SF – 2023/5

Under the Ontario Fishery Regulations, 2007

Pursuant to the authority vested in me in subsection 13(1) of the Ontario Fishery Regulations, 2007, made under the Fisheries Act, R.S.C., 1985, c. F-14, I hereby authorize and declare the following:

  1. That Sport Fishing Variation Order for Fisheries Management Zone 5 (SF-2021/5) signed by Minister Yakabuski on November 23, 2020 is revoked and replaced by this Sport Fishing Variation Order for Fisheries Management Zone 5 (SF-2023/5).
  2. That the angling close times as set out in Schedule 2 to the Ontario Fishery Regulations, 2007 and the angling quotas and size limits as set out in Part 1 of Schedule 3 to the said Regulations for Fisheries Management Zone 5 are hereby varied as set out in Schedules A and B to this Sport Fishing Variation Order.
  3. That the non-resident daily catch and retain quotas and size limits as set out in Part 4 of Schedule 3 to the Ontario Fishery Regulations, 2007 are hereby varied as set out in Schedule C to this Sport Fishing Variation Order.
  4. That the close times for dip netting Lake Whitefish and Lake Herring as set out in Part 1 of Schedule 6 to the said Regulations for Fisheries Management Zone 5 are hereby varied to January 1 to September 30 and December 16 to December 31.
  5. That if there is a conflict between this Sport Fishing Variation Order and a close time for a fish sanctuary, the close time for the fish sanctuary prevails.
  6. That this Sport Fishing Variation Order comes into effect January 1, 2023.

Dated at Toronto this 1st day of November 2022.

Graydon Smith
Minister of Natural Resources and Forestry

Schedule A – Zone-wide close times, quotas and size limits for Fisheries Management Zone 5

Subject to Schedules B and C of this Variation Order the following Angling close times, fishing quotas and size limits (measured in total length) apply to all waters in Fisheries Management Zone 5.
Species or combination of speciesClose timeSport fishing licence quota and size limitConservation fishing licence quota and size limit
Atlantic salmonJanuary 1 to December 31N/AN/A
Black & white crappieNo close time10, any size5, any size
Brook troutNo close time5, any size2, any size
Brown troutNo close time5, any size2, any size
Channel catfishJanuary 1 to December 31N/AN/A
Lake sturgeonJanuary 1 to December 31N/AN/A
Lake troutOctober 1 to December 312, not more than 1 greater than 56 cm from September1 to September 301, any size
Lake whitefishNo close time12, any size6, any size
Largemouth & smallmouth bassNo close time4, must be less than 35 cm from January 1 to June 30, no size limit from July 1 to December 312, must be less than 35 cm from January 1 to June 30, no size limit from July 1 to December 31
MuskellungeJanuary 1 to the Friday before the 3rd Saturday in June and December 16 to December 311, must be greater than 102 cm0
Northern pikeNo close time4, none greater than 75 cm2, none greater than 75 cm
Pacific salmonJanuary 1 to December 31N/AN/A
Rainbow troutNo close time5, any size2, any size
SplakeNo close time5, any size2, any size
SunfishNo close time50, any size25, any size
Walleye & saugerApril 15 to the Friday before the 3rd Saturday in May4, not more than 1 greater than 46 cm2, not more than 1 greater than 46 cm
Yellow perchNo close time50, any size25, any size
Any other speciesNo close timeNo limitNo limit

Schedule B – Exceptions to the Zone-wide close times, quotas and size limits for Fisheries Management Zone 5

Despite Schedule A of this Variation Order the Angling close times, fishing quotas and size limits (measured in total length) set out in this Schedule apply in the following waters. For greater clarity, where this schedule indicates "no change", the Zone-wide requirement in Schedule A applies.
WatersSpecies or combination of speciesClose timeSport fishing licence quota and size limitConservation fishing licence quota and size limit
Burditt Lake (48°57'13"N., 93°46'43"W.) - Senn TownshipMuskellungeNo change1, must be greater than 122 cm0
Despair Lake (48°52'31"N., 93°39'34"W.)MuskellungeNo change1, must be greater than 122 cm0
Dinorwic Lake (49°37'40"N., 92°33'25"W.) and adjoining water bodies (Minnehaha Lake (49°31'27"N., 92°38'45"W.), Rock Lake (49°32'37"N., 92°35'51"W.), Turtlepond Lake (49°32'43"N., 92°36'46"W.))Black and white crappieNo change1510
Dinorwic Lake (49°37'40"N., 92°33'25"W.) and adjoining water bodies (Minnehaha Lake (49°31'27"N., 92°38'45"W.), Rock Lake (49°32'37"N., 92°35'51"W.), Turtlepond Lake (49°32'43"N., 92°36'46"W.))Largemouth and smallmouth bassNo change2, from January 1 - June 30 & December 1 - December 31; 4 from July 1 - November 30 Size: must be less than 35cm from January 1 - June 30 & December 1 - December 311 from January 1 - June 30 & December 1 - December 31; 2 from July 1 - November 30 Size: must be less than 35cm from January 1 - June 30 & December 1 - December 31
Dinorwic Lake (49°37'40"N., 92°33'25"W.) and adjoining water bodies (Minnehaha Lake (49°31'27"N., 92°38'45"W.), Rock Lake (49°32'37"N., 92°35'51"W.), Turtlepond Lake (49°32'43"N., 92°36'46"W.))MuskellungeNo change1, must be greater than 137 cm0
Dinorwic Lake (49°37'40"N., 92°33'25"W.) and adjoining water bodies (Minnehaha Lake (49°31'27"N., 92°38'45"W.), Rock Lake (49°32'37"N., 92°35'51"W.),Turtlepond Lake (49°32'43"N., 92°36'46"W.))WalleyeNo change4, none between 46-58 cm, not more than 1 greater than 58 cm2, none between 46-58 cm, not more than 1 greater than 58 cm
Dryberry Lake - including Northwest Bay, Point Bay and Point Lake - (49°30'N., 93°50'W.)MuskellungeNo change1, must be greater than 137 cm0
Dryberry Lake - including Northwest Bay, Point Bay and Point Lake - (49°30'N., 93°50'W.)Lake troutNo change2, not more than 1 greater than 65 cm1, any size
Eagle Lake (49°42'N., 93°13'W.)Lake troutNo change2, not more than 1 greater than 65 cm1, any size
Eagle Lake (49°42’N., 93°13’W.)Largemouth and smallmouth bassNo change2 from January 1- June 30 & December 1 - December 31; 4 from July 1 - November 30 Size: must be less than 35cm from January 1 - June 30 & December 1 - December 311 from January 1 - June 30 & December 1 - December 31; 2 from July 1 - November 30 Size: must be less than 35cm from January 1 - June 30 & December 1 - December 31
Eagle Lake (49°42'N., 93°13'W.)MuskellungeNo change1, must be greater than 137 cm0
Eagle Lake (49°42'N., 93°13'W.)Northern pikeNo change4, none between 70-90 cm, not more than 1 greater than 90 cm2, none between 70­ 90 cm, not more than 1 greater than 90 cm
Eagle Lake (49°42'N., 93°13'W.)WalleyeNo change4, none between 46-58 cm, not more than 1 greater than 58 cm2, none between 46-58 cm, not more than 1 greater than 58 cm
Esox Lake (49°06'02"N., 93°15'54"W.)MuskellungeNo change1, must be greater than 122 cm0
Experimental Lakes Area - Pine Road Area - Dryden District - Lakes # 111, 189, 191, 221, 222, 223, 224, 239, 260, 305, 373, 375, 377, 378, 382, 442, 622, 623, 626 and 658All speciesJanuary 1 to December 31N/AN/A
Feather Lake (Quill Lake) (49°00’23”N., 93°42’27”W.) - Pipestone ChainMuskellungeNo change1, must be greater than 122 cm0
Footprint Lake (48°54'01"N., 93°36'30"W.)MuskellungeNo change1, must be greater than 122 cm0
Kakagi Lake (Crow Lake) (49°12'60"N., 93°52'00"W.) - Kenora DistrictLargemouth and smallmouth bassNo change0, from January 1 - June 30; 4 from July 1 - December 310, from January 1 - June 30; 2 from July 1 - December 31
Kakagi Lake (Crow Lake) (49°12'60"N., 93°52'00"W.) - Kenora DistrictMuskellungeNo change1, must be greater than 137 cm0
Lake of the Woods - all portions of Lake of the Woods including waters of the Western Peninsula, Aulneau Peninsula and an unnamed lake at 49°36'N., 94°51'W. and excluding waters of Clearwater Bay, Deception Bay, Woodchuck Bay, Kendal Inlet, Echo Bay, Cul de Sac Lake and Whitefish Bay including Regina, Snake, Boot, Ghost, Brule, Devils, Atikaminke, Camp, Cloverleaf, Log, Reedy, Willow and Sammons Bays, and Knickerbocker, Louis, Cross and Alfred InletsLake troutNo change00
Lake of the Woods - including waters of the Western Peninsula, Aulneau Peninsula and an unnamed lake at 49°36'N., 94°51'W and the Rainy River from the dam in Fort Frances to Wheeler’s Point at Lake of the WoodsLargemouth and smallmouth bassNo change0, from January 1 - June 30; 4 from July 1 - December 310, from January 1 - June 30; 2 from July 1 - December 31
Lake of the Woods - including waters of the Western Peninsula, Aulneau Peninsula and an unnamed lake at 49°36'N., 94°51'W and the Rainy River from the dam in Fort Frances to Wheeler’s Point at Lake of the WoodsYellow perchNo change1510
Lake of the Woods - including waters of the Western Peninsula, Aulneau Peninsula and an unnamed lake at 49°36'N., 94°51'W and the Rainy River from the dam in Fort Frances to Wheeler’s Point at Lake of the WoodsMuskellungeNo change1, must be greater than 137 cm0
Lake of the Woods - including waters of the Western Peninsula, Aulneau Peninsula and an unnamed lake at 49°36'N., 94°51'W and the Rainy River from the dam in Fort Frances to Wheeler’s Point at Lake of the WoodsLake whitefishNo change42
Lake of the Woods - waters of Clearwater Bay, Echo Bay (49°42'N., 94°48'W.) and Cul de Sac Lake (49°38'N., 94°50'W.), Clearwater Bay (49°42'N., 94°45'W.), Deception Bay (49°42'N., 94°48'W.), Woodchuck Bay (49°41'N., 94°2'W.) and Kendal Inlet (49°44'N., 94°52'W.)Lake troutJanuary 1 to the Friday before the 3rd Saturday in May and October 1 to December 310, except for tag holders0, except for tag holders
Lake of the Woods - Whitefish Bay - including Regina, Snake, Boot, Ghost, Brule, Devils, Atikaminke, Camp, Cloverleaf, Log, Reedy, Clipper, Willow and Sammons Bays and Knickerbocker, Louis, Cross and Alfred InletsLake troutNo change2, not more than 1 greater than 65 cm1, any size.
Lakes # 20 (49°07'46"N., 92°08'19"W.), 26 (49°07'23"N., 92°08'40"W.), 39 (49°05'42"N., 92°09'56"W.), 42 (49°05'05"N., 92°09'36"W.) - Research Lakes - Centre for Northern Forest Ecosystem ResearchLake troutJanuary 1 to December 31N/AN/A
Lower Manitou Lake (49°15'15"N., 92°59'19"W.)MuskellungeNo change1, must be greater than 122 cm0
Manomin Lake (48°52'00"N., 93°43'13"W.) - Fleming TownshipMuskellungeNo change1, must be greater than 122 cm0
Meggisi Lake (49°17'04"N., 92°34'55"W.)MuskellungeNo change1, must be greater than 122 cm0
Pipestone Lake - Pipestone Chain (49°04'60"N., 93°33'00"W.)MuskellungeNo change1, must be greater than 122 cm0
Rainy River - from dam in Fort Frances downstream to Wheeler’s Point at Lake of the WoodsWalleyeNo change2, must be less than 46 cm from March 1 - April 142, must be less than 46 cm from March 1 - April 14
Rainy River - from Rainy Lake downstream to the Fort Frances dam. Rainy Lake (48°43'20"N., 93°15'41"W.), Seine River System - from Kettle Point of Rainy Lake upstream to Sturgeon Falls Dam (Crilly Dam), situated immediately north of Highway 11, including Little Grassy, Grassy, Shoal, Wild Potato and Partridge Crop lakesMuskellungeNo change1, must be greater than 122 cm0
Rainy River - from Rainy Lake downstream to the Fort Frances dam. Rainy Lake (48°43'20"N., 93°15'41"W.), Seine River System - from Kettle Point of Rainy Lake upstream to Sturgeon Falls Dam (Crilly Dam), situated immediately north of Highway 11, including Little Grassy, Grassy, Shoal, Wild Potato and Partridge Crop lakesNorthern pikeNo change4 None between 70-90 cm, not more than 1 greater than 90 cm2 None between 70­ 90 cm, not more than 1 greater than 90 cm
Rainy River - from Rainy Lake downstream to the Fort Frances dam. Rainy Lake (48°43'20"N., 93°15'41"W.), Seine River System - from Kettle Point of Rainy Lake upstream to Sturgeon Falls Dam (Crilly Dam), situated immediately north of Highway 11, including Little Grassy, Grassy, Shoal, Wild Potato and Partridge Crop lakesSmallmouth and largemouth bassNo change

2 from January 1 - June 30 December 1 - December 31;

4 from July 1 - November 30

Size: must be less than 35 cm from January 1 - June 30 December 1 - December 31

1 from January 1 - June 30 December 1 - December 31;

2 from July 1 - November 30

Size: must be less than 35 cm from January 1 - June 30 December 1 - December 31

Rainy River - from Rainy Lake downstream to the Fort Frances dam. Rainy Lake (48°43'20"N., 93°15'41"W.), Seine River System - from Kettle Point of Rainy Lake upstream to Sturgeon Falls Dam (Crilly Dam), situated immediately north of Highway 11, including Little Grassy, Grassy, Shoal, Wild Potato and Partridge Crop lakesWalleyeNo change4, must be between 35-45 cm or greater than 70 cm and not more than 1 greater than 70 cm2, must be between 35­ 45 cm or greater than 70 cm and not more than 1 greater than 70 cm
Rowan Lake (49°19'00"N., 93°33'00"W.)MuskellungeNo change1, must be greater than 137 cm0
Schistose Lake (49°09'17"N., 93°36'18"W.)MuskellungeNo change1, must be greater than 122 cm0
Seahorse Lake (49°06'03"N., 93°18'03"W.)Lake troutJanuary 1 to December 31N/AN/A
Shoal Lake above Ash Rapids - Kenora DistrictLake whitefishNo change42
Shoal Lake above Ash Rapids - Kenora DistrictLargemouth and smallmouth bassNo change0, from January 1 - June 30; 4 from July 1 - December 310, from January 1 - June 30; 2 from July 1 - December 31
Shoal Lake above Ash Rapids - Kenora DistrictMuskellungeNo change1, must be greater than 137 cm0
Shoal Lake above Ash Rapids - Kenora DistrictWalleyeJanuary 1 to December 31N/AN/A
Shoal Lake above Ash Rapids - Kenora DistrictYellow perchNo change1510
Slender Lake (49°01'60"N., 93°41'56"W.)MuskellungeNo change1, must be greater than 122 cm0
Wabigoon Lake (49°44'09"N., 92°43'52"W.) and adjoining waterbodies (Mile Lake (49°40'53"N., 92°46'43"W.), Trap Lake (49°39'34"N., 92°47'19"W.), Butler Lake (49°40'24"N., 92°39'02"W.), Olsen Lake (49°39'06"N., 92°37'47"W.), Larson Lake (49°38'23"N., 92°37'06"W.), Paulson Lake (49°37'26"N., 92°36'54"W.))MuskellungeNo change1, must be greater than 137 cm0
Wabigoon Lake (49°44'09"N., 92°43'52"W.) and adjoining waterbodies (Mile Lake (49°40'53"N., 92°46'43"W.), Trap Lake (49°39'34"N., 92°47'19"W.), Butler Lake (49°40'24"N., 92°39'02"W.), Olsen Lake (49°39'06"N., 92°37'47"W.), Larson Lake (49°38'23"N., 92°37'06"W.), Paulson Lake (49°37'26"N., 92°36'54"W.))Black and white crappieNo change1510
Wabigoon Lake (49°44'09"N., 92°43'52"W.) and adjoining waterbodies (Mile Lake (49°40'53"N., 92°46'43"W.), Trap Lake (49°39'34"N., 92°47'19"W.), Butler Lake (49°40'24"N., 92°39'02"W.), Olsen Lake (49°39'06"N., 92°37'47"W.), Larson Lake (49°38'23"N., 92°37'06"W.), Paulson Lake (49°37'26"N., 92°36'54"W.))Largemouth and smallmouth bassNo Change2, from January 1 - June 30 & December 1 - December 31; 4, from July 1 - November 30 Size: must be less than 35cm from January 1 - June 30 & December 1 - December 311, from January 1 - June 30 & December 1 - December 31; 2, from July 1 - November 30 Size: must be less than 35cm from January 1 - June 30 & December 1 - December 31
Wabigoon Lake (49°44'09"N., 92°43'52"W.) and adjoining waterbodies (Mile Lake (49°40'53"N., 92°46'43"W.), Trap Lake (49°39'34"N., 92°47'19"W.), Butler Lake (49°40'24"N., 92°39'02"W.), Olsen Lake (49°39'06"N., 92°37'47"W.), Larson Lake (49°38'23"N., 92°37'06"W.), Paulson Lake (49°37'26"N., 92°36'54"W.))Wabigoon Lake (49°44'N., 86°23'W.) and adjoining waterbodies (Mile Lake (49°40'N., 92°46'W.), Trap Lake (49°39'N., 92°47'W.), Butler Lake (49°41'N., 92°40'W.), Olsen Lake (49°40'N., 92°37'W.), Larson Lake (49°38'N., 92°37'W.), Paulson Lake (49°37'N., 92°37'WWalleyeNo change4, none between 46-58 cm, not more than 1 greater than 58 cm2, none between 46-58 cm, not more than 1 greater than 58 cm
Weld Lake (49°01'39"N., 93°40'17"W.)MuskellungeNo change1, must be greater than 122 cm0
Winnipeg River System - from outflow of Lake of the Woods to the Manitoba Border including the waters of: Big Sand Lake (50°08'N., 94°38'W.), Eaglenest Lake (50°12'43"N., 95°08'40"W.), English River, from the Winnipeg and English Rivers upstream to the Caribou Falls dam, Gun Lake (49°58'N., 94°39'W.), Hidden Lake (50°04'52"N., 94°35'48"W.), Little Sand Lake (50°03'N., 94°42'W.), Lost Lake (50°01'N., 94°39'W.), MacFarlane River to Ena Lake Dam, Middle Lake (49°46'N., 94°37'W.), Muriel Lake (49°49'N., 94°41'W.), Pistol Lake (50°00'N., 94°43'W.), Roughrock Lake (50°06'N., 94°46'W.), Swan Lake (50°03'46"N, 94°54'30"W.) and Tetu Lake (50°10'58"N., 95°02'10"W.)Lake whitefishNo change42
Winnipeg River System - from outflow of Lake of the Woods to the Manitoba Border including the waters of: Big Sand Lake (50°08'N., 94°38'W.), Eaglenest Lake (50°12'43"N., 95°08'40"W.), English River, from the Winnipeg and English Rivers upstream to the Caribou Falls dam, Gun Lake (49°58'N., 94°39'W.), Hidden Lake (50°04'52"N., 94°35'48"W.), Little Sand Lake (50°03'N., 94°42'W.), Lost Lake (50°01'N., 94°39'W.), MacFarlane River to Ena Lake Dam, Middle Lake (49°46'N., 94°37'W.), Muriel Lake (49°49'N., 94°41'W.), Pistol Lake (50°00'N., 94°43'W.), Roughrock Lake (50°06'N., 94°46'W.), Swan Lake (50°03'46"N, 94°54'30"W.) and Tetu Lake (50°10'58"N., 95°02'10"W.)Largemouth and smallmouth bassNo change0, from January 1 - June 30; 4 from July 1 - December 310, from January 1 - June 30; 2 from July 1 - December 31
Winnipeg River System - from outflow of Lake of the Woods to the Manitoba Border including the waters of: Big Sand Lake (50°08'N., 94°38'W.), Eaglenest Lake (50°12'43"N., 95°08'40"W.), English River, from the Winnipeg and English Rivers upstream to the Caribou Falls dam, Gun Lake (49°58'N., 94°39'W.), Hidden Lake (50°04'52"N., 94°35'48"W.), Little Sand Lake (50°03'N., 94°42'W.), Lost Lake (50°01'N., 94°39'W.), MacFarlane River to Ena Lake Dam, Middle Lake (49°46'N., 94°37'W.), Muriel Lake (49°49'N., 94°41'W.), Pistol Lake (50°00'N., 94°43'W.), Roughrock Lake (50°06'N., 94°46'W.), Swan Lake (50°03'46"N, 94°54'30"W.) and Tetu Lake (50°10'58"N., 95°02'10"W.)MuskellungeNo change1, must be greater than 137 cm0
Winnipeg River System - from outflow of Lake of the Woods to the Manitoba Border including the waters of: Big Sand Lake (50°08'N., 94°38'W.), Eaglenest Lake (50°12'43"N., 95°08'40"W.), English River, from the Winnipeg and English Rivers upstream to the Caribou Falls dam, Gun Lake (49°58'N., 94°39'W.), Hidden Lake (50°04'52"N., 94°35'48"W.), Little Sand Lake (50°03'N., 94°42'W.), Lost Lake (50°01'N., 94°39'W.), MacFarlane River to Ena Lake Dam, Middle Lake (49°46'N., 94°37'W.), Muriel Lake (49°49'N., 94°41'W.), Pistol Lake (50°00'N., 94°43'W.), Roughrock Lake (50°06'N., 94°46'W.), Swan Lake (50°03'46"N, 94°54'30"W.) and Tetu Lake (50°10'58"N., 95°02'10"W.)Walleye and saugerMarch 15 to the Friday before the 3rd Saturday in May4, walleye must be between 35-45 cm and only one 1 sauger greater than 45 cm2, walleye must be between 35­ 45 cm and only one 1 sauger greater than 45 cm
Winnipeg River System - from outflow of Lake of the Woods to the Manitoba Border including the waters of: Big Sand Lake (50°08'N., 94°38'W.), Eaglenest Lake (50°12'43"N., 95°08'40"W.), English River, from the Winnipeg and English Rivers upstream to the Caribou Falls dam, Gun Lake (49°58'N., 94°39'W.), Hidden Lake (50°04'52"N., 94°35'48"W.), Little Sand Lake (50°03'N., 94°42'W.), Lost Lake (50°01'N., 94°39'W.), MacFarlane River to Ena Lake Dam, Middle Lake (49°46'N., 94°37'W.), Muriel Lake (49°49'N., 94°41'W.), Pistol Lake (50°00'N., 94°43'W.), Roughrock Lake (50°06'N., 94°46'W.), Swan Lake (50°03'46"N, 94°54'30"W.) and Tetu Lake (50°10'58"N., 95°02'10"W.)Yellow perchNo change1510

Schedule C – Non- resident daily catch and retain quotas and size limits for Fisheries Management Zone 5

The Daily catch and retain quotas and size limits (measured in total length) set out in this Schedule apply in the following waters for non-residents
WatersSpecies or combination of speciesNon-resident Sport fishing licence quota and size limitNon-resident conservation fishing licence quota and size limit
The waters of Rainy Lake (48°43'20"N., 93°15'41"W.) and the Seine River system including Little Grassy lake, Grassy Lake, Shoal Lake, Wild Potato Lake and Partridge Crop Lake lying downstream from the Crilly Dam which is situated immediately north of Highway 11 and the Rainy River upstream from the Fort Frances Dam to Rainy LakeWalleye and sauger1 walleye or sauger, of which walleye must be between 35-45 cm or greater than 70 cm in length and sauger may be any size1 walleye or sauger, of which walleye must be between 35-45 cm or greater than 70 cm in length and sauger may be any size