General Regulations

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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:

1. You must carry your signed and validated licence while fishing, and be able to produce it at the request of an officer. Check your licence for the expiry date.

2. “Sport fishing” means fishing for pleasure and not for sale or barter and may include angling, spear fishing and dip netting.

3. It is an offence to waste any game fish that is suitable for food.

4. Live fish cannot be used for bait. Live fish or live fish eggs cannot be put into NWT waters.

5. A hand net may only be used for landing fish caught by angling.

6. You may not use or possess a gaff while sport fishing.

7. No person shall engage in spear fishing except while swimming.

8. 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.

9. 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.

10. Snagging of fish is prohibited.

11. 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.

12. 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.

13. No one shall fish in any manner within twenty-five yards downstream from the lower entrance to any fishway, canal, obstacle or leap.