From 2022-2025 we sampled walleye in the North Saskatchewan River to gather more information about how vulnerable they are to capture by angling as well as some other data about the walleye population.
We do this by catching walleye with fishing gear, measuring them, and inserting a PIT tag that transmits a serial number to a special reader. This technology is similar to what a vet would use to ‘microchip’ a dog or cat.
Several of the tagged walleye have been caught over a dozen times in the past couple of years. One has been caught 21 times since we first tagged it in August 2022.
We have some interesting data that tells us the walleye don’t travel very far – most recaptures are found in the same section of the river they were originally tagged. There are probably far fewer walleye than people realize.
This work has been done by volunteers (citizen scientists) but we’ve had support from the Alberta Conservation Association as well as Alberta Environment and Parks.
In 2025, the focus shifted from walleye to mooneye and goldeye. We started tagging these fish in May 2025. The recapture rate is significantly different than walleye. Surprisingly, only one mooneye has been recaptured this year.
Some stats:
| # times captured for the most frequently caught walleye | 21 |
| Total number of fish caught by volunteer anglers since 2022 | 1595 |
| Recapture rate for walleye | 286/675 – over 40% |
| Recapture rate for goldeye/mooneye | 1/ 346 – less than 0.3 % |
| Number of different species caught | 10 (walleye, mooneye, goldeye, northern pike, burbot, sauger, longnose sucker, white sucker, shorthead redhorse, lake sturgeon.) |
| Number of volunteer hours spent angling | Over 1000 |
Concerns:
The walleye population in the NSR near Edmonton should be considered very vulnerable. The data indicates a relatively small population with little movement of fish between locations on the river. Additionally, there are far fewer fish captured than just a few years ago – based on records kept by the same set of anglers.
Mooneye and goldeye have a higher likelihood of mortality due to angling than walleye. A small delicate mouth and aggressive feeding behavior can lead to more damage from hooks.
What can be done:
Poaching
Angling regulations are clear that the limit for walleye in NSR is zero. We have seen evidence of poaching – either ignorance of the rules or blatant disregard. Poachers should be reported to the Report A Poacher line: 1-800-642-3800. This is a dedicated hotline for reporting illegal activities related to hunting and fishing in Alberta.
Fish Handling
Good fish handling techniques are effective and can increase the chance of survival after angling. Visit mywildalberta.ca or keepfishwet.org for more details. Some points to remember:
- Air exposure is a significant factor of release mortality. Reduce exposure to air as much as possible. The best practice is to keep fish in the water.
- Minimize the time that you ‘fight’ the fish.
- Prepare in advance to release your fish by choosing a hook that can be removed from the fish’s mouth easily and use a landing net to ensure a quick release. Consider barbless hooks.
- When releasing a fish, never throw it into the water. If you have to handle a fish, release it gently and headfirst.