Fisheries Management Zone 13 (FMZ 13)
Information about fishing and how fish resources are managed in Fisheries Management Zone 13 (main basin of Lake Huron).
News and updates
We are currently developing a Walleye Management Plan and Non-Native Salmonid Stocking Plan with a broad base of participants including:
- FMZ 13 Council
- First Nations
- Métis
- commercial fishers
- other interested groups and individuals
Fishing rules
You can:
- find specific rules for fishing in FMZ 13
- use the Fish on-Line mapping tool
- find a complete set of fishing rules in the Ontario Fishing Regulations Summary
About this zone
FMZ 13 is the Ontario waters of the main basin of Lake Huron. This zone has:
- the largest basin of the 3rd-largest freshwater lake in the world
- diverse shorelines that include limestone and glacial deposits
- agricultural watersheds in the south
- less-developed watersheds in the north
- one of Ontario’s most popular sport fishery for chinook salmon and rainbow trout
- commercial fisheries for lake whitefish, walleye, lake trout, yellow perch
FMZ 13 is one of 20 fisheries management zones in the province.
Location
FMZ 13:
- western edge follows the United States border south to the St. Clair River
- edges the south shore of Manitoulin Island and the west coast of the Bruce Peninsula south to the St. Clair River
- the boundary extends across river mouths in most cases
- includes the Ontario waters of Lake Huron’s main basin
- cities include Providence Bay and South Baymouth on Manitoulin Island, Sauble Beach, Southampton, Kincardine, Goderich, Sarnia
Legal boundary map and detail maps
Legal boundary map for FMZ 13 and detail maps 1 - 10.3 (PDF)
Tributary mouth regulation maps
Monitoring reports and management plans
- Joint strategic plan for Great Lakes fishery management
- Fish community objectives for Lake Huron
- The state of Lake Huron in 2018 (PDF)
Zone advisory council
The FMZ 13 council provides advice during the development of fisheries objectives and strategies.
Council members represent a broad range of views including:
- First Nation communities
- Metis Nation of Ontario
- angling groups
- commercial fishers
- scientists and researchers
- conservation groups
- interested community members
The advisory council participates in fisheries management by:
- sharing ideas and expertise with the ministry
- helping to develop and implement management strategies
- communicating with Indigenous communities, anglers, commercial fishers and other interested groups and individuals
For more information about the Fisheries Management Zone 13 advisory council, please contact the Upper Great Lakes management unit at