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Managing fisheries is a question of balance.
The Ministry of Natural Resources must balance the public demand for fish with the ability of the habitat to produce those fish year after year. The goal is to provide the highest level of angling enjoyment while protecting the aquatic environment's ability to replace those fish. Fishing seasons are one tool for achieving that balance.
Very simply, there are open seasons (when a particular kind of fish may be caught) and closed seasons (when the same kind of fish may not be caught).
Most closed seasons are set to protect spawning (breeding) fish and allow them to add to the future fish population.
Some fish, such as bass, need a fairly long closed season while they spawn so adult fish can protect their spawning sites (called nests) from predators. This is an example of why it is illegal to attempt to catch fish for which the season is closed, even if you are going to release them!
Other fish, such as walleye or trout, which play little or no role in protecting eggs or young fish, may not need as much closed season protection.
Some fish, such as trout, normally spawn in the fall, while others, such as bass, and walleye spawn in the spring. That's why some seasons are closed in the fall, and others are closed in the spring. (Check the Ontario Recreational Fishing Regulations Summary for open season dates for the species and zone in which you are interested.)
Another reason for closing fishing seasons is to protect special, endangered or recovering species of fish. The aurora trout is one such fish. The two Ontario lakes where this fish occurs naturally are closed to fishing all year round.
And finally, if too many anglers want to fish for a particular fish in a particular lake, and fisheries scientists discover too many fish are being harvested, the season can be closed for a period of time to protect those fish. That would be an example of overharvesting, or too much fishing pressure, as a reason for a closed season.
The other side of this is that fisheries scientists know that some species of fish in some bodies of water are underharvested. This means that terrific fishing opportunities are going unused. In such a situation anglers can enjoy fishing for these species during extended open seasons or, in some cases, year round open seasons. Look for extended season and year round season listings in the Ontario Recreational Fishing Regulations Summary. Unless stated otherwise, species which are not listed (such as catfish, sucker and rock bass) have a year round open season.
While we are on the topic of the fishing regulations, it is important to point out that all anglers need to familiarize themselves with "the regs". The Ministry has made a real effort to make the Ontario Recreational Fishing Regulations Summary more user-friendly. We even make it easy to download the Summary from the publications section of this website for viewing or for printing out.
You may also pick up a copy of the Ontario Recreational Fishing Regulations Summary from any ServiceOntario office or any licence issuer.
FAQ
The Office of Boating Safety run by Transport Canada offers a boating safety website at http://www.tc.gc.ca/BoatingSafety/menu.htm. Click on Safety Equipment Requirements for a list of the safety equipment needed for various types and sizes of boats.
You can also view and download the Safe Boating Guide on the Transport Canada website. If you have a question about boating safety, or if you want a paper copy of the Safe Boating Guide, you may call the Boating Safety Infoline at 1-800-267-6687 (within Canada).
From outside Canada, the Boating Safety Infoline can be reached by phoning 1-613-991-1313.
A licence is required to stock fish in Ontario waters and to culture fish. MNR has a policy for aquaculture and for fish stocking that minimize the risk of harmful introductions. Under the provincial Environmental Assessment Act, a Class Environmental Assessment must be conducted for projects involving stocking fish in new waters.
As well, intentional introductions and transfers of fish are subject to an approval process through the National Code on Introductions and Transfers of Aquatic Organisms. In Ontario, a proposal must be submitted for review by the Provincial Introductions and Transfers Committee. To access a copy of the Code follow the link: http://www.dfo-mpo.gc.ca/science/aquaculture/code/prelim_e.htm
Not at all. A catch limit is the number of a species that you are allowed to catch and keep in one day. (A possession limit is the total number of a species that you are allowed to have in your possession on hand, in cold storage, in transit and so on.)
As long as you immediately live release any zero (0) limit fish you catch during the open season you may legally fish for them using a Conservation Fishing Licence.
This holds true for such species as muskellunge, sturgeon, Atlantic salmon and aurora trout. Immediate live release is the key.
However, those who fish for muskellunge with a Conservation Fishing Licence should understand and be prepared to deal with the fact that occasionally muskellunge are injured beyond being able to be successfully live released. What would you do with the fish if it could not swim away?
Or, what would you do as the angler if you caught the world record muskie (something that is quite possible in several Ontario waterbodies) on a Conservation Fishing Licence? It would have to be released.
For these reasons and others, most ardent muskellunge anglers purchase the Sport Fishing Licence. The added bonus is that their licence dollars can help improve future muskellunge fisheries.
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Last Modified: April 28, 2008