Sustainable bait management in Ontario

Overview

The responsible harvest and use of bait are important aspects of fishing in Ontario. However, bait can pose a significant ecological risk to Ontario's fisheries and the resource-based businesses and industries they support by spreading invasive species and fish diseases such as viral hemorrhagic septicemia (VHS).

Since 2014, we have taken steps to reduce the risks associated with the spread of invasive species and fish diseases in Ontario’s waterbodies. We have conducted many studies and consultations and found that one tactic to mitigate these concerns is to limit the movement and use of baitfish and leeches in Ontario.

We released Ontario’s Sustainable Bait Management Strategy in July 2020. It describes our approach to managing baitfish and leeches. This approach reduces the ecological risks associated with the use and movement of bait in Ontario.

News and updates

On January 1, 2024, we made changes to rules related to the possession, use and transport of bait (baitfish or leeches) including:

• allowing preserved bait to be transported into and out of a Bait Management Zone (BMZ) 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
• allowing preserved bait to be used in the Great Lakes or the Ottawa River
  • receipts are not required for preserved bait
• commercial bait operators may:
  • preserve their bait with salt or other preservatives agents
  • buy and sell bait that has been preserved with salt or other preservative agents

These changes provide more flexibility for anglers and commercial bait operators while maintaining the ecological integrity the BMZ framework provides.

Bait Management Zones (BMZs)

Ontario is divided into 4 Bait Management Zones (BMZs) that affect the movement, possession and use of baitfish and leeches (bait).

With limited exceptions, bait, whether live or dead, must not be transported into or out of a BMZ. For the most part, BMZ boundaries follow Fisheries Management Zone (FMZs) boundaries that are detailed on each FMZ webpage.

Bait Management Zones in Ontario

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Ontario’s four BMZs include:

• Southern BMZ: FMZ 16, 17, 18 and the part of 20 that is within Prince Edward County
• Central BMZ: FMZ 15
• Northeastern BMZ: FMZ 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 land south of the causeway connecting Great LaCloche Island and Whitefish River First Nation known as Swift Current Bridge
• Northwestern BMZ: FMZ 2 south of the 11^th baseline at latitude 51°48’11”N. or east of longitude 89°00’00”W., and FMZ 4, 5, 6, and 7 except the part of FMZ 6 that consists of St. Ignace Island and Simpson Island

For the purposes of BMZs, all other waterbodies in Ontario are considered either the Great Lakes and Ottawa River or part of FMZs 1, 2, or 3 where bait restrictions already exist. For greater clarity the Great Lakes and Ottawa River are defined as:

• Great Lakes:
  • FMZs 9, 13, 14, 19, and 20, except for the part of 20 that is within Prince Edward County
  • 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 land south of the causeway connecting Great LaCloche Island and Whitefish River First Nation known as Swift Current Bridge
• Ottawa River:
  • All of FMZ 12

Movement of baitfish and leeches

Recreational anglers

Anglers may buy or personally harvest bait within the BMZ where their primary residence is located.

Anglers cannot move bait that they bought or personally harvested in their home BMZ into another BMZ, unless it has been preserved.

Anglers fishing outside of their home BMZ are required to:

• purchase baitfish and leeches from a commercial licence holder (such as a bait shop) in the BMZ where they are fishing, or use preserved bait
• use or dispose of baitfish or leeches (dead or alive) within two weeks of purchasing them and retain a legible receipt that includes:
  • date of purchase
  • business name (if applicable)
  • commercial licence number
  • location of purchase
  • quantity of bait purchased

An angler’s home BMZ is the BMZ where their primary residence is located, which is defined as the place with which a person has the greatest connection in terms of present and anticipated future living arrangements, the activities of daily living, family connections, financial connections and social connections. For greater certainty a person only has one primary residence, no matter how many dwelling places the person may have, inside or outside Ontario.

Some exceptions apply for Great Lakes and Ottawa River, including:

• anglers are permitted to move baitfish and leeches into an adjacent Great Lake or portion of the Ottawa River
• anglers can only move baitfish and leeches from a Great Lake or the Ottawa River back into a BMZ for the purposes of immediately disposing of them more than 30 metres from the water

Anglers are also permitted to transport dead lake herring (Cisco), white sucker, and longnose sucker into or out of a BMZ for the purposes of consumption.

Bait disposal rules

It is illegal to deposit or release the following, into or within 30 metres of any waters (including onto the ice):

• 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

In some areas of Ontario and many individual waterbodies, you cannot use or possess any kind of live bait. You can find a complete set of provincial rules, including restrictions on fishing with live bait in the Ontario Fishing Regulations Summary.

Transport exception

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

Fishing with bait

Laws/rules

By law, you need a valid fishing licence (such as sport or conservation) to catch your own live:

• baitfish
• leeches
• crayfish
• northern leopard frogs

With a fishing licence (such as sport or conservation), you cannot sell baitfish and leeches.

The Ontario fishing regulations control the movement, possession and use of baitfish and leeches to prevent the spread of:

• infectious fish diseases (such as viral hemorrhagic septicemia)
• unwanted fish species
• invasive species

Preserved bait

• preserved bait may be transported into or out of BMZs if the bait:
  • is dead
  • has been preserved (treated in a manner to prevent decay or decomposition) using a method of preservation other than refrigeration or freezing

Bait with fish eggs

• You may strip fish roe (eggs) from your catch if:
  • you catch the fish legally
  • you do not discard or waste the fish after taking the roe
• You may:
  • use fish roe anywhere organic bait is permitted
  • share fish roe with other anglers
  • not sell, trade or barter fish roe

Catch/purchase limits

You can catch baitfish and leeches if you are a Canadian resident and fishing in your home BMZ or buy baitfish and leeches, up to the possession limit.

You can catch crayfish or frogs but you cannot buy them.

You cannot have in your possession more than:

• 120 baitfish
• 120 leeches
• 36 crayfish
• 12 northern leopard frogs

Baitfish you can catch

Know your baitfish — it is your responsibility to use the right kind.

Currently in Ontario, you can only catch 34 species of baitfish.

Review the 34 species of baitfish.

How to catch baitfish

Only resident anglers can capture baitfish within their home BMZ. You can use a dip net or baitfish trap to catch baitfish, except in areas where regulations prohibit:

• the possession of live bait
• the use of dip nets or baitfish traps

Dip net

You can only use one dip net to catch baitfish. Your dip net:

• may be up to 183 centimetres (6 feet) on each side, if square
• may be up to 183 centimetres (6 feet) across, if circular
• must be used during daylight hours only (after sunrise and before sunset)

Baitfish trap

You can only use one baitfish trap to catch baitfish. Anglers are only permitted to personally harvest baitfish in the BMZ where their primary residence is located. Your baitfish trap:

• may be up to 51 centimetres (20 inches) long
• may be up to 31 centimetres (12.2 inches) wide
• must be clearly marked with the licence holder’s name and address

Non-residents cannot trap baitfish.

How to catch leeches

You can only use one leech trap to catch leeches. Anglers are only permitted to personally harvest leeches in the BMZ where their primary residence is located. Your trap:

• may be up to 45 centimetres (17.7 inches) in any dimension
• must be clearly marked with the licence holder’s name

How to catch crayfish

You can catch crayfish using the same methods that are used for catching baitfish. You must:

• use crayfish where you caught them
• not transport them over land

How to catch northern leopard frogs

The only frog species you can capture for bait is the northern leopard frog. There are no specific rules on how to capture them for bait.

Commercial bait licence

Laws/rules

By law, you need a commercial bait licence:

• to deal in bait (buy or sell)
• harvest bait

You can only buy, sell or harvest:

• 34 species of baitfish
• leeches (class Hirudinea)

Licence costs

To sell bait

• to sell bait (dealer): $148.60
• for a tourist dealer: $29.72

To harvest bait

• harvester/dealer: $297.20
• tourist bait harvester/dealer: $29.72
• add a designate: no cost

How to sell commercial bait

To get a new licence to sell bait, you can either apply online using the Natural Resources Information Portal or follow these steps:

Step 1: download and complete application to deal commercial bait.

Step 2: submit the form to the ministry work centre closest to you.

Step 3: if your application is approved, you will be notified by mail or email and instructed to submit payment for your licence.

Step 4: make an appointment with your local ministry work centre to discuss, prepare and submit a Hazard Analysis and Critical Control Point (HACCP) plan that outlines the steps you will take to prevent the spread of:

• fish-borne diseases like viral hemorrhagic septicemia (VHS)
• invasive and unwanted species

Step 5: ministry will work with the applicant to determine licence conditions and issue the licence.

How to harvest bait

To get a new licence to harvest bait, you can either apply online using the Natural Resources Information Portal or follow these steps:

Step 1: contact the ministry work centre closest to you to check if any bait harvest areas (BHAs) are available in the area of interest.

Step 2: if a bait harvest area is available, download and complete application to harvest commercial bait.

Step 3: to indicate the bait harvest area you want to harvest, download and complete the bait harvest area application form.

Step 4 (if applicable): if a designate will help with harvesting operations (i.e. harvest on your behalf), include and complete an application form to add a designate.

Step 5: submit application form(s) to the ministry work centre closest to you.

Step 6: if your application is approved, you will be notified by mail or email and instructed to submit payment for your licence.

Step 7: take a two-hour online HACCP training course at your local ministry office.

Step 8: make an appointment with your local ministry work centre to discuss, prepare and submit a Hazard Analysis and Critical Control Point (HACCP) plan that outlines the steps you will take to prevent the spread of:

• fish-borne diseases like viral hemorrhagic septicemia (VHS)
• invasive and unwanted species

Step 9: ministry will work with the applicant to determine licence conditions and issue the licence.

How to add or remove designate

A designate must be 16 years or older to harvest bait on the licence holder’s behalf.

To add or remove a designate, a licenced harvester needs to submit your application online using the Natural Resources Information Portal, or follow these steps:

Step 1: download and complete one of the forms to:

• add a designate
• remove a designate

Step 2: all licensees must sign the form.

Step 3: submit form to the ministry work centre closest to you.

How to transfer a licence

To transfer a licence or bait harvesting areas, a licenced harvester needs to submit your application online using the Natural Resources Information Portal, or follow these steps:

Step 1: download and complete the application form to transfer a licence.

Step 2: all licensees must sign the form.

Step 3: submit form to the ministry work centre closest to you.

Report baitfish violations

To report a natural resource violation or submit a tip, you can call: