Exporting, Transporting or Storing Fish

Export of Lake Sturgeon

An export permit called a "Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora (CITES) Export Permit" is required to export any sturgeon (in whole or part) from Canada. For more information, contact the nearest MNR office. It is an offence under U.S. law to import fish illegally taken from Canada.

Export of Fish Other than Lake Sturgeon

An angler may, on leaving Ontario, take no more than the designated limits for fish.

Transfer of Live Fish or Spawn

No live fish or live spawn may be transferred from one body of water to another without the authorization of the Ministry of Natural Resources.

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.

Transporting Sport Fish in Ontario

It is contrary to the Fish and Wildlife Conservation Act to stock or transport live sport fish without a permit. Anglers need to ensure they are transporting fish in compliance with the regulations, which are designed to protect fisheries resources. The fish that you catch and keep may be cleaned. However, please remember that fish taken from waterbodies where size limits are in effect must be readily measurable at all times, unless the fish are:

• Being prepared for immediate consumption
• Prepared at an overnight accommodation for storage
• Being transported on the water from a temporary overnight accommodation to your residence and you are not engaged in sport fishing
• Being transported overland.

In addition, when packaging fish you must ensure that a Conservation Officer can easily determine:

• The number of fish in your possession
• The species of fish in your possession.  This may require leaving a large patch of skin, the head, or some other identifying feature depending on the species of fish (for example, lake whitefish vs. lake herring).

Tips for Packaging Fish  WATCH THE VIDEO

1. All fish, not just those with limits, must be packaged so that they can be easily counted and identified.

2. To ensure fish can be easily counted, package each fish separately, or arrange fillets spread flat in a clear freezer bag. DO NOT freeze fillets in a milk carton, margarine tub or other container. A large lump of fillets frozen together in bags is also unacceptable.

3. Since anglers often transport various species of fish, it’s their responsibility to ensure every fillet of their catch can be easily identified. Ensure you leave at least a large patch of skin on all fish fillets for identification purposes. Some species (for example, lake whitefish or lake herring) may require additional identifying features, such as the head.

4. Conservation Officers may inspect your catch at any time. Always have your fish and your licence easily accessible and place coolers of fish where they can be easily inspected. No one wants to unload a vehicle to find licences and coolers.

5. If a Conservation Officer inspects the sport fish you’re transporting and they are improperly packaged:

• Your catch may be seized for evidence
• You could get a ticket and be fined
• You may have to attend court, usually close to where the inspection took place, which may be far from where you live.