There has been some debate online with regard to the barbed hooks question lately.
The confusion is the result of a mix up between the Provincial Government of Alberta and the Federal Government of Canada.
Hopefully we can clear up some of the confusion.
Are Barbed Hooks Legal in Alberta?
Yes, it is legal to use barbed hooks in Alberta.
It was illegal from April 2004 to September 2011.
A province wide ban was put in place in 2004. Then in 2011, Fisheries and Oceans Canada made an amendment to the federal regulations that unintentionally removed the ban on barbed hooks in Alberta.
For a period of time after the legal change, hundreds of anglers were incorrectly fined, then rectified later on.
So at the moment, you will not be fined for fishing with a barbed hook. Using the barbs is a personal choice.
Most fishing hooks sold in Alberta stores are barbed because they are manufactured outside of Canada. Even when barbed hooks were illegal, it was your responsibility to crush the barbs with a tool like pliers.
It is still recommended and encouraged to crush your barbs anyway, regardless of the legal status. Especially for catch and release.
There are pros and cons for using or not using barbs. It is up to you to use common sense and use them in the right circumstances.
In Summary
- Barbed hooks used to be banned from 2004 to 2011.
- It is currently legal to use barbed hooks in Alberta.
- The government of Alberta did not technically remove the ban, but an update to the federal laws made it legal in Alberta.
- Helpful reading: How Do I Get A Fishing License In Alberta?
