Changes identified as ‘pending’ in the 2024 Fishing Regulations Summary

Proposed changes to the Ontario Fishery Regulations, 2007, previously identified as ‘pending’ were formally approved on January 1, 2024. Visit Ontario Fishing Regulations Summary to read the latest recreational fishing rules.

Changes to permitted baitfish species

A number of species were removed from the list of species of fish that can be used live as bait. Banded killifish was added to the list.

We removed species that:

  • are invasive or can be easily confused with an invasive species
  • are provincially rare
  • anglers don’t generally use as bait
  • commercial operators don’t generally sell as bait

Updated permitted baitfish species list

Minnows:

  • blackchin shiner
  • blacknose dace (now known as Western blacknose dace)
  • blacknose shiner
  • bluntnose minnow
  • brassy minnow
  • central stoneroller
  • common shiner
  • creek chub
  • emerald shiner
  • fallfish
  • fathead minnow
  • finescale dace
  • golden shiner
  • hornyhead chub
  • lake chub
  • longnose dace
  • mimic shiner
  • Northern pearl dace
  • Northern redbelly dace
  • redfin shiner
  • river chub
  • rosyface shiner
  • sand shiner
  • spotfin shiner
  • spottail shiner
  • striped shiner

Suckers:

  • longnose sucker
  • white sucker

Sticklebacks:

  • brook stickleback
  • ninespine stickleback

Others:

  • banded killifish
  • central mudminnow
  • lake herring (cisco)
  • trout-perch

Changes to the use of dead rainbow smelt as bait in FMZ 2 and 6

Dead rainbow smelt may be used as bait:

  • in the tributaries of Lake Nipigon in FMZ 2 and FMZ 6
  • in the Nipigon River in FMZ 6

Changes to bait restrictions in FMZ 8

We removed the bait restriction on Wynn Lake in Arnold Township. Live fish may now be used as bait and possessed for use as bait.

Changes to the Montreal River fish sanctuary in FMZ 11

The extent of the fish sanctuary has been enlarged.

Previous waterbody description:

  • Montreal River – Gillies Limit Township, Fountain Falls 150 metres upstream and downstream from the concrete abutments

Updated waterbody description:

  • Montreal River (Ragged Chute Dam) – Gillies Limit Township the waters from the Ragged Chute Dam (47°16′33.87″N., 79°40′21.60″W.) to 150 metres downstream of the concrete abutments at Fountain Falls (47°16′10.64″N., 79°39′07.25″W.)

Changes to angling with 2 lines while trolling Lake Superior in FMZ 9

Previous regulation:

  • Two lines may be used when trolling from a boat in open water, excluding:
    • Black Bay north of latitude 48°37'N. (Bent Island), Lake Superior and Nipigon Bay lying north of a line drawn north easterly from the southernmost tip of Magnet Point on Black Bay Peninsula to Schreiber Point and Michipicoten Bay inside a line drawn across the bay from Perkwakwai Point to Smokey Point

Updated regulation:

  • Two lines may be used when trolling from a boat in open water in all waters of FMZ 9

Changes to angling with 2 lines from a boat in open water in Lake Erie (FMZ 19)

Previous regulation:

  • Two lines may be used when angling from a boat in open water, excluding:
    • Rondeau Bay
    • Inner Long Point Bay
    • St. Clair River - defined as the waters from the downstream edge of the Blue Water Bridge from the international boundary at 42°59'54.3"N., 82°25'25.25"W. to the Ontario shore at 42°59'53.22"N., 82°25'19.92"W., downstream to a north south line at the easternmost point of Seaway Island from the international boundary at 42°32'55"N., 82°36'22"W. to the shore at Bassett Island at 42°32'36"N., 82°36'22" W.
    • Detroit River - defined as the waters from a line at the easternmost point of Peche Island from the international boundary at 42°21'10"N., 82°55'10"W. through the navigational buoy south of Peche Island, to the Ontario shore at 42°20'23.5"N., 82°55'17"W., downstream to an east west line at the southernmost point of Livingstone Channel from the international boundary at 42°4'8"N., 83°8'24.7"W. to the Ontario shore at 42°4'8"N., 83°7'0.2"W.

Updated regulation:

  • Two lines may be used when angling from a boat in open water in all waters of FMZ 19

Changes to regulations related to possession, use and transport of bait

Background

For more information, read Ontario's Sustainable Bait Management Strategy.

Regulatory changes

Beginning January 1, 2024, changes to rules related to the possession, use and transport of bait (baitfish or leeches) include allowing:

  • A person to transport bait through an adjacent Bait Management Zone (BMZ), only if they use a direct route through the adjacent BMZ to reach a destination in a BMZ where they lawfully obtained bait.
  • Preserved bait to be transported into and out of a BMZ, as long as 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
  • Preserved bait for fishing to be possessed and used in Bait Management Zones. It can also be used in the Great Lakes or the Ottawa River. Receipts are not required for preserved bait

Other changes will allow commercial bait operators to:

  • preserve their bait with salt and other preservative agents
  • buy and sell bait that has been preserved with salt and other preservative agents

The regulations will provide additional flexibility for anglers and commercial bait operators while maintaining the ecological integrity the BMZ framework provides.

Survey Feedback

We accepted feedback on this proposal through an online survey from July 26, 2023 until September 11, 2023. Thank you to those who provided feedback.

Changes to additional fishing opportunities in FMZs  8 and 10

Fisheries Management Zone 8

Lake trout

Additional fishing opportunities

Season: open all year
Limits: S-3 and C-1

  • Duck Lake (49°20'22" N., 82°21'34" W.) — O'Brien Township
  • Pearce 24 Lake (49°39'19" N., 82°18'22" W.) — Pearce Township

Fisheries Management Zone 10

Brook trout

Additional fishing opportunities

Season: open all year

Limits: S-5 and C-2

  • Brilliant Lake (46°40’35”N., 84°09’02”W.) — Jarvis Township
  • Broder Lake 23 (46°23’48”N., 80°57’26”W.) — Broder Township
  • Finn Lake (46°38’53”N., 84°16’10”W.) — Aweres Township
  • Franks Lake (46°53’59”N., 83°30’23”W.) — Reilly Township
  • Jackson Lake (46°35’39”N., 80°37’08”W.) — Street Township
  • Jarvis Lake 9 (46°40’28”N., 84°09’39”W.) — Jarvis Township
  • Jones Lake (46°54’24”N., 83°29’03”W.) — Reilly Township
  • Kaufman Lake (46°40’14”N., 84°10’37"W.) — Jarvis Township
  • Laurence Lake (46°54’43”N., 83°29’58”W.) — Reilly Township

New Lake of the Woods size restrictions for walleye and sauger, FMZ 5

Walleye and sauger combined

Ontario and Canadian residents

Limits: S-4; none between 43-70 cm, not more 1 greater than 70 cm, and C-2; none greater than 43 cm

Non-resident anglers

Daily catch and retain limit: S-2; none between 43-70 cm, not more than 1 greater than 70 cm, and C-2; none greater than 43 cm

Possession limit: S-4; none between 43-70 cm, not more than 1 greater than 70 cm and C-2; none greater than 43 cm

Fisheries Management Zone 10 Management Plan

New zone-wide seasons and limits

Largemouth and smallmouth bass combined

Season: third Saturday in June to November 30
Limits: S-6 and C-3

Northern pike

Season: open all year
Limits: S-6 not more than 1 greater than 61 cm, none greater than 86 cm, and C-2; none greater than 61 cm

Walleye and sauger combined

Season: January 1 to the third Sunday in March and third Saturday in May to December 31
Limits: S-4 and C-2; none greater than 46 cm

Harmonization of French River seasons and limits for FMZ 10 and 11

French River — those waters lying south of the Five Finger Rapids, and west of the Chaudière Dam, downstream to the Highway 69 bridge including Wolseley Bay, the North Channel of the French River, 18 Mile Bay, Ranger Bay and Dry Pine Bay to the Highway 607 Bridge and those waters north of Highway 64 and west of Highway 69, starting at the Highway 69 bridge on the French River and proceeding downstream to Georgian Bay, including all connected waters within the boundaries of the French River Provincial Park

Largemouth and smallmouth bass

Season: open January 1 to third Sunday in March and third Saturday in May to December 31
Limits: S-4 and C-2; any size

Northern pike

Season: open January 1 to third Sunday in March and third Saturday in May to December 31
Limits: S-4; not more than 1 greater than 61 cm, none greater than 86 cm, C-2; none greater than 61 cm

Walleye and sauger combined

Season: January 1 to the third Sunday in March and third Saturday in May to December 31
Limits: S-4; and C-2; none between 43 and 60 cm, not more than 1 greater than 60 cm

Read more in the Ontario Fishing Regulations Summary.

New size restrictions for muskellunge in FMZ 10 and 11

FMZ 10

Season: third Saturday in June to December 15
Limits: S-1; must be greater than 137 cm, and C-0

  • Echo River and Echo Lake (46°33'36"N., 83°58'28"W.) — downstream from the dam (46°34'27"N., 83°56'07"W.) to zone 14
  • French River — those waters north of Highway 64 and west of Highway 69 starting at the Highway 69 bridge on the French River and proceeding downstream to Georgian Bay including all connected waters within the boundaries of the French River Provincial Park
  • Goulais River (Whitman Dam to Lake Superior)
  • Mississagi River — downstream from the dam at Red Rock Lake (46°18'56"N., 83°17'27"W.) to zone 14
  • Serpent River — downstream from Highway 17 to zone 14
  • Thessalon River — downstream from Rydal Dam (46°21'55"N., 83°44'31"W.) to zone 14
  • Wanapitae River — downstream of Sturgeon Chutes (46°04'19"N., 80°49'50"W.) to the French River

Read more in the Ontario Fishing Regulations Summary.

FMZ 11

Season: third Saturday in June to December 15
Limits: S-1; must be greater than 137 cm, and C-0

  • French River waters lying south of the Five Finger Rapids, and west of the Chaudière Dam downstream to the Highway 69 bridge including Wolseley Bay, the North Channel of the French River, 18 Mile Bay, Ranger Bay and Dry Pine Bay to the Highway 607 Bridge

New muskellunge opportunities on the Spanish River

  • The Spanish River — downstream from the Highway 6 bridge, and the Aux Sables River from its confluence at the Spanish River upstream to Highway 17
    • Season: third Saturday in June to December 15
    • Limits: S-1; must be greater than 137 cm, C-0

New urban fishing opportunities in FMZ 10

Zone-wide seasons and limits

  • Middle Lake — Broder Township
  • Lohi Lake — Broder Township
  • East Davignon Creek and tributaries — Korah Township
  • West Davignon Creek — Korah Township, City of Sault Ste. Marie
  • Bennett Creek and tributaries and Bennett-Davignon Diversion Channel — Korah Township

New lake trout opportunities in FMZ 10

Season: open third Saturday in May to Labour Day
Limits: S-2; not more than 1 greater than 40 cm, and C-1

  • Johnnie Lake (46°05’53”N.,81°13’53”W.) — Carlyle Township, Killarney Provincial Park
  • Bell Lake (46°07’38”N., 81°12’33”W.) — Goschen Township, Killarney Provincial Park

Season: open February 15 to March 15 and third Saturday in May to Labour Day
Limits: S-2; not more than 1 greater than 40 cm, and C-1

  • Little Chiblow Lake (46°21'25"N., 83°07'57"W.) — Montgomery and Patton Townships

New Aurora trout fishing opportunity in FMZ 10

Greenhorn Lake (46°39’53"N., 84°07’32"W.) — Jarvis Township

  • Fish Sanctuary: no fishing from January 1 July 31 and October 16 to December 31
  • Season: open from August 1 to October 15
  • Limits: S-1, C-0

New trophy fishing opportunities for brook trout in FMZ 10

Season: open all year
Limits: S-1, C-0; must be greater than 55 cm

  • Moss Lake (46°39’01” Moss Lake (46°39’01”N., 84°09’26”W.) — Jarvis Township
  • Lost Loon Lake (46°40’53”N., 84°08’25”W.) — Jarvis Township

Adjusted timing of sanctuaries in FMZ 10 to protect rainbow trout during the spawning period

No fishing – April 1 to June 15

  • Alton Creek — Peterson Township, flowing into South Old Woman River
  • Bellevue Creek and tributaries — Vankoughnet Township
  • Clay River — Goodwillie Township
  • Cranberry Creek and tributaries — Fenwick and Pennefeather Townships
  • Crazy Creek — Goodwillie Township
  • Devlin Creek — Peever Township
  • Downey Creek and tributaries — Tilley Township, except the portion between the centre of Highway 17 and Lake Superior shore
  • Forte Creek — Rabazo Township, downstream of Mission Lake
  • Frater Creek — Labonte and Labelle Townships
  • Havilland Creek and tributaries — Havilland Township
  • Jones Creek and tributaries — Tilley and Archibald Townships, except the portion between centre of Highway 17 and Lake Superior shore
  • June Creek — Giles Township
  • Kelly Creek and tributaries — Pennefeather Township
  • Lamon Creek and tributaries — Dennis Township
  • Laughing Creek — Peever Township
  • Mamainse Creek and tributaries — within the A. McDonnel Mining location and the North Montreal (Sand Bay) Mining location except the portion between centre of Highway 17 and Lake Superior shore
  • Metheany Creek — Slater Township, between Highway 17 and Lake Superior
  • Mica Bay Creek and tributaries — Kincaid Township
  • Noisy Creek — Dulhut Township
  • Northland Creek — Deroche Township, Highway 556 to the Goulais River
  • Perry Creek and tributaries—Gaudette Township
  • Probyn Creek and tributaries — Fenwick Township
  • Rainbow Creek and tributaries — Hodgins Township
  • Ronnie’s Creek — Labelle Township
  • Salter Creek — LaRonde Township
  • Sheppard Creek and tributaries — Deroche Township
  • Silver Creek and tributaries — Hodgins Township
  • Stokely Creek and tributaries — Vankoughnet Township
  • Stony Creek and tributaries — Hodgins Township
  • Taylor Creek and tributaries — Vankoughnet Township
  • Thielman Creek and tributaries — Pennefeather Township
  • Unnamed Creek (47°34’N., 84°58’W.) — Bray Township, at Gargantua Harbour of Lake Superior, City of Sault Ste. Marie
  • Whitman Creek — Daumont and Gaudette Townships, between Devil’s Lake (Deil Lake) and the Goulais River

New fish sanctuaries in FMZ 18

No fishing – April 15 to the Friday before the first Saturday in July (2024 and 2025)

  • Charleston Lake — within 100m of Sheep Island (44°33’21”N., 76°00’45” W.), Democrat Island (44°32’34” N., 76⁰00’55”W.), Fisher Island (44°33’00” N., 76°01’05”W.), Hogback Island (44°32’43”N., 76°00’28” W.), Prospect Island (44°32’32”N., 76°00’22” W.), Tar Island (44°32’57”N., 76°00’41”W.), Victoria Island (44°32’53”N., 76°01’07”W.), and Rockhouse Island (44°33’16”N., 76°01’07”W.)
  • Charleston Lake — Sally’s Hole (including Brown’s Island) (44⁰33’42” N., 75⁰58’52”W.)
  • Opinicon Lake (Eightacre Island) —From the tip of the unnamed point (44°33’54”N., 76°19’51” W.) south of Queen’s University Biological Research Station to the southwest tip of Eightacre Island (44°33’30” N., 76°19’27”W.) to the northeast tip of Eightacre Island (44°33’44”N., 76°18’56”W.) to the eastern tip of Cow Island (44°34’11” N., 76°18’57”W.)
  • Opinicon Lake — Deadlock Bay (44⁰32’45” N., 76⁰20’23” W.) and Opinicon Property Owners’ Community Bay (44⁰33’05” N., 76⁰19’44” W.)

Aurora trout fishing opportunities for 2024

Fisheries Management Zone 8

  • Big Club Lake (48°27'45"N., 80°48'39"W.) — Bond and Macklem Townships
  • Nayowin Lake (47°47'27"N., 81°22'39"W.) — Burrows Township
  • Pallet Lake (48°16'31"N., 80°39'05"W.) — Nordica Township

Potential revisions to release of fish rules for recreational fishing

Proposed changes

In February 2023, we consulted on proposed changes to the rules around the immediate release of fish. The proposed changes would:

  • allow anglers to delay the release of a fish caught during the open season for that species, only long enough to photograph, measure and weigh, if the fish is of a restricted size or over daily catch and possession limits
  • require the immediate release of fish that are out of season, are species at risk or are otherwise prohibited under the existing recreational fishing rules

Timeline

This type of change to Ontario’s recreational fishing regulations requires approval of both:

  • the Ministry of Natural Resources and Forestry
  • Fisheries and Oceans Canada

The earliest possible date to implement any changes related to this proposal is January 1, 2025. Check this page for any future updates.