Report A Poacher

In 2022, Fish and wildlife officers were able to solve several cases with help from the public. Here is one of those cases.

SOLVED CASE: CHAMPION

In June 2022, Alberta Fish and Wildlife Enforcement Services responded to an illegal fishing complaint at Travers Reservoir, near Champion, Alberta. Officers received a report about several individuals keeping walleye and pike from the lake, which has a zero-possession limit for both species.

An officer attended the location and saw two individuals fishing. One of them was seen catching and keeping two northern pike and putting them in a cooler in a nearby car. The officer initiated a fishing compliance check and found a total of three northern pike and seven walleye in the cooler. In addition to seizing the fish, the officer issued both individuals appearance notices as it is an offence to possess pike and walleye from Travers Reservoir.

The two individuals appeared in Provincial Court in Lethbridge and received a collective fine of $3,300.

Fishing is a popular pastime in the province. Before heading out, be sure to familiarize yourself with Alberta’s sportfishing rules and regulations, available at www.albertaregulations.ca/ fishingregs-pdfs-2023.html. This document includes information on general fishing tips, catch limits, sportfishing seasons, and more.

There is also a map-based application to view sportfishing regulations online: https://geospatial.alberta.ca/afr/

Anyone with information of suspected poaching is encouraged to contact Report A Poacher by phone at 1-800-642-3800 or online at www.alberta.ca/report-poacher.aspx. All reporters can remain anonymous and could be eligible for a reward. REPORT A POACHER NOW. CALL TOLL-FREE OR REPORT ONLINE 24 HOURS A DAY, 7 DAYS A WEEK.

All calls are kept strictly confidential, and the information you provide can lead to an arrest, fines, and jail time. The Report A Poacher program is delivered in joint partnership between Alberta Justice and Solicitor General and Alberta Conservation Association.