Overview
Fish are cold-blooded vertebrates that strictly live in water. They breathe using special organs called gills. Fish are the third most numerous group of vertebrates in Alberta behind birds and mammals.
Fish play important roles in maintaining healthy aquatic ecosystems. Some of the fish species found in Alberta are classified as game fish and provide important fishing opportunities for sportfishing and subsistence harvest.
Major threats to fish include:
- altered stream flow
- blocked migration routes
- competition from introduced species
- habitat degradation and fragmentation
- harvest pressure
- introgression with non-native species
Walleye (Photo credit: Gordon Court)
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General status
In 2020, 52 native fish species were included in Alberta’s general status assessment (see Figures 1 and 2).
- 25 fish species (48%) were ranked secure
- Five fish species (10%) were ranked sensitive
- Three fish species (6%) were ranked may be at risk
- Nine species (17%) were ranked at risk
- One species (2%) was not assessed
- Nine species (17%) were undetermined
Between 2000 and 2020, 8 fish species were ranked with a decreased general status (may be at risk or at risk):
- Arctic Grayling (Thymallus arcticus)
- Athabasca Rainbow Trout (Oncorhynchus mykiss)
- Bull Trout (Salvelinus confluentus)
- Cutthroat Trout (Oncorhynchus lewisi)
- Pygmy Whitefish (Prosopium coulteri)
- Rocky Mountain Sculpin (Cottus bairdi)
- Shortjaw Cisco (Coregonus zenithicus)
- Western Silvery Minnow (Hybognathus argyritis)
Among all vertebrate groups, fish have the largest increase in the number of species ranked at risk between 2000 and 2020 (zero species in 2000 and 9 species in 2020 – see Figure 1).
Six previously ‘not assessed’ or ‘undetermined’ species were ranked between 2000 and 2020. The total number of native fish species reported in 2020 is lower compared to prior years, as 3 previously not assessed species were ranked exotic in 2020 (exotics are not shown in Figure 1).
Ten fish species (19%) remained ranked not assessed or undetermined in 2020 making this the largest proportion of species in these ranks among all vertebrate groups.
Among native fish found in Alberta, salmonids, sturgeon and catfish have the highest percentage of species ranked ‘at risk’ and ‘may be at risk’ (see Figure 3).
Detailed status
As of January 2024, 11 fish species have detailed status designations including 10 listings under Alberta’s Wildlife Act.
Ten fish species are listed as Threatened under the Wildlife Act:
- Athabasca Rainbow Trout (Oncorhynchus mykiss; threatened stocks include genetically pure native stocks in the Athabasca and Freeman River watersheds or from Rock, Mystery or Sphinx lakes)
- Brassy Minnow (Hybognathus hankinsoni)
- Bull Trout (Salvelinus confluentus)
- Lake Sturgeon (Acipenser fulvescens)
- Pygmy Whitefish (Prosopium coulteri)
- Shortjaw Cisco (Coregonus zenithicus)
- Rocky Mountain Sculpin (Cottus bairdi punctulatus)
- Stonecat (Noturus flavus)
- Western Silvery Minnow (Hybognathus argyritis)
- Westslope Cutthroat Trout (Oncorhynchus lewisi,formerly Oncorhynchus clarkii lewisi; threatened stocks include genetically pure native stocks in parts of the Oldman and Bow River watersheds and Picklejar Lakes)
One species, Arctic Grayling (Thymallus arcticus), has a detailed status of Special Concern.
Resources
Charts
Figure 1. Number of native fish species and their general status ranks in Alberta between 2000 and 2020
Chart data table
| Year | Secure | Sensitive | May be at risk | At risk | Not assessed | Undetermined |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2000 | 27 | 7 | 5 | 4 | 12 | |
| 2005 | 25 | 7 | 3 | 6 | 4 | 10 |
| 2010 | 25 | 7 | 2 | 7 | 4 | 10 |
| 2015 | 25 | 5 | 3 | 9 | 4 | 9 |
| 2020 | 25 | 5 | 3 | 9 | 1 | 9 |
Accessible chart description
Stacked bar graph showing the general status ranks of Alberta’s 52 native fish species over time in 5-year intervals from 2000 until the latest assessment in 2020. In 2020, 25 fish species (48%) were ranked secure, 5 fish species (10%) were ranked sensitive, 3 fish species (6%) were ranked may be at risk, 9 species (17%) were ranked at risk, 1 species (2%) was not assessed, and 9 species (17%) were undetermined. Between 2000 and 2020, 8 fish species were ranked with a decreased general status.
Figure 2. Proportion of general status ranks for Alberta’s native fish species in 2020
Chart data table
| General status rank | Count of species |
|---|---|
| Secure 48% | 25 |
| Sensitive 10% | 5 |
| May be at risk 6% | 3 |
| At risk 17% | 9 |
| Not assessed 2% | 1 |
| Undetermined 17% | 9 |
Accessible chart description
Pie chart showing the proportion of general status ranks for Alberta’s 52 native fish species in 2020. Total number of fish species and the respective percentage are provided for each general status rank. In 2020, 25 fish species (48%) were ranked secure, 5 fish species (10%) were ranked sensitive, 3 fish species (6%) were ranked may be at risk, 9 species (17%) were ranked at risk, 1 species (2%) was not assessed, and 9 species (17%) were undetermined.
Figure 3. Number of native fish species and their general status ranks by taxonomic order in 2020
Chart data table
| Fish species | Secure | Sensitive | May be at risk | At risk | Not assessed | Undetermined |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Trout-perch | 1 | |||||
| Sturgeon | 1 | |||||
| Sculpins | 2 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 2 | |
| Salmon, trout and whitefish | 3 | 1 | 1 | 5 | 1 | |
| Pike | 1 | |||||
| Perch and darters | 3 | 1 | 1 | |||
| Mooneyes | 2 | |||||
| Minnows, suckers, carp and loaches | 11 | 3 | 1 | 1 | 5 | |
| Lampreys | 1 | |||||
| Cod | 1 | |||||
| Catfish | 1 |
Accessible chart description
Stacked bar graph showing the general status ranks of Alberta’s fish species grouped by 11 taxonomic orders, including catfish, cod, lampreys, minnows/suckers/carp/loaches, mooneyes, perch/darters, pike, salmon/trout/whitefish, sculpins, sturgeon, and trout-perch. Minnows and allies make up the largest order of fish, followed by salmon and allies. Among all orders, salmonids, sturgeon and catfish have the highest percentage of species ranked ‘at risk’ and ‘may be at risk’.