More Information
Highlights of Ontario's Fishing Regulations
Note: additional definitions are available in Ontario's Recreational Fishing Regulations Summary.
Additional Fishing Opportunities
There are some waters where regulations for certain species are more liberal than the Zone regulations. These include areas where anglers may fish for a species during part or all of the time when the season is generally closed in the Zone and include extended seasons or open all year seasons for some species. Often these additional opportunities are provided through fish stocking.
Aggregate Limits
Aggregate limits are catch and possession limits for a combination of fish species. Where there are aggregate limits, you may not catch and retain a separate limit of each species. In the Recreational Fishing Regulations Summary, limits stated for walleye and sauger are aggregate limits, as are limits for largemouth and smallmouth bass and the limits for black and white crappie. The aggregate limits for these species can be found in the Zonewide tables or in the exceptions for each Zone. See Catch and Possession Limits, below.
Aggregate Limits for Trout and Salmon
In addition, throughout the province there are standard aggregate limits for all species of trout and salmon in combination: S – 5 and C – 2; that is you may only catch and keep in one day, or possess, no more than five trout and salmon in total under a Sport Fishing Licence, or two trout and salmon in total under a Conservation Fishing Licence.
NOTE: In addition to the aggregate limit, you may not exceed individual species limits where they are otherwise stated. (e.g., the S limit for Atlantic salmon is one and you may not catch and keep or possess more than one Atlantic salmon at any time).
Angling
Angling means fishing with a line that is held in the hand or attached to a rod that is held in the hand or closely attended.
Artificial Fly
An artificial fly means a hook dressed with silk, wool, fur, feathers or similar material but does not include other types of artificial lures.
Artificial Lure
An artificial lure means a spoon, plug, jig, artificial fly or other such device that is designed to catch fish by means of angling.
Bait
There are some areas of the province where the use of any form of organic bait is not allowed. Bait includes live or dead animals, plants or parts. See Bait, or exceptions to the Zone regulations for the Zone in which you are fishing.
Baitfish
Some species of fish may be used as bait in some areas. See Bait.
Barbless Hook
A barbless hook means a hook without barbs or one that has barbs that are compressed so as to be completely in contact with the shaft of the hook.
Catch and Possession Limits
The catch limit is the number of fish you are allowed to catch and keep in one day and includes fish that are not immediately released and any fish eaten or given away. The possession limit is the number you are allowed to have in your possession on hand, in cold storage, in transit, or anywhere. Possession limits are the same as one day’s catch limit except where otherwise specified.
In the Ontario Recreational Fishing Regulations Summary:
If you catch a fish after reaching the daily catch or possession limit for that species, the fish must be released immediately back to the water (see: Ontario’s Catch and Retain Rules). If the limit is zero, anglers may practice catch and release only -- any fish caught must be released immediately back into the water in a manner that does not harm the fish.
For some species there are no limits and no reference will be made to a limit in the Summary.
Check Stations
Conservation Officers operate random Fish Check Stations throughout the year. At these stations, Conservation Officers collect information on fish taken and make sure that regulations are being followed in order to better manage our fisheries resources. Remember to keep all licences, equipment and fish easily accessible for inspection.
Crappie
For the purpose of the Recreational Fishing Regulations Summary, "crappie" includes both black crappie and white crappie.
Exceptions
In specified waters, there are Exceptions to the General Regulations established for each Zone. These include fish sanctuaries, bait and gear restrictions and different seasons, limits and size limits for some species. Anglers must check the Exceptions for the waters where they will be fishing.
Note: Some waters are grouped with other waters that have the same regulatory Exceptions and these will generally be listed under the proper name for the largest or most significant water body. If there is nothing stated in the Exceptions then the regulations for the Zone apply.
Export of Fish
A person may, on leaving Ontario, take no more than the designated limits for fish.
Fish Sanctuaries
Fish sanctuaries are described in the Exceptions to the Zone Regulations. No fishing of any kind is permitted in a fish sanctuary. Some bodies of water, or parts of them, are declared fish sanctuaries for all or part of the year. Fish sanctuaries are not always marked with signs. Sanctuary dates are inclusive; all dates including the first and last dates stated in the Summary are closed.
Fisheries Management Zone or Zone
The province is divided into 20 Fisheries Management Zones (or Zones) for which there are general regulations that establish open seasons, limits and size limits (where applicable) for popular fish species.
Hook
A hook includes a single-pointed or multiple-pointed hook on a common shaft but does not include a snagger or spring gaff. The number of hooks includes any single-pointed or multiple-pointed hooks that are part of a lure.
Hooks and Lines
An angler may use only one line, unless otherwise stated in the regulations. Two lines may be used when angling from a boat in parts of the Great Lakes and for ice fishing in many areas (refer to the Exceptions to the General Regulations for the Zone in which you will be fishing). A fishing line must not have more than four hooks attached.
Lead Sinkers and Jigs
It is illegal to use or possess lead fishing sinkers or jigs in Canada’s national parks and wildlife areas. Further information is available from the Environment Canada.
Live Holding Boxes
If you use a live holding box or impounding device, it must be clearly marked with your name and address and it must be legible without having to lift the box, unless it forms part of, or is attached to, a boat. Any fish in holding boxes are part of your limit. Always monitor fish in your possession; allowing fish to waste is an offence. Catch and retain possession limits apply to live holding boxes.
Livewell
A livewell is a compartment designed to keep fish alive. For a livewell to be used to selectively release bass, walleye and northern pike, it must be attached to or form part of a boat, hold a total volume of not less than 46 litres (10 gallons) of water, have the capacity for water exchange and be mechanically aerated at all times when live fish are being held in it. (See: Ontario’s Catch and Retain Rules).
Open Seasons
Fishing season opening and closing dates vary depending on the species and the area. Dates are inclusive; all dates including the first and last dates stated in the Recreational Fishing Regulations Summary are open or closed. It is illegal to attempt to catch fish for which the season is closed, even if you are going to release them. Fish accidentally caught during the closed season must be immediately released back to the water. Unless stated otherwise, species that are not listed in the Recreational Fishing Regulations Summary (such as sucker and rock bass) have a year-round open season.
Pacific Salmon
For the purpose of the Recreational Fishing Regulations Summary, Pacific salmon include Chinook salmon, coho salmon, and pink salmon.
Size Limits
All size limits refer to total length which is a measure from the tip of the mouth with the jaws closed to the tip of the tail, with the tail fin lobes compressed to give the maximum possible length. Provincial regulations are established using the metric system.
Note: If you catch a fish in a restricted size range, you must release it immediately (see Units of Measure, below).
Sunfish
For the purpose of the Recreational Fishing Regulations Summary, sunfish includes pumpkinseed, bluegill, green sunfish, warmouth, orange spotted sunfish, longear sunfish and Lepomis hybrids.
Units of Measure
There are many units of measure referred to in the Recreational Fishing Regulations Summary. Provincial regulations are established using the metric system and converted to imperial measurement units for the convenience of anglers. The following short forms are used:
