Ontarians consider the province’s diverse environments and fishing opportunities a point of pride. No matter where you live or come from, there are lakes, urban centers, and waterways across the region to enjoy the sport of fishing and angling.
Ontario’s government acknowledges this asset, hence its intentions to maintain well-stocked bodies of water for new angling opportunities, ensure sustainable fishing practices, and respect the fishing rights of Indigenous communities.
The Ministry of Northern Development, Mines, Natural Resources and Forestry (MNRF) operates through its fish culture and stocking program for this purpose. The ministry updates its fishing regulations annually, and this article will detail the changes made on January 1st of 2023 of which anglers should be aware.
How Ontario Fishing Regulations Are Structured
In addition to general regulations that cover the entire province, Ontario implements unique recreational fishing laws for 20 Fisheries Management Zones. Reference the official document here to determine which Zone your next fishing trip will take you and what regulations you must follow accordingly.
Each Zone’s regulations cover several topics:
- Seasons and limits are the regulations that apply to all species in all bodies of water within a Zone.
- Species and waterbody exceptions are exceptions to those limits that Ontario applies to allow additional opportunities to anglers.
- Bait restrictions prohibit the use of live bait in certain parts of the Zone.
- Fish sanctuaries ban fishing of any type within specific parts of the Zone.
Keep in mind that regulations may differ amongst recreational anglers, non-Canadian visitors, and Indigenous persons, so check the official document for tailored guidance.
An Overview of Ontario’s General Fishing Regulations
Most of Ontario’s general fishing laws remain consistent compared to previous years. We’ll summarize them here for your reference.
Fishing Licensing
Fishers must have a Recreational Fishing License and carry multiple forms of documentation that they must present to a conservation officer upon request, including an Outdoors Card and a License Summary that lists all your valid fishing and hunting licenses.
For recreational fishing, you can apply for either a sport license or conservation license if you want to keep your catches or plan to release them, respectively.
Ontario does specify that certain people are exempt from purchasing a fishing license and may use alternative documents instead. These individuals include:
- Children under 18 or adults over 64
- Members of The Canadian National Institute for the Blind (CNIB)
- Those with disabilities who need someone else to assist them while fishing
- Those who have an accessible parking permit
- Active members or veterans of the Canadian Armed Forces
- Indigenous communities, who have a constitutional right to fish
Ontario also offers several holidays where a fishing license is not necessary, including Mother’s Day Weekend, Father’s Day Weekend, Family Fishing Weekend, and Ontario Family Fishing Week.
Otherwise, be prepared to apply for an Outdoors Card and pay the appropriate Licensing fee for your situation. Exact amounts are available in the official document.
Prohibitions
Ontario sets laws that ban and regulate various fishing-related activities. Consult the document for information on:
- The total number of fish you are allowed to possess and store
- The circumstances in which you may catch and release to ensure released specimens can survive in the wild
- Packaging and transporting catches
- Laws regarding alternate methods of fishing, such as ice fishing, nets, spears, and longbows.
Handling Bait
Separate from the 20 Fisheries Management Zones are 4 Bait Management Zones (BMZs). You may not transport baitfish or leeches across BMZ borders. This regulation intends to minimize the impact of invasive species and stop the spread of fish diseases.
Ontario’s Invasive Species Act
Anglers and fishers should take precautions so that they do not spread invasive species that may harm the province’s biodiversity. Ontario specifically bans the possession, transport, or sale of certain species of fish and plants.
What Changed This Year?
As an angler, the question you’re probably asking is what changes to the laws fishers should know about this year. The notable differences are within the 20 Fisheries Management Zones, their definitions, and the laws that apply to them. The changes, written in red within the official document, are as follows:
-
Zone 5. Brown Trout has been added to the Zone-wide Seasons and Limits. Anglers with a sport license may possess up to 5 specimens, while those with a conservation license can carry up to 2.
-
Zone 6. The Brook Trout is now a Species Exception for the Goodmorning Lakes North And South and Nunya Lake. The Rainbow Trout is as well for Danielle Lake, Dennis Lake, Sandybeach Lake, and Ursus Lake.
-
Zone 7. The Rainbow Trout is now a Species Exception for Centennial Lake, Dragline Lake, and North Twin Lake. Fishing is also banned entirely at Borealis Lake.
-
Zone 8. Fishing is banned in Big Club Lake, Lake 57, Nayowin Lake, Pack Can Lake, and Pallet Lake.
-
Zone 10. Rainbow Trout is now a Species Exception for Bridget Lake. New Waterbody Exceptions this year include Carol Lake and Lake 21, though fishing is not allowed from January 1st to July 31st and October 16th to December 31st. Live bait is also no longer allowed in these two areas.
-
Zone 11. Liberty Lake is now a Waterbody Exception, though fishing is not allowed from January 1st to July 31st and October 16th to December 31st. Live bait is also no longer allowed on this lake.
-
Zone 12. Lake Trout and Splake have new limits: sport license owners may carry up to 2 at a time, and conservation licensees may only have one.
Additional Resources For Current and Aspiring Anglers
Don’t forget that you can visit a local Service Ontario Centre for hunting and fishing permits and licenses. Also available are specialized service providers for other needs, such as commercial bait fish licenses and licenses to transport or possess live fish.
You can also contact the Natural Resources Information and Support Centre for additional information on Ontario’s licensing and Outdoors Cards.
