Special Harvest Licences

A Special Harvest Licence (SHL) is a way to share fish among Albertans when there are not enough fish for everyone to be able to keep their catch. Helping populations support themselves or recover ensures the sustainability of these fish populations and fisheries. This management tool is currently only used for walleye.

These licences are available through a draw system, similar to Alberta’s hunting licence application and draw process. Tags are provided to anglers with a licence and are used to harvest legal-sized walleye.

Learn more about how Special Harvest Licences work and why we need them:

2023-2024 Special Harvest Licences for Walleye

Here are key aspects of the Special Harvest Licence program in the 2023-24 sportfishing season:

• The draw period is from 9:00 AM Thursday March 30, 2023 to 11:59 PM Saturday April 23, 2023.
• Draw results will be available on May 9, 2023.
• If successfully drawn, a Special Harvest Licence holder receives 2 walleye tags for Class A (>50 cm) or Class B (43 – 50cm) for a single lake.
• Special Harvest Licences can be purchased on May 9, 2023 at 9:00am.
  • Special Harvest Licences are $11.00 (plus GST).
  • New! Purchase up to 5 Class C licences (2 tags for < 43 cm walleye) on a first-come, first-served basis.
• Anglers can purchase additional SHL licences starting July 14:
  • If you purchased a Class A licence (drawn or undersubscribed), you can purchase a Class B licence or Class C licences (up to 5) too.
  • If you purchased a Class B licence (drawn or undersubscribed), you can purchase a Class A licence or Class C licences (up to 5) too.
  • If you purchased Class C licences (up to 5 on first-come, first-served basis), you can purchase a Class A or a Class B licence too.
• Prior to purchasing, if using paper tags and not electronic tags, users must have pre-numbered Government of Alberta adhesive paper tags ready so you can entre the tag number. Order yours from:
  • Online on albertarelm.com
  • At Alberta Fish & Wildlife district offices; or
  • By calling the AlbertaRELM help desk toll free at 1-888-944-5494.
• New! Alberta has updated the maximum possession limit for walleye in the provincial sportfishing regulations.
  • The maximum possession limit for walleye is now no more than 12 fish, when harvested under the authority of Special Harvest Licences combined with an annual sportfishing licence.
  • Anglers without a SHL still have a maximum possession limit of 3 walleye.
• Know before you go! Always read the Sportfishing Regulation Guide and review the Advisories, Corrections, Closures webpage.

Electronic tag option (e-tags)

In response to stakeholder feedback supporting an option for the electronic tagging of walleye, electronic tags (e-tags) will be piloted in 2023-24 using the RELM App.

• The draw process is unchanged. Licence holders will choose either paper and wire tags or electronic tags when purchasing their Special Harvest Licence.

Tagging Instructions

• Walleye retained with a Special Harvest Licence must be immediately tagged as per conditions of licence.
• Immediately tag your fish with either a paper tag and wire through the gill cavity and mouth or an electronic tag using the AlbertaRELM App by submitting a harvest report.
• With or without cellular service, the harvest record of electronically tagged fish using the AlbertaRELM App, will indicate the date and time of tagging.

For more information about electronic tagging of walleye, see:

Draw Application Process

• The draw period is from 9:00 AM Thursday March 30, 2023 to 11:59 PM Saturday April 23, 2023.
• Draw applications can be purchased online on the AlbertaRELM website or at Licence Issuers.
• Application cost is $3.35 (plus GST) and is non-refundable.

  To Purchase online, visit:

  AlbertaRELM
• Alberta Residents can apply for a licence for each of the two larger size classes of walleye but are only drawn for one.
• The applicant can specify up to three waterbody preferences on each licence draw application (within each draw, state 1st, 2nd and 3rd lake choices).
• Once drawn, the applicant's name will be removed from successive draws.

2023-2024 Waterbodies

In the 2023-2024 fishing season, Special Harvest Licences for walleye are available for:

Need Help?

If you need assistance, contact the Active Network AlbertaRELM Help Desk:

Related Links

Updated: Jul 21, 2023