What We Heard report released on proposed Little Atlin Lake fishing regulation amendments

Press Release

March 20, 2025

The Government of Yukon has released a What We Heard report summarizing public feedback on the proposed changes to fishing regulations for Little Atlin Lake.

Little Atlin Lake, in south-central Yukon, experiences high recreational fishing pressure due to its proximity to Whitehorse. In order to protect the lake trout population, the Government of Yukon in collaboration with the Yukon Fish and Wildlife Management Board is proposing to amend fishing regulations in this area. Proposed changes include:

• implementing a harvest slot (allowable fish size) for lake trout from 58.5 cm (585 mm or 23 in) to 65 cm (650 mm or 25.6 in);
• implementing a seasonal closure for lake trout on Little Atlin Lake from July 1 until November 30; and
• requiring the use of single-point barbless hooks for all fishing on Little Atlin Lake.

The public engagement was launched in collaboration with the Yukon Fish and Wildlife Management Board to learn whether Yukoners support the proposed changes. It ran from November 18, 2024, to January 17, 2025. Yukoners and stakeholders were invited to attend information sessions or complete an online survey.

Of the 132 total survey respondents who participated in the engagement:

• 91.7 per cent of respondents indicated support for the recommended harvest slot for lake trout;
• 76.5 per cent of respondents indicated support for the proposed seasonal closure; and
• 84.1 per cent of respondents indicated support for the proposed requirement of single point barbless hooks.

During the public engagement process, feedback received also focused on four main themes: education; evidence-based management; enforcement and compliance; and broad versus targeted measures.

Input obtained from this public engagement will inform educational efforts and potential regulatory changes for the 2025–26 fishing season, which will be reflected in the Yukon fishing regulations summary.

Thank you to Yukoners for taking the time and effort to learn and provide feedback on the proposed regulation amendments for Little Atlin Lake. The Government of Yukon remains committed to working with our management partners, Yukon First Nations and the public to ensure fish populations remain sustainable and are appreciated by future generations.

Minister of Environment Nils Clarke

The Board appreciates the thoughtful feedback provided during this public engagement. The strong support for these regulation changes demonstrates that Yukoners are deeply committed to keeping Little Atlin Lake’s fish populations healthy for future generations. We applaud the Department’s forward-thinking approach, which incorporates local and traditional knowledge with scientific evidence and includes plans for continued monitoring. The Board will continue working with all our partners to ensure the management of our freshwater fisheries balance conservation with angling opportunities.

Yukon Fish and Wildlife Management Board Chair Michelle Dawson-Beattie

Quick facts

• The public engagement ran from November 18, 2024, to January 17, 2025. Yukoners and stakeholders were invited to attend information sessions or complete an online survey.
• Letters of support for the proposed changes were provided earlier in the process by Carcross/Tagish Renewable Resources Council and Taku River Tlingit First Nation.
• The Government of Yukon sent consultation letters to Carcross/Tagish First Nation, Carcross/Tagish Renewable Resources Council, Taku River Tlingit First Nation and the Yukon Fish and Wildlife Management Board on November 20, 2024.
• A harvest slot refers to a regulation that restricts individuals from keeping fish outside a certain size range. This means that fish that fall within this “slot” – typically between a minimum and maximum length – may be kept, while fish outside of this range must be released back into the water.
• The fishery status report for Little Atlin Lake was published in 2023 and documented the population concerns around lake trout in Little Atlin Lake. The proposed fishing regulation amendments for Little Atlin Lake stem from recommendations from this report.

Media contact

Laura Seeley
Cabinet Communications
867-332-7627
laura.seeley@yukon.ca

Linea Volkering
Communications, Environment
867-332-2688
linea.volkering@yukon.ca

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