Fisheries Management Zone 20 (FMZ 20)
Information about fishing and how fish resources are managed in Fisheries Management Zone 20 (Lake Ontario).
News and updates
Fisheries Management planning is underway for this zone. Visit this page regularly for updates and opportunities to comment.
Fishing rules
You can:
- find specific rules for fishing in FMZ 20
- use the Fish on-Line mapping tool
- find a complete set of fishing rules in the Ontario Fishing Regulations Summary
About this zone
FMZ 20 includes the Canadian waters of Lake Ontario, the St. Lawrence River and the Lower Niagara River. This zone has:
- Canada’s largest urban area, with a population of over 10 million people
- important sport, commercial and aboriginal fisheries
- a recreational fishery contributing more than $100 million a year to Ontario’s economy
- areas of deep, cold water that support a world class salmon and trout fishery
- the shallow, protected Bay of Quinte, well-known for walleye and bass
- warm- and cool-water fish species like bass, northern pike, walleye, yellow perch and muskellunge in eastern Lake Ontario and the upper St. Lawrence River
- a commercial fishery that harvests sunfish, yellow perch, lake whitefish and other fish
FMZ 20 is one of 20 fisheries management zones in the province.
Location
FMZ 20:
- includes the Canadian waters of Lake Ontario, the Bay of Quinte, the Niagara River below Niagara Falls, Hamilton Harbour and the St. Lawrence River
- cities along its borders include Toronto, Hamilton, Kingston and Brockville
Legal boundary map and detail maps
Legal boundary map for FMZ 20 and detail maps 1 - 25.3 (PDF)
Monitoring reports and management plans
- Joint strategic plan for the management of Great Lakes fisheries (PDF)
- Lake Ontario fish community objectives
- Fish community objectives for the St. Lawrence River (PDF)
- Stocking Strategy for the Canadian Waters of Lake Ontario (PDF)
- Learn more by visiting the Environment Registry of Ontario posting.
Zone advisory council
The FMZ 20 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 FMZ 20 council, contact the:
Lake Ontario management unit
Telephone: