The 2025 edition of the Manitoba Anglers Guide is now available, and anglers will notice some notable changes this year including a significant increase in fines.
Trevor Fehr of Fehr’s Sporting Goods in Steinbach says he supports the changes.
“I mean the fines are there in order to protect our wildlife and our resources. And if people don't want to protect them, I think it's a good thing that we should be enforcing it.”
Fines have risen considerably since 2024. According to the Manitoba Anglers Guide, amounts may vary depending on the severity and frequency of the offence. Some set fines have increased as part of Canada’s process to amend The Contraventions Act.
Notable fine increases include a $288 hike for exceeding catch limits, $168 increases for both using barbed hooks and leaving a line unattended, $331 increase for possession of crayfish, and $231 increase for bringing live bait into Manitoba.
Here are the updated fine amounts:
- Using barbed hooks – $220
- Fishing without a license – $298
- Over limit – $390+
- Transporting live fish away from the water – $486
- Unattended line – $220
- Failure to carry your license while fishing – $174
- Failure to remove an ice fishing shelter – $348
- Possession of crayfish – $433
- Bringing live bait into Manitoba – $433
- Possession of AIS (e.g. zebra mussels) – $1,296
- Failure to dispose of bait in an AIS Control Zone – $672
Fehr believes one of the most important fines to enforce is for those who exceed their catch limit.
“A lot of the times fishing out the season or keeping more fish than is necessary. We'll see a lot of lakes that are overfished that 10 years ago you could easily catch a limit and now you're having a hard time even catching one or two fish. So that's really one of the bigger ones I would like to see more enforced.”
He adds that protecting fish populations today will ensure quality angling for future generations.
“We want to protect our wildlife, our resources, and we want to keep it good for our kids and their kids.”
As open water season approaches, Fehr’s Sporting Goods is preparing for a busy stretch.
“We're getting some orders in, we have a bunch of our fishing stuff is already showing up and we're getting more and more. But it’s shaping up to be a really good season.”
Angling licenses for 2025 are now available for purchase online and at participating vendors. They become valid on May 1. The 2024 annual angling license is still valid until April 30.
All anglers are required to obtain a Manitoba angling license to fish in the province, unless exempt or fishing within a federal park.
To read the full Manitoba Anglers Guide 2025, visit www.gov.mb.ca.