FMZ 17 Zone Council Information Page - Ontario Government, Ministry of Natural Resources

Fisheries Management Zone 17 (FMZ 17) is the smallest management zone in the province. It includes all or part of the Kawartha Lakes, Trent and Crowe River watersheds, and the rivers and streams of the eastern portion of the Oak Ridges Moraine.

FMZ 17 supports important recreational and tourism-based fisheries. The recreational fishery focuses on walleye, bass and panfish. Due to the angling opportunities available and its proximity to the Greater Toronto Area, FMZ 17 receives more angling effort than most other fisheries management zones.

Fisheries Management in FMZ 17

smallmouth bass The goal of fisheries management in FMZ 17 is to maintain healthy aquatic ecosystems that provide sustainable benefits, contributing to society’s present and future requirements for a high-quality environment, wholesome food, employment and income, recreational activity, and cultural heritage.

The Ministry of Natural Resources, with the support of the Fisheries Management Zone 17 Advisory Council, developed a Fisheries Management Plan for Fisheries Management Zone 17. A number of regulatory options were presented to the public for comment in the spring of 2009. Based on the comments received from the public, recommendations of the Fisheries Advisory Council, and the best available science, the ministry developed a suite of new fishing regulations for Zone 17 which were put into effect on January 1, 2010. These changes are intended to improve fish populations as well as increase angling and associated recreational and economic opportunities in Zone 17.

Public Invited to Provide Input

Most recently, MNR has been working with the FMZ 17 Advisory Council on a proposal to further enhance the bass fishing opportunities in Zone 17. We are now seeking input from the public on a proposed, one-week extension to the bass fishing season in FMZ 17. View Proposed Changes to Bass Seasons in Southern Ontario (PDF, 1 mb)

Comments may be provided through the Fisheries Management Options Questionnaire, which is available online, or by e-mail to FishPTBO@ontario.ca. Alternatively, hard copies are available from the Peterborough District office, located at 300 Water Street, Peterborough, ON. The deadline to submit survey responses is May 30, 2012.

The results of the survey will inform the decision making around the bass regulation, as well as assist the ministry in identifying angler priorities for Zone 17.

If implemented, changes will be reflected in the 2013 Ontario Fishing Regulations Summary.

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an angler with her catch FMZ 17 Fisheries Management Plan (PDF, 781 kb)