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Fish Ontario
Overview
Few outdoor experiences can compare with fishing in Ontario’s 250,000 lakes and the thousands of rivers and streams. It is a favourite activity that Ontario residents and visitors enjoy year-round.
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Attention Sturgeon Anglers
The province is taking measures to protect lake sturgeon.
Effective July 1, 2008, there will be a zero catch and possession limit on recreational fishing for sturgeon in Ontario. Only catch and release angling for sturgeon will be allowed (throughout Zones 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 7, 8, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 18 & 19).
In addition, the Ministry is closing the recreational sturgeon fishery on the Mississagi River (part of zones 10 & 14).
For further information see Changes to the 2008-2009 Fishing Regulations Summary and the MNR news release of June 27, 2008.
Ontario's Fish
Ontario is home to 2,000 lakes that contain lake trout, more than 3,500 lakes with walleye and 400 lakes and rivers that are home to muskellunge. Despite the abundance of Ontario's fisheries resources, they are in high demand.
Fish are an important part of the province's economy. Ontario's fisheries sustain the sport fishing and tourist industries, as well as the commercial fishery. About 1.4 million anglers fish in Ontario each year. These anglers spend more than $2.3 billon dollars annually on fisheries-related expenditures.
The Ministry of Natural Resources, as the manager of Ontario's fisheries, works to maintain healthy fish communities so present and future generations will enjoy high quality fishing and viewing opportunities. One of the ways we can ensure healthy fish communities is to manage our fisheries on a broad, landscape level.
Ontario anglers will see that Fisheries Management Zones will replace the current fishing divisions in 2008. This new management approach will make the fishing regulations easier to understand.
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© Queen's Printer for Ontario, 2008
Last Modified: April 28, 2008