This long-lived, slowly reproducing species has been experiencing long-term declines. In 2007 it was designated a Threatened species under Alberta's Wildlife Act, and also in 2007, COSEWIC recommended an Endangered designation for the Saskatchewan River population in Canada (pending listing under the Species at Risk Act).

In Alberta, a recovery plan is under development; an earlier Lake Sturgeon Management Plan was completed in 1996. The lake sturgeon populations in the North and South Saskatchewan rivers are being managed under different regulations starting in 1997. There is a zero catch limit is in effect for sturgeon in both the North Saskatchewan and South Saskatchewan Rivers.

For more information on management and recovery planning for lake sturgeon, see:

• Lake Sturgeon
• Lake Sturgeon Management Plan
• Recovery Plans

In Alberta, this species only occurs in one location, Barrow Lake, found in northeastern Alberta. It was designated as Threatened in Alberta in 2007; this species occurs in several provinces outside of Alberta and is also listed as Threatened under the federal Species at Risk Act.

A provincial recovery plan was approved in 2007 and is now in the implementation stage. Federal recovery planning is in process.

For more information on recovery planning for shortjaw cisco, see:

• Recovery Plans
• Shortjaw Cisco

Once confused with the shorthead sculpin, the St. Mary sculpin is considered to be a distinct species. This fish was designated as Threatened in Alberta in 2007, and is also listed as Threatened under the federal Species at Risk Act.

Joint provincial and federal recovery planning is being carried out by the Milk River Fish Species Recovery Team.

For more information on recovery planning for St. Mary sculpin, see:

• Recovery Plans

In Alberta, this species only occurs in the Milk River drainage. It was designated as Threatened in Alberta in 2007.

A provincial recovery plan is being developed by the Milk River Fish Species Recovery Team.

For more information on recovery planning for stonecat, see:

• Recovery Plans

Little is known about the biology of western silvery minnow. It was designated as Threatened in Alberta in 2007, and is also listed as Threatened under the federal Species at Risk Act.

Joint provincial and federal recovery planning is being carried out by the Milk River Fish Species Recovery Team. A provincial recovery plan was approved in October 2008 and is now in the implementation stage; a federal recovery plan was also approved in 2008.

For more information on recovery planning for western silvery minnow, see:

• Recovery Plans

Also visit the Government of Canada Species at Risk Public Registry website at:

• Species Profile: Western Silvery Minnow

Although introduced stocks of cutthroat trout are relatively abundant, pure, native stocks, known as westslope cutthroat trout, are at risk because of their restricted and fragmented distribution and continuing declines.

The native stocks of this species have been approved for listing as Threatened in Alberta under the Wildlife Act (awaiting legislative amendment), and have also been recommended by COSEWIC for listing as Threatened under the federal Species At Risk Act (listing is pending).

Joint provincial and federal recovery planning is in process.

For more information on recovery planning for westslope cutthroat trout, see:

• Cutthroat Trout
• Recovery Plans

The Arctic grayling is designated as a Species of Special Concern in Alberta as a result of its vulnerability to angling pressure and habitat destruction.

The Fisheries Management Division first developed a species management and recovery plan in 1997; the status of various populations is under review and an updated management plan is being written.

Preliminary indications are that the species has not responded to the 30 centimetre minimum size limit (with a daily limit of five grayling) introduced in 1987.

For more information on Arctic grayling and its management, see:

• Arctic Grayling

The bull trout is designated as a Species of Special Concern in Alberta.

A Bull Trout Species Management and Recovery Plan was prepared in 1995; the status of various populations is under review and the management plan is currently being updated. A zero limit has been placed on bull trout in Alberta until such time as there is a harvestable surplus.

A major information and education initiative has been ongoing since the 1995 management plan was completed. The slogan “No black, put it back!” has been developed to reinforce the zero catch limit, as bull trout do not have any black spots or marks on their dorsal fins.

Trout Unlimited Canada has embarked on an extensive sign campaign along streams throughout the entire eastern slopes of the Rocky Mountains in Alberta to caution anglers not to keep any bull trout.

For more information on bull trout and its management, see:

• Bull Trout

The pygmy whitefish is known from Waterton Lakes and a few locations in the Athabasca River drainage. Virtually nothing is known about the biology of this species in Alberta.

In 2000 this species was designated a Data Deficient species by the Endangered Species Conservation Committee. A small number were captured during targeted field work in 2008, and a re-evaluation of the species' status is planned for the near future.

The brassy minnow is known from a few locations in the Milk River drainage and some isolated locations in northern Alberta only.

The status of this species should be assessed in greater detail.

The deepwater sculpin is not yet classified, but its status is of some concern. It is known only from Waterton Lakes in Waterton Lakes National Park.

This species has been assessed by COSEWIC and found to be Not At Risk in Canada.

Alberta's Golden Trout Management Plan was completed in 1995 for this species, as it is considered to be of particular management concern. Alberta is the only Canadian province with golden trout. The species was first introduced in 1959 from its native alpine lakes in California.

The plan is being implemented to conserve this unique species and at the same time provide some special fishing opportunities by way of restrictive angling regulations. See:

• Golden Trout

Smallmouth bass were stocked into Island Lake (near Smoky Lake) between 1977 and 1984. Until 1989 there was some evidence of natural reproduction.

It is not known whether this population is self-sustaining at the present time. However it is presumed there are a few fish left. As this is a non-native species, no special monitoring is planned.