Publications A Review of the 1998/99 Sport Fishing Regulations in Canada with Specific Reference to the Humane Considerations Published by the Animal Welfare Foundation of Canada in 1997

Table 3.  Sport fishing tackle as regulated by the various Canadian jurisdictions

 
Province, Territory or Jursidiction
Hooks & Lines
 YK 
NWT
 BC 
 AB 
 SK 
 MN 
 ON 
 QU 
 NB 
 NS 
PEI 
NFLD
BC Tidal
Parks
Barbless Hooks Mandatory for All Fishing          
Y
               
Barbless Hooks Mandatory for Catch & Release      
 
Y
 
               
Barbless Hooks Recommended for
Catch & Release
Y 
Y 
Y 
 
   
Y 
Y 
Y
Y 
Y 
Y 
Y8 
Y 
Barbless Hooks Mandatory for Certain Areas
Y 
 
Y 
 
 
 
Y 
 
 
 
Y 
   
Y 
Barbless Hooks Mandatory for Certain Species
 
 
Y 
 
 
 
 
 
     
 
 
 
Maximum Number of Hooks Permitted on a Line
 
2 
1 
3 
4 
2 
1 
3-inf.5
3 
3 
3 
17 
Y9 
1 
Maximum Number of Points Permitted on a Hook
 
 
 
3 
 
 
 
3 
16 
 
 
 
 
1
Maximum Number of Lines Permitted in Open Water
1
1 
23
1 
1 
1
1
1 
1
1 
1 
 
 
1 
Maximum Number of Lines Permitted in Ice-covered Water
2 
2 
1 
3 
2 
2 
1-5 
5-10 
5 
 
 
 
 
 
Maximum Distance a Person Fishing May Be From an Unattended Line (in m, 0=must always attend lines)
0
502 
 
30 
25 
504 
60 
0 
0
 
 
 
0 
0 
Lead Sinkers or Jigs Prohibited
Y1
 
                     
Y
Lead Sinkers or Jigs Discouraged            
Y
 
 
Y
   
 
 


Notes:

  1. Lead prohibited in one area only.
  2. Refers to ice fishing only, no statement made about open water.
  3. Two lines is allowed if only one person is alone in a boat.
  4. 50 m when ice fishing but in sight at all times when in open water.
  5. No limit on the number of hooks for smelt fishing.
  6. Only single hook permitted for each line when ice fishing.
  7. Refers to fly fishing only.
  8. Detailed summary of catch and release technique included.  Summary of barbless vs. barbed hooks also included but cannot be generalized to all species or sizes of fish.
  9. No specific numbers given but says that in most areas you can only use gear that will catch one fish at a time (exceptions: herring and tidal portion of Fraser River).

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