Bait

Bait Management Zones (BMZ) Map

Ontario is divided into four BMZs that affect the movement, possession and use of baitfish and leeches. BMZ boundaries are generally based on FMZ boundaries. The Great Lakes and Ottawa River, as well as portions of the Far North (hatched area on the map below), are not considered BMZs.

Baitfish or leeches, whether live or dead, may not be transported into or out of a BMZ, with some limited exceptions.

• Southern BMZ – consists of FMZs 16, 17, 18 and the part of 20 that is within the County of Prince Edward.
• Central BMZ – consists of FMZ 15.
• Northeastern BMZ – consists of FMZs 3, 8, 10, and 11 except the part of FMZ 10 that is within Cockburn Island, Michipicoten Island, St. Joseph Island, and Manitoulin Island. Manitoulin Island is defined as all islands that can be accessed by land south of the causeway connecting Great LaCloche Island and Whitefish River First Nation (known as Swift Current Bridge), including Manitoulin Island, Great LaCloche Island, Little LaCloche Island, and Barrie Island.
• Northwestern BMZ – consists of FMZ 2 south of the 11th baseline at latitude 51°48’11”N. and east of longitude 89°00’00”W., and FMZs 4, 5, 6, and 7, except the part of FMZ 6 that consists of St. Ignace Island and Simpson Island.

Refer to ontario.ca/bait and Fisheries management zones for more information and detailed maps of FMZ boundaries.

Bait

It is illegal to (or attempt to) deposit or release into, or within 30 metres of, any waters:

• live or dead bait or baitfish, including fish eggs, gametes or fish parts
• the water, soil or other materials used to hold any of these items

The capture and use of live bait is not allowed in some waters – please ensure you check the rules for the waterbody that you intend to fish.

It is illegal to bring any crayfish, salamanders, live fish or leeches into Ontario for use as bait. Non-residents must purchase bait within the BMZ where it is to be used and retain the receipt (refer to Receipts section)

Recent changes regarding the movement and personal harvest of baitfish and leeches in Ontario are outlined in the following sections.

Movement of baitfish and leeches

To help protect our waters from harmful invasive species and fish diseases, four BMZs limit the movement, possession, and use of baitfish and leeches (see bait). Baitfish or leeches, may not be transported into or out of a BMZ with some limited exceptions. The following rules apply when using baitfish or leeches for fishing.

Transport Exception

NewTo reach a destination in the BMZ that bait was lawfully acquired in, a person may transport bait through an adjacent BMZ only if they use a direct route through the adjacent BMZ.

Receipts

Anglers using or possessing baitfish or leeches for fishing in a BMZ where their primary residence is not located (see general regulations), must obtain them from the holder of a commercial licence and be able to immediately produce a legible receipt upon request by a conservation officer. Baitfish or leeches, whether live or dead, can only be possessed or used within two weeks following the date on which they were obtained. The receipt must list the location and date it was obtained from the commercial licence holder, the business name, (if applicable), commercial licence number and quantity of baitfish or leeches obtained.

Receipts are not required when an angler is using baitfish or leeches:

• in the BMZ where their primary residence is located
• in the Great Lakes or Ottawa River
• that are preserved

Receipts are not needed for other forms of bait (such as worms).

Personal harvest

Anglers are only permitted to personally harvest baitfish and leeches in the BMZ where their primary residence is located, or within the Great Lakes or Ottawa River. Bait that is personally harvested within the Great Lakes or Ottawa River must be used in that waterbody and can only be moved into an adjacent BMZ to be disposed of immediately more than 30 metres from the water.

Preserved bait

NewPreserved baitfish or leeches may be transported into or out of BMZ's if the bait:

• is dead
• has been preserved (treated or prepared in a manner to prevent decay or decomposition) using a method of preservation other than refrigeration or freezing

Great Lakes and the Ottawa River

The Great Lakes and Ottawa River are not considered BMZs, baitfish and leeches may be moved from an adjacent BMZ into the Great Lakes or Ottawa River, provided they are not moved through another BMZ. Baitfish and leeches can only be moved out of the Great Lakes or Ottawa River into an adjacent BMZ to be disposed of immediately more than 30 metres from the water.

With respect to the movement of baitfish and leeches, the Great Lakes and Ottawa River are defined as the folliowing.

Great Lakes

• FMZs 9, 13, 14, 19, and 20, except for the part of FMZ 20 that is within the County of Prince Edward
• The portions of FMZ 6 consisting of St. Ignace Island and Simpson Island
• The portions of FMZ 10 consisting of Cockburn Island, Michipicoten Island, St. Joseph Island, and Manitoulin Island. Manitoulin Island is defined as all islands that can be accessed by land south of the causeway connecting Great LaCloche Island and Whitefish River First Nation (known as Swift Current Bridge), including Manitoulin Island, Great LaCloche Island, Little LaCloche Island, and Barrie Island.

Ottawa River

• All of FMZ 12

Dead baitfish species

Dead lake herring (cisco), longnose sucker, and white sucker may be moved into or out of a BMZ only if they are for the purposes of consumption.

Permitted baitfish

Bait regulations protect rare and endangered species, conserve biodiversity and prevent the spread of invasive species. Anglers are responsible to ensure that any live fish in their possession intended for use as bait are permitted baitfish species. Only the fish species listed below are considered permitted baitfish and may be used live as bait.

Limits and capture methods

A recreational fishing licence is required to capture baitfish, leeches, crayfish or frogs.

Baitfish

Limit: 120 (includes those caught or purchased)

Only Ontario and Canadian resident anglers may capture baitfish. Anglers are only permitted to personally harvest baitfish in the BMZ where their primary residence is located, or within the Great Lakes and Ottawa River (must be used in that waterbody, and can only be moved into an adjacent BMZ to be disposed of immediately more than 30 metres from the water). Only the following methods may be used.

• One baitfish trap no more than 51 centimetres long and 31 centimetres wide can be used day or night. Baitfish traps must be clearly marked with the licence holder’s name and address.
• One dip-net no more than 183 centimetres on each side if angular or 183 centimetres across if circular, during daylight hours only (after sunrise and before sunset).

Dip-nets and baitfish traps may not be used in Algonquin Park.

Leeches

Limit: 120 (includes those caught or purchased)

Only Ontario and Canadian resident anglers may capture leeches. Anglers are only permitted to personally harvest leeches in the BMZ where their primary residence is located or within the Great Lakes and Ottawa River (must be used in that waterbody, and can only be moved into an adjacent BMZ to be disposed of immediately more than 30 metres from the water). Only the following methods may be used.

• Only one leech trap no more than 45 centimetres in any dimension can be used day or night to capture leeches. Leech traps must be clearly marked with the licence holder’s name.

Crayfish

Limit: 36

• Must be used in same waterbody where caught.
• May not be transported overland.
• May be captured using methods outlined for baitfish above.

Frogs

Limit: 12

• Only Northern leopard frogs may be captured or used as bait.

Salamanders

• May not be captured, imported or used as bait in Ontario.

Chumming

Chumming (baiting an area to attract fish) is allowed for common carp and for attracting other fish species, but only with plant-based baits.