News and updates

As of January 2024, there are new temporary fish sanctuaries on Charleston Lake and Opinicon Lake. These sanctuaries support bass nesting and population research.

You can find detailed descriptions of these fish sanctuaries in the Ontario Fishing Regulations Summary or in the temporary sanctuary maps.

Fishing rules

You can:

About this zone

FMZ 18 is located in Southeastern Ontario. This zone has:

  • the connecting lakes and rivers of the Rideau waterway
  • the Canadian Shield at its heart
  • the St. Lawrence Lowlands to the east and west
  • watersheds for the Crowe, Mississippi, Napanee, Cataraqui, Rideau, Salmon, South Nation and Raisin Rivers
  • the province’s most southerly lake trout populations, other than in the Great Lakes
  • mainly warm-water fish (such as bass, crappie, sunfish, muskellunge) and cool-water fish (such as walleye, northern pike, yellow perch)

FMZ 18 is one of 20 fisheries management zones in the province.

Location

Zone 18 is located in Southern Ontario and includes the cities of Ottawa, Cornwall, Perth, Kingston and Belleville.
View Fisheries Management Zone 18 map using Fish on-Line or a PDF.

FMZ 18:

  • ends at Lake Ontario and the St. Lawrence River to the south (FMZ 20)
  • follows the Ottawa River (FMZ 12) to the north and east
  • cities include Ottawa, Kingston, Cornwall, Belleville, Perth, Smiths Falls, Brockville, Carleton Place

Legal boundary map and detail maps

Legal boundary map for FMZ 18 and detail maps 1 - 19.4 (PDF)

Temporary sanctuary maps

map image depicting the area of Charleston Lake where the fish sanctuaries apply including: Democrat, Hogback, Fisher, Victoria, Tar, Rockhouse, Prospect and Sheep islands and Sally’s Hole bay
Charleston lake
map image depicting the area of Opinicon Lake where the fish sanctuaries apply including: Deadlock Bay, Opinicon Property Owner’s Community Bay and Eightacre island to Cow island
Opinicon lake

Monitoring reports and management plans

Fisheries Management Plan for Fisheries Management Zone 18

Zone advisory council

The FMZ 18 council provides advice during the development of fisheries objectives and strategies. Council members represent a broad range of views including:

  • angling groups
  • 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 the local and angling community

For more information about the Fisheries Management Zone 18 advisory council, please contact Kemptville district office.

Telephone: 613-258-8204

General fishing rules