Fisheries Management Zone 13 (main basin of Lake Huron)

Fisheries Management Zone 13 (FMZ 13) includes Ontario waters of the main basin of Lake Huron.  Its western boundary follows the international border between the United States and Canada south to the mouth of the St. Claire River.  The eastern border extends along the southern shore of Manitoulin Island and along the west coast of the Bruce Peninsula south to the St. Clair River.  In most cases the FMZ boundary extends across river mouths although there are exceptions.  For details, see the maps that cover this FMZ. 

Lake Huron is the world's third largest freshwater lake with the main basin (FMZ 13) comprising the largest of the three basins of Lake Huron.  The shoreline of FMZ 13 is diverse with limestone in the north and glacial deposits in the south.  Many tributaries drain into FMZ 13. Watersheds in the south drain agriculturally developed land. Watersheds in the north drain landscapes that are generally less developed.

Communities adjacent to FMZ 13 include Providence Bay and South Baymouth on Manitoulin Island, and Sauble Beach, Southampton, Kincardine, Goderich and Sarnia along the eastern shore of the zone.

Fisheries Management Planning in FMZ 13

The overall objective in this FMZ is to restore an ecologically balanced fish community dominated by top predators and made up of largely of self-sustaining native and naturalized species.  

Historically, the waters in this FMZ supported a coldwater fish community dominated by lake trout, burbot, lake whitefish and ciscoe. Nearshore areas supported lake sturgeon, walleye and yellow perch.  Dramatic changes have occurred to the fish community as a result of exotic species invasions and habitat loss.   As a result, fisheries management in FMZ 13 is focused on fish community rehabilitation. 

FMZ 13 supports recreational fisheries for introduced species such as Chinook salmon and rainbow trout, both in open waters and tributaries.  Native species such as walleye and yellow perch are also targeted by anglers.  Provincial angling surveys indicate that the Lake Huron sports fishery is the most popular in the province.

Commercial fisheries are also active in this zone. Lake whitefish, walleye, lake trout and yellow perch are the main species of interest.  On-going change in the fish community, particularly in recent years, continues to influence the fisheries in FMZ 13.

The Upper Great Lakes Management Unit of MNR formed the FMZ 13 Advisory Council in 2009. The Council provides advice to MNR fisheries manager within this zone.  Given the diversity of uses (e.g., recreational fishing, commercial fishing, recreation, etc.) of the ecosystem and fisheries resources in the area of concern, it is expected that the FMZ 13 Council will discuss diverse topics spanning different fish species and multiple uses of the resource.  

International Management on Lake Huron.

Aquatic resources of Lake Huron, including FMZ 13, are managed cooperatively with the Canadian federal government, the State of Michigan, the Chippewa-Ottawa Resource Authority and U.S. federal agencies including the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service and the U.S. Geological Survey.  The Great Lakes Fishery Commission coordinates this cooperative management approach, as well as sea lamprey control activities.   

Strategic planning for Great Lakes fisheries is guided by the Joint Strategic Plan for Great Lakes Fishery Management (PDF, 1.5 mb).  One of the outcomes of the Joint Strategic Plan was the development of Fish Community Objectives for Lake Huron (PDF, 1 mb).  This document provides long-term guidance for management programs on Lake Huron.

Lake Trout Rehabilitation on Lake Huron

Lake trout rehabilitation is one of the key objectives outlined in the Fish Community Objectives for Lake Huron.  

Historically, lake trout were considered a keystone species which helped to structure and stabilize the Lake Huron fish community.  Their near collapse in Lake Huron by 1960 -- through the combined effects of sea lamprey predation and over fishing -- introduced an era of uncertainty and instability.  Rehabilitation of lake trout is seen as key to restoring important ecological functions that have been lost.

To guide rehabilitation efforts, the OMNR published the Lake Trout Rehabilitation Plan for Lake Huron (PDF, 426 kb) in 1996.  The Upper Great Lakes Management Unit has recently conducted a technical review of this document and progress made since 1996.  Recommendations made in this review form the basis for a Revised Lake Trout Rehabilitation Plan for Ontario Waters of Lake Huron (PDF, 7 mb).  The Revised Plan recommends a number of new approaches to help expand on progress made since 1996.  A summary of the Revised Plan (PDF, 315 kb) highlighting the major recommendations has also been produced.

The FMZ 13 Council will assist the Upper Great Lakes Management Unit by providing comments and advice on the Revised Plan.  Their assistance is part of a broader consultative process which seeks to acquire feedback from stakeholders and Aboriginal communities in Ontario.  The principle tool in collecting comments and feedback on the Revised Plan is a questionnaire.  The Upper Great Lakes Management Unit invites you to review and comment on the entire Revised Plan Lake Trout Rehabilitation Plan for Ontario Waters of Lake Huron and complete the questionnaire.  

For more information, contact the Upper Great Lakes Management Unit at (519) 371-0420.