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Timing Windows - Saskatchewan In-Water Closed Construction Timing Windows

Restricted activity timing windows have been identified for Saskatchewan lakes, rivers and streams to protect fish during spawning and incubation periods when spawning fish, eggs and fry are vulnerable to disturbance or sediment. During these periods, no in-water or shoreline work is allowed except under site- or project-specific review and with the implementation of protective measures. Restricted activity periods are determined on a case by case basis according to the species of fish in the water body, whether those fish spawn in the spring or fall/winter, and whether the water body is located in Northern, Central, or Southern Saskatchewan.

Timing windows are just one of many measures used to protect fish and fish habitat when carrying out a work or undertaking in or around water. Be sure to follow all of the measures outlined in the Operational Statements to avoid negative impacts to fish habitat.

Figure 1:
Northern, Central, and Southern Saskatchewan boundaries for in-water closed construction timing windows.
(Note: Central Region includes the Churchill River).

How To Determine Timing Windows

Determine the fish species living in the water body where you wish to do work. Consult Saskatchewan Environment or your local Fisheries and Oceans Canada (DFO) office.
Determine if the fish living in the water body spawn in the spring or fall/winter according to Table 1. There may be one or both spawning types in any given water body. In Saskatchewan, essentially all lakes and streams contain one or more of the spring spawning fish listed, however far fewer contain fall/winter spawning fish.
Determine if the water body is located in Northern, Central, or Southern Saskatchewan according to Figure 1.
Use Table 2 to determine the in-water work timing restrictions according to the location of a water body (Northern, Central or Southern) and the type of fish found within (spring or fall spawners). During these periods, no in-water work (below the ordinary high water mark) is to occur without site- or project-specific review by DFO.

Table 1: Common spring and fall/winter spawning fish.
Spring Spawning Fish	Fall/Winter Spawning Fish
Arctic Grayling Bullhead Goldeye Lake Sturgeon Mooneye Northern Pike Rainbow Trout Sauger Smallmouth Bass Suckers Walleye Yellow Perch	Brook Trout Brown Trout Burbot (winter) Cisco (Tullibee) Lake Trout Whitefish

Table 2a: Timing windows when no in-water work is to occur in order to protect spawning fish and developing eggs and fry.
Location	No Lake Sturgeon	Lake Sturgeon present
Spring Spawning Fish
Northern Saskatchewan	May 1 to July 15	May 1 to July 31
Central Saskatchewan	April 16 to June 30	April 16 to July 15
Southern Saskatchewan	April 1 to May 31	April 1 to July 15

Table 2b: Timing windows when no in-water work is to occur in order to protect spawning fish and developing eggs and fry.
Location	No Lake Trout	Lake Trout present
Fall/Winter Spawning Fish
Northern Saskatchewan	October 1 to July 15	September 1 to July 15
Central Saskatchewan	October 1 to June 30	September 15 to June 30
Southern Saskatchewan	October 1 to May 31	Not Applicable