Every spring, millions of baby walleye are released into lakes and reservoirs across Saskatchewan in an effort to support recreational fishing opportunities. However, fisheries officials say only a small fraction of these fish survive long enough to reach adulthood, highlighting both the challenges of fish stocking programs and the importance of ongoing investments in hatchery operations.
Walleye remains Saskatchewan’s most sought-after sport fish, and provincial officials are looking to expand access for anglers through improvements to fish-rearing facilities. The Saskatchewan Ministry of Environment recently introduced a new habitat certificate, which anglers must purchase alongside their fishing licences. Revenue generated from the certificate will help fund operations at the Saskatchewan Fish Hatchery and support future expansion plans.
According to Matt Tyree, Saskatchewan’s director of fisheries, the additional funding could allow the hatchery to raise fish beyond the fragile fry stage before releasing them into lakes and reservoirs.
“Walleye is the most popular game fish in Saskatchewan and anglers want as much opportunity as they can, without having to drive long distances from home,” Tyree said.
The new habitat certificate costs $20 for a full fishing season and $5 for anglers purchasing one-day or three-day licences. Provincial officials hope the investment will help increase survival rates by enabling fish to be stocked at a larger fingerling size.
Currently, newly hatched walleye fry measure only about a quarter-inch in length and face significant challenges in the wild. Saskatchewan Fish Hatchery manager Nelson Bergh explained that fewer than 10 percent survive after being released, which is why large numbers must be stocked at once.
Recently, Bergh released 150,000 walleye fry into a reservoir near Craik, Saskatchewan. Once in the water, the tiny fish must navigate predators, changing environmental conditions, and limited food sources as they grow.
“You’re exposing them to all sorts of different hazards in the natural environment, and it’s a gauntlet for them to run to be able to grow and live to an adult size or catchable size,” Bergh said.
The hatchery also raises trout fingerlings, which are stocked at a larger size and enjoy much higher survival rates. According to Bergh, approximately 75 to 80 percent of stocked trout survive due to their greater size and resilience.
Not every lake in Saskatchewan requires stocking. Many water bodies naturally sustain fish populations through successful reproduction. However, man-made reservoirs and certain lakes lack the conditions necessary for natural walleye reproduction, making hatchery stocking essential.
Tyree noted that most stocked walleye are introduced into waters where the species would not otherwise exist. Anglers generally need to wait about three years after stocking before the fish grow large enough to be regularly caught.
The scale of the program is significant. In 2025, nearly 6.4 million fish were stocked into 96 lakes, reservoirs, and other water bodies across Saskatchewan. Hatchery staff travel extensively during the stocking season, covering more than 25,000 kilometres between April and July. Some trips involve drives of up to 15 hours one way to deliver trout to remote locations.
The province’s fish-stocking program plays a vital role in supporting recreational fishing, local tourism, and outdoor recreation. With additional funding now available through the habitat certificate, officials hope future hatchery expansions will improve fish survival rates and provide even greater angling opportunities across Saskatchewan.