Overview
Commonly called fishing derbies or angling tournaments, competitive fishing events are organized activities where people participate in a sport fish angling competition for prizes that are awarded for the size, weight or the number of fish caught. The three categories of competitive fishing event — small, medium and large — are defined by the number of participants and the total prize value.
A competitive fishing event:
- includes 26 or more participants
- runs for one or more consecutive days
- takes place at one specified waterbody
- awards prizes based on fishing success
Competitive fishing events often raise funds for important causes, and as anyone who has ever participated in one can tell you, they're also a lot of fun.
Organizers of competitive fishing Events are required to apply for a licence using the Application Form and submit a Summary Form after the event.
Non-competitive fishing events
There are also non-competitive fishing events where 25 or fewer people participate in a sport fish angling activity. Prizes or gifts at these events:
- are determined by participation or random draw
- are not based on fishing success
- must not total more than $100
There is no application or licence required for these fishing events, however, organizers are encouraged to voluntarily register the event using the Notification Form and submit a Summary Form after the event.
For further details, see the Non-competitive Fishing Events section below.
Licensing your fishing event
Competitive fishing events must meet several criteria to receive a licence, including being an organized fishing competition that takes place at a single, specified body of water for one or more species of fish.
Licences are only issued to individuals who are residents of Alberta and may be a representative of an organization, club, social group, or business.
Non-competitive fishing events do not meet these criteria and thus do not currently require a licence or permit from the Government of Alberta.
This chart outlines the different event types, their sizes, parameters, and if a licence is required.
| Event type |
Event parameters |
Licence Required? |
| Small competitive fishing event |
- 26 to 75 participants
- Prize value totaling less than $1,000
- $25 licence required
- Participants may harvest fish according to the sportfishing regulations for where the event is held.
These events are usually not organized to raise money or place an emphasis on prizes.
Most of these events do not advertise and there is minimal or no entrance fee.
Event organizers and participants are required to follow best management practices and adhere to a set of standard conditions of licence that are an integral part of the competitive fishing events licence.
|
Yes |
| Medium competitive fishing events |
- 26 to 75 participants
- Prize value totaling more than $1,000
- $25 licence required
- Participants must follow all regulations for the waterbody where the event is held
- Participants must practice catch-and-release for all fish species
Event organizers and participants are required to follow best management practices and adhere to a set of standard conditions of licence that are an integral part of the competitive fishing events licence.
|
Yes |
| Large competitive fishing events |
- 76 or more participants
- $25 licence required
- Participants must follow all regulations for the waterbody where the event is held
- Participants must practice catch-and-release for all fish species
Event organizers and participants are required to follow best management practices and adhere to a set of standard conditions of licence that are an integral part of the competitive fishing events licence. |
Yes |
| Non-competitive fishing events |
- 25 or fewer participants
- Participants may not receive prizes or gifts totaling more than $100
- Does not require a licence
- Participants may harvest fish according to the sportfishing regulations for where the event is held.
These events are often organized using online applications and be held at multiple or an unspecified number of waterbodies for one or more species of fish.
Event organizers are encouraged to:
|
No |
Seasonal event licence conditions
The Government of Alberta applies standard sets of conditions to competitive fishing events. However, the use of these conditions in combination with the rules set out by event organizers means that licences may have different conditions based upon the allocation priorities and the following considerations:
- The type of event, time of year for the event, organizer rules and the number of participants.
- The fisheries management objectives at the waterbody. For example, licence conditions for an event at a waterbody that has a liberal harvest management objective may not be as restrictive in relation to a waterbody managed to achieve a sustainable harvest or a high-quality fisheries management objective.
Alberta's government encourages anyone organizing a competitive fishing event, from a tournament using a web-based application to a more traditional weigh-in style, to ensure the event aligns with current licencing guidelines and best management practices.
Conditions of licence are used to ensure that all events adopt the best possible practices that support the survival of released fish. For more information on competitive fishing events please see the resources below or contact the Hunting and Fishing Branch of Alberta Forestry and Parks.
Licence conditions for summer and winter (ice-covered) events can be found here:
Planning your competitive fishing event
Competitive fishing events are only permitted on waterbodies in which there is an open sportfishing season and an open harvest regulation (example: size and bag limit) for the target species. Examples of waterbodies not permitted to have competitive fishing events include lakes or rivers with restricted regulations like catch and release (example: 0 limits) or a Special Harvest Licence (example: walleye tags).
Information about sportfishing seasons and allowable harvests are available in:
The number of competitive fishing events allowed on a waterbody is determined by the government depending on the size and type of events on the waterbody. The Summary Form, provided to the government after an event, helps determine the sustainability of these fish populations and fisheries for future events.
Application form
Organizers of competitive fishing events are required to apply for a licence using the application form at least three weeks prior to the event. This allows the Government of Alberta time to:
- review your application,
- discuss your application and event with you, and
- issue the licence.
Applications can be done online by completing and submitting the application form.
Form submission and contacts
Forms can be submitted:
- online by downloading, completing, saving and emailing to HFB-Fisheries@gov.ab.ca
- in person by printing, completing, and delivering to a Fish and Wildlife office
Submit the form(s) to the office that manages the waterbody where your event will be held.
A Hunting and Fishing Branch representative will contact you to discuss the details of your event. A copy of the event rules should accompany your application.
Applicants planning to hold an event in a Provincial Park or protected area, or use park facilities or any privately owned campground and/or boat launch or marina must include written authority from the property and or facility manager with their application.
Application deadline
For any competitive fishing event planned for the next year’s fishing season between April 1 and March 31, the earliest date you can apply is December 1. This date allows the Alberta government time to review previous year’s results and make necessary adjustments to licence conditions prior to the next competitive fishing event season.
Licences are reviewed in the order they are received.
Payment
Online payment is available for competitive fishing event licences.
When your Application Form is submitted and reviewed, you will receive an email with instructions on how to pay electronically using the Government Payment Application System. The payment system is secure and easy to use.
If you prefer, you can still submit your payment at a local Fish and Wildlife office.
Promotion
You must have a licence prior to promoting or advertising the event. The licence number you receive must be included on all postings and advertisements.
Mitigating negative impacts on fisheries
There is a potential downside to competitive fishing events as additional angling pressure increases catch-and-release mortality or harvest which can have considerable impacts on fish populations and recreational fisheries. These impacts are influenced by:
- how events are organized
- timing and location of an event (example: hot weather and warm water can increase stress and mortality of fish)
- the number of participants in the event
- whether fish are transported to a weigh-in station or simply measured, photographed and released
- the number of events held on a waterbody
Best management practices are available to educate and help organizers plan and run events so the event minimizes the impact on the fish populations and recreational fisheries:
Summary form
Organizers are responsible for submitting a Summary Form within 14 days of the event.
Summary forms can be submitted:
- online by downloading, completing, saving and emailing to HFB-Fisheries@gov.ab.ca
- in person by printing, completing, and delivering to a Fish and Wildlife office
Organizing a non-competitive fishing event
If you are organizing a Non-competitive fishing event, there is no application or licence required. However, organizers are encouraged to voluntarily register the event using the Notification Form and submit a Summary Form within 14 days after the event.
Forms for non-competitive fishing events can be submitted:
- online by downloading, completing, saving and emailing to HFB-Fisheries@gov.ab.ca
- in person by printing, completing, and delivering to a Fish and Wildlife office
Participating in a fishing event
All participants in small, medium, and large competitive fishing events must have a valid Alberta Participants in small, medium, and large competitive fishing events must have a valid Alberta sportfishing license and WIN card, save for the following exemptions:
- youths under 16 years of age
- seniors aged 65 or older
- individuals participating in a designated Family Fishing Weekend
As a participant in a competitive fishing event, the organizer is required to provide you with the following:
- a copy of the event licence
- a signed copy of Schedule A / Conditions of Licence
- a copy of the event rules
Participants in small competitive fishing events can harvest fish by following the sportfishing regulations at that waterbody. Participants in medium and large events must practice catch-and-release for all fish.
As a participant, you should have a copy of the event licence and a signed copy of Schedule A / Conditions of Licence. Also, the event rules must be provided to all registered participants.
Resources
Updated: Jun 27, 2025