65 Years of Trophy Tales: Celebrating Manitoba's Master Angler Program

The Manitoba Master Angler program turns 65 this year and is the oldest and longest-running and most established angler recognition programs in North America.

The program was initiated in 1958 by the Neepawa Game and Fish Association as a way to formally recognize trophy fish caught within the province. By 1960, the provincial tourism department (now Travel Manitoba) assumed responsibility for maintaining official records, beginning what would become an enduring relationship between Manitoba’s tourism industry and its world-class angling opportunities.

In its early years, the program awarded badges and certificates to anglers who caught trophy-sized fish across seven species. That first year saw 480 qualifying submissions, modest by today’s standards, but it was clear from the outset that the initiative tapped into a powerful culture of pride and passion among local and visiting anglers.

As interest in Manitoba's lakes and rivers grew, so too did the Master Angler program. It became a valuable marketing and conservation tool, helping position the province as a premier fishing destination. The program provided a formal structure to recognize angling skill while quietly encouraging sustainable practices long before “catch and release” became common language in recreational fishing.

By the mid-1980s, the program had outgrown manual tracking. In 1986, it was computerized for the first time to better handle its growing popularity and by 1987 automated awards were being issued. The move not only streamlined administration but allowed for long-term data collection and trend analysis, transforming the Master Angler program into a valuable resource for fisheries management and tourism planning.

Throughout the 1990s, the number of eligible species expanded and participation increased steadily. In 1999, the program received over 11,700 submissions for fish in 28 species categories. By 2006, this number had climbed to more than 13,000 trophy entries representing 30 different species, solidifying the program's reputation as both inclusive and credible.

One of the defining shifts in the Master Angler program came in the early 1990s with the decision to begin tracking catch-and-release practices. In 1991, just 65% of registered entries were released back into the water. Today, that number sits at a remarkable 92%. The introduction of the Catch-and-Release badge, awarded to those who choose to release a qualifying fish, helped promote and reinforce this conservation ethic across the angling community.

This long-term commitment to sustainability is one of the Master Angler program’s proudest legacies, supporting healthy fish populations and reinforcing Manitoba’s position as a leader in ethical angling.

In 2002, the Master Angler program introduced the Li’l Angler Program, allowing young fishers to participate in the same spirit of recognition and accomplishment. This initiative broadened the reach of the program and helped cultivate a new generation of anglers in Manitoba.

Complementing this was the introduction of Master Angler merchandise in 2007–08, giving participants another way to celebrate and showcase their accomplishments. Prior to that, branded items were limited, such as card decks issued as keepsakes.

By 2015, the Master Angler database had documented over 250,000 trophy fish. Today, that number has nearly doubled to more than 481,000 registered entries, with new submissions continuing to arrive from anglers across Manitoba and beyond. The program maintains an annual average of 10,000 entries, with year-over-year consistency reflecting the enduring appeal of the program across generations.

The program has become part of the province’s tourism fabric, its data is frequently referenced in conservation efforts and its legacy continues to shape how Manitoba presents its freshwater fishing credentials to the world.

As it enters its seventh decade, the Master Angler program stands as a model for how recreational recognition can align with tourism development, conservation goals and community engagement. It is at once a database, a historical archive and a celebration of Manitoba’s natural assets and the people who treasure them.

The future of the program involves further digital enhancements, continued alignment with sustainability practices and new ways to engage younger and more diverse angler communities. But at its heart, the spirit of the Master Angler program remains unchanged: to recognize the passion, patience and pride that go into every great catch.