Recreational Fishing RegulationsWhat’s new for 2014?

New Regulations for 2014

Ontario’s fishing regulations help to ensure that our world class fisheries remain healthy. New regulations included in the 2014 Recreational Fishing Regulations Summary were developed to:

• Provide additional angling opportunities where they are sustainable• Protect the sustainability of populations by limiting the number or

size of fish that can be harvested, or by reducing the number of days during the year they can be targeted.

• Protect the quality of valuable fisheries by regulating the size of fish that can be harvested.

Effective January 1, 2014, a new Recreational Fishing Regulations Summary will be available at authorized licence issuers, ServiceOntario locations and at the Ontario Government website at ontario.ca/fishing.

This brochure highlights a number of regulation changes that anglers should be aware of before going fishing in 2014. It is for reference purposes only and does not include all regulations.

Among the changes, look for new lake trout size limits in Zone 4, new bass, crappie and northern pike regulations in Zone 5, and new bass regulations in Zone 10. Anglers are reminded to check the 2014 Fishing Regulations Summary (available late-December, 2013) to become familiar with the regulation changes before going fishing.

Points importants des nouveaux règlements

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ontario.ca/zonecouncils

Zone Regulation Change for 2014*

In 2008, the ministry began a long-term program to monitor the health of Ontario’s lakes. The program allows the ministry to better understand the current state of fish and other aquatic resources, identify stresses on these resources and report on changes over time. The program is already providing information critical for managing our fisheries more effectively. Across Ontario, more than 800 lakes have been sampled, providing information on fish abundance, growth rates, diet, contaminant levels and reproduction, as well as water quality, invasive species and angling effort.

Since 2008, the ministry has been working to increase public participation in fisheries management. Fisheries advisory councils help the ministry to develop fisheries management objectives and strategies, including regulatory options. Council members are doing a great public service by volunteering their time and providing advice to ensure Ontario’s fisheries provide benefits now and in the future. Many of the regulation changes included in the 2014 Recreational Fishing Regulations Summary have been developed in cooperation with Fisheries Management Zone advisory councils.

Contact us

For more information, contact the Natural Resources Information Centre at 1-800-667-1940.

* S = Limits for Sportfishing licence holders; C = Limits for Conservation licence holders

New Regulation Highlights

For reference purposes only. List does not include all fishing regulations. Be sure to read the Recreational Fishing Regulations Summary before going fishing. The summary is available at local license issuers, ServiceOntario locations and at ontario.ca/fishing

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ontario.ca/zonecouncils

4The size-based regulation for lake trout has been extended to the entire open season.

4/5 The dates for walleye sanctuaries have been harmonized to April 1 to June 14.

5New simplified bass regulations. New limits are S - 4, C -2; must be less than 35 cm (13.8 in.) from January 1 - June 30.

5 New northern pike size-based regulation. S - 4, C - 2; None over 75 cm (29.5 in.).

5 New crappie limits to maintain sustainable high quality fisheries. S - 10, C - 5.

5New bass, walleye, sauger, yellow perch and lake whitefish regulations for the Winnipeg River.

5

Maintained existing regulations for the Wabigoon, Dinorwic, Rainy Lake, Seine River, Shoal Lake and Lake of the Woods Systems by adding new exceptions.

10

Bass season opens one week earlier (3rd Saturday in June) in the south of Zone 10 and is open all year in areas north of Hwy 17.

10

Harmonized seasons for lake trout between stocked lakes and naturally reproducing lakes, open January 1 to Labour Day.

11Removed the exception regulation for yellow perch limits on Lake Nipissing. Limits are now S - 50, C - 25.