Online Licensing

Licences and Costs

All recreational anglers must have an active Wildlife Identification Number (WiN) before purchasing a recreational sportfishing licence or applying on a draw. WiN activation requires a one-time $8.00 fee (plus GST). Current WiN card holders will be required to pay the one-time fee when their current WiN expires. Create or renew a WiN online and receive $2.00 off the activation fee.

If you are under 16 years of age or an Alberta resident aged 65 or older you are not required to have a sportfishing licence to fish with a rod and reel; however, you must follow Alberta’s sportfishing regulations.

For information regarding Indigenous Rights and Responsibilities in regards to fishing, please visit Alberta’s website at https://www.alberta.ca/indigenous-hunting-and-fishing-in-alberta.aspx

Sportfishing licences, Special Harvest Licences including undersubscribed Special Harvest Licences and draw applications for walleye are available at albertarelm.com or from more than 300 private licence issuers.

Disclaimer
If you are drawn for a Special Licence, the authorization to purchase that licence cannot be cancelled. All licences and applications are Non-Refundable and Non-Transferable.

1 A resident Canadian Armed Forces Veteran is an Alberta resident who is a former member of the Canadian Armed Forces, has successfully undergone basic training and has been honourably discharged. 
2 Alberta Resident is an individual who has their only or primary residence in Alberta and is a Canadian citizen or is admitted to permanent residence in Canada.
3 Non-resident (Canadian) is an individual who is not a Resident, but who makes their home and is ordinarily present in Canada, and who has lived in Canada for the 12-month period immediately preceding the relevant date.
4 Non-resident Outside of Canada is an individual who is neither a Resident nor a Non-resident.

Licences must be carried when sportfishing and transporting fish harvested with the sportfishing licence.

To obtain the free CAF Veteran Sportfishing Licence, Canadian Armed Forces veterans update and confirm their WiN profile status by providing approved identification (VSC, CAF 74, NDI 75, CFOne “V”) on the AlbertaRELM website or a licence issuer. Must carry the CAF Veteran Sportfishing Licence and approved veteran identification when sportfishing.  

The AlbertaRELM App is the only method for which anglers can easily store and access licences electronically. Please remember that the onus is on the angler to produce the electronic or paper licence when requested by an officer during field compliance checks.

If a person is convicted of a provincial fishing or hunting offence and fails to pay their fine, they will be suspended from purchasing or using a sportfishing licence, a hunting licence or applying on draws until that outstanding fine has been paid.

How are the Sportfishing Licensing fees used? For each $1 of revenue collected:

• $0.61 is distributed to the Alberta Conservation Association. For more information on how funds are used to support Fisheries programs, please visit www.ab-conservation.com
• $0.34 is used for licensing allocation and administration providing compensation to the Service Provider and the network of private Licence Issuers as well as provides funds for programs to monitor fish populations. For more information, visit mywildalberta.ca
  
• $0.05 goes to Government of Alberta General Revenue Fund.

Lost/destroyed licences – all purchased licences can be reprinted either at a licence issuer for a $2.00 fee or online at no charge.
Lost/destroyed tags – Tags that are lost or stolen can now be replaced at a licence issuer for a $11.00 replacement fee. 

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Draws for Special Harvest Licences

For more information about Special Walleye Draws, go to albertarelm.com and mywildalberta.ca

Alberta uses an innovative approach to allow a sustainable level of harvest of walleye from lakes that have recovered from major declines. Several fisheries have recovered to the point where a limited harvest of specific sizes of walleye can be allocated. Recognizing the need to conserve fisheries, where fishing pressure is substantial, a limited harvest option has been developed. A Special Harvest Licence is available for walleye to Albertans selected through a draw at specified lakes.These lakes are selected based on current stock assessment and sport fishery information.

Notice to Anglers
Alberta Government reserves the right to close any lake if it is deemed that a fish stock cannot sustain itself or sustain a harvest. For example, if a lake has experienced serious winterkill, a zero harvest regulation may be implemented. If you have any questions regarding this, contact EPA.Outreach-Services@gov.ab.ca.

Tagging instructions
The electronic tagging pilot is paused for the 2024-25 sportfishing season. Walleye retained with a Special Harvest Licence must be immediately tagged as per conditions of licence with a paper tag and wire through the gill cavity and mouth. 

Special Harvest Licences are to be used only by the licence holder, with the exception of anglers under 16 years of age.

Anglers under 16 years old are permitted to use a supervising adult’s Special Harvest Licence tags for walleye. 

2024 DRAWS

April 2 - 18, 2024
Draw applications may be purchased for $5.00 (plus GST) online at AlbertaRELM or at licence issuers.  

May 7, 2024  
Draw results available online at AlbertaRELM. 

May 7, 2024 
Awarded Walleye Special Harvest licences may be purchased for $11.00 (plus GST) online at AlbertaRELM or at licence issuers. 

May 7, 2024  
If not drawn, Walleye Class A & B Undersubscribed licences may be purchased for $11.00 (plus GST) online at AlbertaRELM or at licence issuers. 

May 7, 2024
If not drawn, Walleye Class C licences (first come first served), maximum 5 licences, can be purchased for $11.00 each (plus GST) online at AlbertaRELM or at licence issuers.   
 
May 14, 2024
Additional Walleye licences can be purchased for $11.00 each (plus GST) on-line at AlbertaRELM or at licence issuers. 

See MyWildAlberta Fishing Licences for more information.    

DRAW RULES including types of Special Harvest Licences for walleye  

New! Purchase up to 5 Class C walleye licences on a first-come first-served basis, after licence information is available on albertarelm.com.

If you were drawn for a Class A or B or purchased an undersubscribed or Class C licence you will be able to purchase additional licences starting on July 14. See MyWildAlberta.ca Fishing Licences for more information.

If you previously purchased a Class A or B (drawn or undersubscribed) or first come first served Class C licence(s) you will be able to purchase additional licences in a different class (size) starting May 14. See MyWildAlberta Fishing Licences or AlbertaRELM for more information.

All applicants require a Wildlife Identification Number (WiN). A WiN can be purchased online at albertarelm.com and at any licence issuer.

If you only want to increase your draw priority, choose priority only as your first and only choice.

You can view last year’s Special Licence Draw Summary Report. This provides statistics on the number of applications, licences available, and your chances of being drawn. Visit albertarelm.com.
 
If there are not enough draw applicants to fill the Class A and Class B Special Walleye Licence quotas, the undersubscribed licences are made available to eligible Alberta resident anglers to purchase on a first-come first-served basis.

Undersubscribed licences become available for purchase May 7, 2024. Draw priorities are not affected by purchasing an undersubscribed licence.

Harvest tags and wires can be ordered online at albertarelm.com or picked up at your local Fish and Wildlife office or Licence Issuer.