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 Sunday 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:
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
Please log into AlbertaRELM to view the class and number of opportunities available.
2023-2024 Waterbodies
In the 2023-2024 fishing season, Special Harvest Licences for walleye are available for:
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2022-23
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Class A Licences for >50 cm walleye
Draw application or undersubscribed
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Class B Licences for 43-50 cm walleye
Draw application or undersubscribed
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Class C Licences for <43 cm walleye
First-come, first-served
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|
Amisk Lk
|
Yes
|
Yes
|
Yes
|
|
Baptiste Lk
|
Yes
|
Yes
|
Yes
|
|
Crawling Valley
|
Yes
|
Yes
|
No
|
|
Ethel Lk
|
Yes
|
No
|
No
|
|
Fawcett Lk
|
Yes
|
Yes
|
Yes
|
|
Gregoire Lk
|
Yes
|
Yes
|
Yes
|
|
Hilda Lk
|
No
|
Yes
|
Yes
|
| Lac Ste. Anne |
Yes
|
Yes
|
Yes
|
|
Long Lk
|
Yes
|
Yes
|
Yes
|
|
Moose Lk
|
Yes
|
No
|
No
|
|
Newell Lk
|
Yes
|
Yes
|
No
|
|
Pigeon Lk
|
No
|
Yes
|
No
|
|
Seibert Lk
|
Yes
|
Yes
|
Yes
|
|
Shiningbank Lk
|
Yes
|
Yes
|
No
|
|
Wabamun Lk
|
No
|
No
|
Yes
|
|
Wadlin Lk
|
Yes
|
No
|
No
|
|
Whitefish Lk
|
No
|
Yes
|
No
|
|
Wolf Lk
|
Yes
|
Yes
|
Yes
|
Need Help?
If you need assistance, contact the Active Network AlbertaRELM Help Desk:
Related Links
Updated: Apr 21, 2023