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Notices and Resources


Notices



March 30, 2021 - Zebra Mussels have been found in moss or decorative algal balls sold for aquarium, water garden and decorative plant use: Steps to treat and dispose of moss or algal balls, including revised Government of Canada methods to treat container, contents, equipment and water



Bait, Bait Use and Aquatic Invasive Species

Bait use in Aquatic Invasive Species Control Zones - updated February 6, 2020.

When using bait in an AIS Control Zone, only bring the live bait you are going to use on that water body. Any bait you take with you to an AIS Control Zone MUST be discarded BEFORE you leave the shore if it:

  • is live
  • has been handled (i.e., hooked) or
  • has come into contact with surface water from the control zone

Anglers cannot kill live bait in an AIS Control Zone and then remove it for any future use.  

These live-bait disposal requirements applies even if you have a valid 3-day live bait fish-transfer-and-use receipt. Also all water from the bait container must be drained before leaving the shore.

Only commercially-supplied dead bait used on an AIS Control Zone can be retained by anglers for future use IF it has NOT:

  • been handled (i.e., hooked) or
  • come into contact with surface water

Revised: January 19, 2021

Crayfish

Possession of crayfish is prohibited in Manitoba. Crayfish, or what may commonly be referred to as "crawdads" or "crawfish," cannot be used as bait.

The Manitoba Fishery Regulations, 1987 Section 14(1), under the federal Fisheries Act

What can be used as bait?

Please refer to the Manitoba Anglers' Guide for more information about bait and bait use.

It is also NOT recommended to purchase frozen fish from a grocery store to use as bait. In some cases, harmful diseases not killed by the freezing process, can spread to native fish.



Set fines for AIS offences are in effect year-round.

Enforcement officers may issue a ticket with a set fine for an offence that may introduce or spread aquatic invasive species (AIS) in Manitoba. Individuals and corporations can now face set fine for a variety of offences. Set fines range from $174 to $2,542 and are in effect year-round.

Fines under the Preset Fines and Offence Descriptions Regulation

Examples of offences and set fine amounts for individuals are below:


AIS Offenses Under The Water Protection Act 

Fine amount

Failure to possess a Transportation Authorization until watercraft or water-related equipment has been decontaminated

$174

Failure to remove the drain plug or valve when transporting watercraft overland (with the exception of plugs used in onboard kitchen or washroom facilities)

$237

Failure to drain the water from water-related equipment before leaving the shore of the water body

Failure to be free of AIS, aquatic plant and water prior to launching into a water body

$486

Failure to put remaining bait that was used in an AIS Control Zone in the trash before leaving the shore of the water body

$672

Failure for an operator of a motor vehicle transporting a watercraft to proceed directly to a watercraft inspection station

Possessing an aquatic invasive species in Manitoba

$1,296

Failure to ensure water-related equipment is dried completely (or decontaminated) before placing into another water body

Depositing or releasing an aquatic invasive species into Manitoba

$2,542

Failure to decontaminate watercraft or water-related equipment used in an AIS Control Zone prior to placing the equipment into another water body

Are you compliant with provincial AIS requirements? Find out what the AIS requirements are in the open water season and the winter (ice-covered) season.

Media Release



Removing Zebra Mussels from Shorelines

If you are looking to remove Zebra Mussels from shorelines such as your beachfront property, you must have an Aquatic Invasive Species (AIS) permit. AIS permits are reviewed on a case-by-case basis and may contain unique permit conditions.

To obtain an AIS permit, please be prepared to provide:

  • identifying information (i.e., name, address, email and / or phone number),
  • planned Zebra Mussel disposal method.

To apply for a permit, please contact: AIS@gov.mb.ca



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