PROSPECTIVE Canada Lake Winnipeg South Basin and Channel walleye and lake whitefish – gillnet

This FIP involves the commercial gillnet walleye and lake whitefish fishery on Lake Winnipeg’s channel and south basin located in Manitoba, Canada. An MSC pre-assessment was completed in November 2024. This FIP includes two units of assessment as follows: south basin and channel walleye, and south basin and channel lake whitefish. Stock assessments have been completed and reviewed externally. The south basin and channel walleye stock is being harvested at or near maximum sustainable yield. The south basin and channel lake whitefish stock is also being harvested at or near maximum sustainable yield. Habitat impact from commercial fishing activity is considered to be minimal. Commercial fishing activity is not expected to cause irreversible harm to key ecosystem elements including fish community structure, although continued monitoring and research would be beneficial. A fisheries management plan with a responsive harvest strategy is needed. Additional information on impacts on non-target species and ETP species is also needed. The management agency (Province of Manitoba) is working with fishers and partners, such as Indigenous Services Canada, to address deficiencies outlined in the MSC pre-assessment.