Ecological Framework for Recreational Fisheries Management
More Information
Ontario has developed a new ecological framework for recreational fisheries management. This new framework focuses on:
- New ecological Fisheries Management Zones
- Managing and monitoring at the broader landscape level
- Enhanced stewardship, and,
- Regular reporting on the state of fisheries in Ontario.
Ontario's Fisheries Resource
Ontario is responsible for managing a large and diverse aquatic resource.
The province manages 24% of Canada's freshwater, including 40% of the Great Lakes. There are over 250,000 lakes in Ontario and countless rivers and streams. Ontario boasts 20% of the world's lake trout lakes (approximately 2,000) and more than 3,500 walleye lakes.
Even with this abundant resource, Ontario's fisheries are in high demand. Fish are a very important part of Ontario’s economy. They support the sport fishing and tourist industries, as well as commercial fisheries. About 1.27 million anglers fish in Ontario each year. These anglers spend over $2.5 billon dollars in the province annually.
Our job is to maintain healthy fisheries in the province’s lakes, rivers and streams. We want to make sure present and future generations continue to enjoy high quality fishing in Ontario.
