{"id":3115,"date":"2024-12-18T07:23:45","date_gmt":"2024-12-18T13:23:45","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/edmonton.name\/?p=3115"},"modified":"2024-12-18T07:23:48","modified_gmt":"2024-12-18T13:23:48","slug":"the-history-of-fishing-in-alberta-and-edmonton","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/edmonton.name\/en\/eternal-3115-the-history-of-fishing-in-alberta-and-edmonton","title":{"rendered":"The History of Fishing in Alberta and Edmonton"},"content":{"rendered":"\n<p>European settlers were among the first to engage in fishing in Canada. Today, this industry continues to support significant regions. In Edmonton, fishing often yields large catches and substantial financial benefits. Read more on <a href=\"https:\/\/edmonton.name\/\" data-type=\"link\" data-id=\"https:\/\/edmonton.name\/\">edmonton.name<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<div id=\"ez-toc-container\" class=\"ez-toc-v2_0_74 counter-hierarchy ez-toc-counter ez-toc-custom ez-toc-container-direction\">\n<label for=\"ez-toc-cssicon-toggle-item-6a3fffabd1f59\" class=\"ez-toc-cssicon-toggle-label\"><span class=\"\"><span class=\"eztoc-hide\" style=\"display:none;\">Toggle<\/span><span class=\"ez-toc-icon-toggle-span\"><svg style=\"fill: #999;color:#999\" xmlns=\"http:\/\/www.w3.org\/2000\/svg\" class=\"list-377408\" width=\"20px\" height=\"20px\" viewBox=\"0 0 24 24\" fill=\"none\"><path d=\"M6 6H4v2h2V6zm14 0H8v2h12V6zM4 11h2v2H4v-2zm16 0H8v2h12v-2zM4 16h2v2H4v-2zm16 0H8v2h12v-2z\" fill=\"currentColor\"><\/path><\/svg><svg style=\"fill: #999;color:#999\" class=\"arrow-unsorted-368013\" xmlns=\"http:\/\/www.w3.org\/2000\/svg\" width=\"10px\" height=\"10px\" viewBox=\"0 0 24 24\" version=\"1.2\" baseProfile=\"tiny\"><path d=\"M18.2 9.3l-6.2-6.3-6.2 6.3c-.2.2-.3.4-.3.7s.1.5.3.7c.2.2.4.3.7.3h11c.3 0 .5-.1.7-.3.2-.2.3-.5.3-.7s-.1-.5-.3-.7zM5.8 14.7l6.2 6.3 6.2-6.3c.2-.2.3-.5.3-.7s-.1-.5-.3-.7c-.2-.2-.4-.3-.7-.3h-11c-.3 0-.5.1-.7.3-.2.2-.3.5-.3.7s.1.5.3.7z\"\/><\/svg><\/span><\/span><\/label><input type=\"checkbox\"  id=\"ez-toc-cssicon-toggle-item-6a3fffabd1f59\"  aria-label=\"Toggle\" \/><nav><ul class='ez-toc-list ez-toc-list-level-1 ' ><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-2'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-1\" href=\"https:\/\/edmonton.name\/en\/eternal-3115-the-history-of-fishing-in-alberta-and-edmonton\/#Early_Days_of_Fishing\" >Early Days of Fishing<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-2'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-2\" href=\"https:\/\/edmonton.name\/en\/eternal-3115-the-history-of-fishing-in-alberta-and-edmonton\/#English_Fishing_Tactics\" >English Fishing Tactics<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-2'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-3\" href=\"https:\/\/edmonton.name\/en\/eternal-3115-the-history-of-fishing-in-alberta-and-edmonton\/#Fishing_in_Alberta\" >Fishing in Alberta<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-2'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-4\" href=\"https:\/\/edmonton.name\/en\/eternal-3115-the-history-of-fishing-in-alberta-and-edmonton\/#Management_of_Fisheries_in_Alberta\" >Management of Fisheries in Alberta<\/a><\/li><\/ul><\/nav><\/div>\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"Early_Days_of_Fishing\"><\/span>Early Days of Fishing<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p>By 1763, Canada was home to diverse nationalities, including Europeans, English, and French. Fishing began as early as the 16th century, with cod being the most prized catch in Edmonton due to its easy accessibility. Early fishers would salt and dry their catch, preparing it for long-distance transportation. Fishing operations took place directly from boats using hooks. By the end of the 16th century, English and French settlers began competing in the trade. Although their economic goals were similar, the English and French employed different fishing methods.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"English_Fishing_Tactics\"><\/span>English Fishing Tactics<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h2>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-full\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"1600\" height=\"1032\" src=\"https:\/\/cdn.edmonton.name\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/41\/2024\/12\/1-21.jpg\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-3116\" srcset=\"https:\/\/cdn.edmonton.name\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/41\/2024\/12\/1-21.jpg 1600w, https:\/\/cdn.edmonton.name\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/41\/2024\/12\/1-21-300x194.jpg 300w, https:\/\/cdn.edmonton.name\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/41\/2024\/12\/1-21-768x495.jpg 768w, https:\/\/cdn.edmonton.name\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/41\/2024\/12\/1-21-1536x991.jpg 1536w, https:\/\/cdn.edmonton.name\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/41\/2024\/12\/1-21-696x449.jpg 696w, https:\/\/cdn.edmonton.name\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/41\/2024\/12\/1-21-1068x689.jpg 1068w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 1600px) 100vw, 1600px\" \/><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<p>Initially, English fishing efforts were concentrated at fish stations in protected harbors along the southeastern coast of Newfoundland. Each station appointed a &#8220;fishing admiral&#8221; to oversee operations. Fish were caught near the shore using small boats. The day\u2019s catch was brought ashore, cleaned, lightly salted, and dried on open-air platforms. This method, known as &#8220;dry fishery,&#8221; produced dried cod suitable for trading on distant markets.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>By the 17th century, British fishing vessels began transporting passengers to Newfoundland, where they would fish from small boats. Eventually, instead of carrying fishers back to Britain, these ships started transporting trade goods, primarily fish.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"Fishing_in_Alberta\"><\/span>Fishing in Alberta<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h2>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-full\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"1500\" height=\"1000\" src=\"https:\/\/cdn.edmonton.name\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/41\/2024\/12\/2-16.jpg\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-3119\" srcset=\"https:\/\/cdn.edmonton.name\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/41\/2024\/12\/2-16.jpg 1500w, https:\/\/cdn.edmonton.name\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/41\/2024\/12\/2-16-300x200.jpg 300w, https:\/\/cdn.edmonton.name\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/41\/2024\/12\/2-16-768x512.jpg 768w, https:\/\/cdn.edmonton.name\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/41\/2024\/12\/2-16-696x464.jpg 696w, https:\/\/cdn.edmonton.name\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/41\/2024\/12\/2-16-1068x712.jpg 1068w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 1500px) 100vw, 1500px\" \/><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<p>Fish first appeared in Alberta approximately 13,000 years ago, near the end of the Ice Age. The retreating glaciers connected Alberta\u2019s waterways to biologically significant lakes and the Mississippi River. Waterways such as the North and South Saskatchewan Rivers, and the now-vanished Edmonton Lake, facilitated the migration of fish species. As a result, Alberta&#8217;s fish species closely resemble those found in Manitoba and Saskatchewan.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Commercial fishing in Alberta began in the late 1800s. The first official fishing license was issued in 1910, with significant activity starting in 1917. At that time, lake whitefish was the most sought-after and expensive species in Alberta, with dried whitefish commanding even higher market prices than fresh catches.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>From the 1940s onward, commercial fishing operations were concentrated in bodies of water such as Lake Athabasca, Cold Lake, and Lac La Biche.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Despite the resilience of Alberta\u2019s fish species to challenging weather conditions, scientists found that fishing pressure and human-induced habitat changes threatened fish populations.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"Management_of_Fisheries_in_Alberta\"><\/span>Management of Fisheries in Alberta<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p>Fisheries management in Alberta only developed in recent decades. Early settlers considered the province\u2019s natural resources, including fish, to be inexhaustible. However, by the second half of the 20th century, severe depletion of fish stocks became evident. This led to the establishment of regulatory bodies to manage fish resources and enforce fishing regulations.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>In 1956, general licenses for sport fishing were introduced in Alberta and Edmonton, likely as a means of tracking the number of fishers in the province. That same year, biologists set out to prove that fish populations were declining over time. Their findings prompted the creation of protective laws for Alberta&#8217;s waterways and fish species. Special commissions were also established to ensure fishers complied with these laws.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Today, these regulations and management practices play a vital role in preserving Alberta\u2019s rich fishing heritage for future generations.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>European settlers were among the first to engage in fishing in Canada. Today, this industry continues to support significant regions. In Edmonton, fishing often yields large catches and substantial financial benefits. Read more on edmonton.name. Early Days of Fishing By 1763, Canada was home to diverse nationalities, including Europeans, English, and French. Fishing began as [&hellip;]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":461,"featured_media":3125,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[335],"tags":[1724,1725,1719,1718,1717,1714,1716,1715,1723,1721,1720,1722,1712,1713,1726],"moimportance":[33],"motype":[325],"moformat":[18],"class_list":{"0":"post-3115","1":"post","2":"type-post","3":"status-publish","4":"format-standard","5":"has-post-thumbnail","7":"category-innovations","8":"tag-alberta-fish-species","9":"tag-alberta-fisheries","10":"tag-cold-lake-fishing","11":"tag-commercial-fishing-edmonton","12":"tag-edmonton-fishing","13":"tag-edmonton-fishing-laws","14":"tag-fish-population-decline","15":"tag-fishing-history-alberta","16":"tag-fishing-licenses-alberta","17":"tag-fishing-regulations","18":"tag-lac-la-biche-fishing","19":"tag-lake-athabasca-fishing","20":"tag-lake-whitefish-alberta","21":"tag-sport-fishing-alberta","22":"tag-sustainable-fishing-alberta","23":"moimportance-retranslyacziya-v-agregatory","24":"motype-eternal","25":"moformat-vlasna"},"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/edmonton.name\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/3115","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/edmonton.name\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/edmonton.name\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/edmonton.name\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/461"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/edmonton.name\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=3115"}],"version-history":[{"count":1,"href":"https:\/\/edmonton.name\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/3115\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":3128,"href":"https:\/\/edmonton.name\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/3115\/revisions\/3128"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/edmonton.name\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/3125"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/edmonton.name\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=3115"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/edmonton.name\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=3115"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/edmonton.name\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=3115"},{"taxonomy":"moimportance","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/edmonton.name\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/moimportance?post=3115"},{"taxonomy":"motype","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/edmonton.name\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/motype?post=3115"},{"taxonomy":"moformat","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/edmonton.name\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/moformat?post=3115"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}