| Alberta Agriculture and Rural Development (ARD) issues three types of fish culture licences under the authority of the Alberta Fisheries Act and its supporting regulations.
A Recreational Fish Culture Licence allows the holder to keep cultured fish, as specified, in the water body named on the licence. This licence is intended for the recreational, non-commercial use of the applicant. Fish cannot be sold under the authority of this licence. Recreational Fish Culture licences are $10 per year or $50 for a five-year period. New applicants, or applicants who have allowed their licence to lapse for one year or more, will also be required to pay an additional $42.00 to have the water body inspected. The water body must be inspected to ensure it is situated on privately-owned land and isolated from other water to the point that stocking fish will not adversely affect the environment or native fish.
A Commercial A Fish Culture Licence allows the holder to sell as well as keep cultured fish as specified on the licence. This licence is intended for those operating a business involving the sale of cultured fish. The annual fee is $75.
A Commercial B Fish Culture Licence also allows the holder to sell and keep cultured fish; however, the licenced premises are limited to "contained waters." Contained waters are waters held in a man-made aquarium or other impervious container that is normally housed within a building, OR waters held in a man-made reservoir that isolates the water in it from flowing into other water sources, is completely lined with an impervious material and is no larger than 55 square metres (600 square feet). Commercial B licences cost $150 annually.
A Commercial B Fish Culture Licence also allows the holder to sell and keep cultured fish; however, the licenced premises are limited to "contained waters." Contained waters are waters held in a man-made aquarium or other impervious container that is normally housed within a building, OR waters held in a man-made reservoir that isolates the water in it from flowing into other water sources, is completely lined with an impervious material and is no larger than 55 square metres (600 square feet). Commercial B licences cost $150 annually.
What kinds of fish can I stock in my pond or fish culture facility?
Table 1 shows the species of cultured fish eligible under each licence. Goldfish and Koi are considered cultured fish only if they are possessed at a location that is not within a person's principal residence and the fish are being kept for the purpose of selling wholesale. The Licensing Section will not issue a licence for any species of fish not included in Table 1.
Table 1. Cultured fish eligible for licencing
| Recreational & Commercial 'A' | Commercial 'B' |
Arctic char
Rainbow trout
Brook trout
Brown trout
Triploid grass carp | Atlantic salmon
Chinook salmon
Coho salmon
Sockeye (Kokanee) salmon
Freshwater prawn
Goldfish
Koi
Tilapia
Bigmouth Buffalo fish
American eel
Apple snail |
I have enough fish in my pond and do not need to purchase more this year. Is it necessary for me to renew my licence when it expires?
Yes, a valid licence is not only necessary to purchase fish, but is required as long as you hold fish in your water body.
How long does it take to obtain a licence?
First-time applications will usually be inspected and processed within two weeks. Allow one more week for delivery of the licence by mail. Unfavourable weather or poor field conditions may delay this process.
Will I require any other licences?
In some instances, it will be necessary to obtain a licence to use and divert water before a fish culture licence can be issued. For more information, please call Alberta Environment, Water Approval at (780) 427-5296 in Edmonton.
What are restricted and prohibited areas?
There are two geographic areas in Alberta where special conditions apply due to the sensitive nature of the surrounding natural fisheries. An area roughly described as the south-west quarter of the province is restricted to stocking Rainbow trout only. Another block of land, roughly 300 square miles in area and lying to the southwest of Red Deer, is prohibited to any stocking of fish.
As seen in Figure 1, the boundaries of the restricted and prohibited areas are irregular. If you are unsure as to the location of your water body in relation to these zones, please contact the Aquaculture section's licencing coordinator for more information.
Figure 1.
Can I licence a pond on public land that I lease from the government?
No, licences will not be issued for ponds located on public land. You can, however, receive a licence for a pond located on land that you lease if the land is privately owned.
Can I move native fish, caught in other water bodies, to my pond?
No, it is illegal to take, use or attempt to use live fish or fish eggs taken from public water for stocking a fish culture premise.
Can I licence a pond that is owned jointly by me and my neighbour?
Yes, but first your neighbour must sign the application form giving his/her consent to allow you to operate a fish culture facility. |