Fishing Destination: Lakes Simcoe and Couchiching - Zone 16

Locator Map for FMZ 16

LAKES SIMCOE AND COUCHICHING FACTS

Area: 77 396 hectares (191,249 acres)
Maximum depth: 41 metres (134 feet)
Lake Simcoe is the largest lake in Zone 16 and receives high levels of angler effort due to the high quality fisheries and its proximity to the Greater Toronto Area.
Barrie is located on the western tip of Kempenfelt Bay; Orillia is located where Couchiching meets the north shore of Simcoe.

PRIMARY FISHERIES

Lake Simcoe and Lake Couchiching Fishing Regulations
Species	Open Seasons	Limits
"S" indicates Sport Fishing Licence limits; "C" indicates Conservation Fishing Licence limits
NOTE: These regulations apply to Lake Simcoe and Lake Couchiching only.
Source: 2011 Ontario Fishing Regulations Summary
Walleye & Sauger or any combination	Jan. 1 to Mar. 15 & 2nd Sat in May to Dec. 31	S–4; C–2; not more than 1 greater than 46 cm (18.1 in.)
Largemouth & Smallmouth Bass or any combination	4th Sat. in June to Nov. 30	S–6; C 2
Northern Pike	Jan. 1 to Mar. 31 and 2nd Sat. in May to Dec. 31.	S–6; C– 2
Muskellunge	Closed all year
Yellow Perch	Open all year	S–50 in one day, possession of 100;C–25 in one day, possession of 50
Crappie	Open all year	S–50; C-24
Sunfish	Open all year	S–50; C–25
Lake Trout	Jan. 1 to Mar. 15 & 2nd Sat. in May to Sept. 30	S–2; C–1
Lake Whitefish	Jan. 1 to Mar. 15 & 2nd Sat. in May to Sept. 30	S–2; C-1
Lake Herring (Cisco)	Closed all year
Lake Sturgeon	Closed all year
Channel Catfish	Open all year	S–12; C–6
WATERBODY		EXCEPTION DETAILS
Lakes Simcoe, Couchiching, Green River, and their tributaries, the Trent Canal System and its tributaries – downstream from Lake Couchiching to Lock 42, the Trent Canal System in Brock and Ramara Twps., and the Severn River and its tributaries (excluding the Black River) downstream of Lake Couchiching to Wasdell Falls, all within the Regional Municipalities of York, Durham and Simcoe County and The District of Muskoka.		Muskellunge closed all year. Yellow perch S-50 in one day, possession limit of 100. Lake trout open from Jan. 1 to Mar. 15 & 2nd Sat. in May to Sept. 30. Lake Whitefish open from Jan. 1 – Mar. 15 and 2nd Sat. in May to Sept. 30. Lake Whitefish S–2 and C–1. Lake herring (cisco) closed all year.

Map showing location of Lake Simcoe in relation to Barrie, Orillia, Collingwood, Markham and Whitby

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