Saskatchewan anglers will see a new fee on their balance sheets this spring as the province aligns fishing regulations with its existing conservation funding model.
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Starting with the 2026-27 season, the Ministry of Environment is introducing an angling habitat certificate. The new requirement follows the long-standing model used for hunting licences, with proceeds directed toward the protection and enhancement of provincial fisheries.
Under the new rules, an annual angling licence will require a $20 habitat certificate. Anglers opting for one-day or three-day licences will pay a $5 fee.
The province noted that individuals who purchase both an annual hunting and fishing licence in the same year only need to buy one certificate.
“This change aligns angling licences with the existing conservation funding model,” the ministry said in a March 19 release.
Revenue from the certificates will be deposited into the Fish and Wildlife Development Fund. The government said the money is earmarked for several key priorities, including the modernization of the Saskatchewan Fish Hatchery and programs aimed at preventing the spread of aquatic invasive species.
Current fishing licences are set to expire March 31. Officials are encouraging anglers to renew early through their Hunting, Angling and Trapping Licence (HAL) accounts to avoid “last-minute scrambling” once the ice breaks.
Licences remain available online, at government field offices, select provincial parks, or via phone.
Exemptions remain in place for certain groups. Saskatchewan residents under the age of 16, seniors over 65, and veterans do not require a licence or the new habitat certificate.
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