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Fishing is one of the most popular outdoor activities for Ontario residents and visitors
alike. With a quarter million lakes and thousands of rivers and streams, Ontario offers a wide
range of angling opportunities.
Fishing is a great way for families • to spend time together
• to learn about the importance of healthy waters and fish communities to our quality
of life, and, • to promote greater appreciation of nature.
With a range of fishing experiences from walleye in remote northern lakes, to world class salmon
and trout fishing within an hour of Toronto, there is a fishing opportunity for everyone.
In the MNR's annual Fishing Regulations Summary you can find out how you can have a great
time fishing while helping to ensure the fishery is available for future generations.
The Summary is available online at ontario.ca/fishing.
Here are some tips for using the Ontario Fishing Regulations Summary.
To comply with the fishing regulations, follow these step-by-step instructions found on page
3.
Step 1. Make sure that you have a valid Ontario fishing licence.
Refer to pages 4 and 5 if you are a resident of Canada; page 6 if you live outside Canada.
Now that you have a valid Outdoors Card and fishing licence and a copy of the Fishing
Summary, the second thing to do is:
Step 2. Carefully read the General Regulations section, pages 7 to 13.
Here you will find information that applies to fishing in all Zones.
For Example: Pages 7 and 8 provide Definitions, and General
Prohibitions. Page 9 includes information on Ontario's Catch
and Retain Rules, as well as transporting and Packaging fish.
Page 10 has tips on Live Release of fish, and information on Bait.
Page 11 covers information on game Amphibians and Reptiles, Ice Fishing and Non-Angling
Methods. Page 12 contains information on Boundary and
Border waters, and Crown Land Camping. Page 13 explains laws to help Stop the Spread
of Invading Species and Disease.
Now that you have a valid Outdoors Card and fishing licence and you have read pages 7
to 13 in your copy of the Summary, the next thing to do is:
Step 3. Using the provincial map of Fisheries Management Zones on page 3, determine the
Zone in which you plan to fish. Then, for a more detailed map, go the section for the
Zone in which you plan to fish. (our example is Zone 15, found on page 68).
Step 4. Once you are in the section for the Zone in which you will be fishing, check the
Zone Regulations Table to determine: -the Open Season
-the Catch and Possession limits, AND, -the Size limits (IF applicable) for those
species in the Zone that you plan to target.
Step 5. Remember that most Catch and Possession limits and SOME Size limits are different
for a holder of a Sport Fishing Licence than for a holder of a Conservation Fishing Licence.
"S" - refers to catch and possession limits under a Sport Fishing Licence.
"C" - refers to catch and possession limits under a Conservation Fishing Licence.
For example, in Zone 15, if you want to fish for walleye the open season is from January
1st to March 15th AND the 3rd Saturday in May to December 31st.
If you have a Sport Fishing Licence you may catch and possess FOUR walleye AND not more
than ONE of those fish may be greater than 46 cm in total length.
If you have a Conservation Fishing Licence you may catch and possess only TWO walleye
AND not more than ONE of those fish may be greater than 46 cm in total length.
NOTE: all size limits refer to total length
Step 6. Remember to check the additional fishing opportunities for each Zone to make the most
of your fishing experience.
For example, in Zone 15 there are several lakes that are OPEN ALL YEAR for Brook Trout
and another group of lakes that are OPEN ALL YEAR for Lake Trout.
Step 7. Finally, check the Exceptions to the Regulations for the waters or general area
in which you will be fishing.
If there are any exceptions to the general regulations for the Zone, you must comply
with those exceptions.
For example: In Zone 15, if you are fishing for Lake Trout
the Open Season for the Zone is January 1st to September 30th.
With a Sport Fishing Licence you may catch and possess TWO fish, ANY size.
With a Conservation Fishing Licence you may catch and possess ONE fish, ANY size.
HOWEVER, the Exceptions to the Regulations tell us that if you are fishing on Big Trout
Lake in Longford Township Lake Trout is open from the 3rd Saturday in May to September
30th; you would follow the limits identified for the Zone.
NOTE: In some cases, lower limits or size limits stated in the exceptions apply only
to Sport Fishing Licence holders. If no Conservation Fishing Licence limit or size limit is stated
for exception waters, then the Conservation Licence limit is the same as for the rest
of the Zone for that species and can be found in the Zone Regulations Table.
Now you have your valid Outdoors Card and fishing licence and you have read the general
information in the Fishing Regulations Summary as well as determined the zone you are going
to fish in.
You also know the open seasons, catch and possession limits for your licence type, and
any applicable size limits, for the fish you will be targeting.
You have also checked for additional fishing opportunities in the zone and identified if
there are any exceptions to the zone-wide regulations for the specific waterbody you
plan to fish.
The LAST step applies especially to Non-Canadian residents fishing in northwestern Ontario
-- you must also check page 12 for special regulations.
The instructions I just explained are found in the front of the Fishing Regulations Summary
both in the paper version and in the online version.
If you are new to fishing or want to introduce a friend or family member to fishing, remember
Ontario offers licence-free fishing for a weekend each February and for a week each
July.
So read the Summary, follow the rules and share the fun of fishing. We'd love to meet
you on the water this year!