barbed hooks can
easily be converted to barbless by either crimping or filing the
barb off.
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Angling is fishing with a hook and line. The use of any unusual or
special gimmick is often illegal and best avoided. Hooks or lures
must not be spring-loaded. You may not use lights while angling.
During open
water season, you may fish with only a single line or rod. No more
than two hooks can be attached to the line. You must attend to your
line at all times. While fishing through the ice, you may fish with
a maximum of two lines. No more than two hooks can be attached to
any line. You must remain within 50 metres (60 yds.) of your line or
lines.
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The Department of Fisheries and Oceans has
initiated a process to amend the Northwest
Territories Fishery Regulations. A person can provide comments
regarding the NWT Fishery Regulations to: Department of Fisheries and
Oceans, Suite 101, 5204-50th Ave., Yellowknife, NT, X1A 1E2 or by
Email:
nwtregs@dfo-mpo.gc.ca. |
Please do not litter! Dispose of your garbage
properly and help keep our environment clean and safe. Litter can be
hazardous to fish, wildlife and other anglers. Discarding bait
containers, fishing line and other types of litter along shorelines,
on the ice or in the water is illegal and perpetrators may face
significant fines. When possible, show your concern for the
environment by cleaning up after others. |
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