As a resident of Canada, your fishing-version Outdoors Card must have a fishing licence tag attached to it in order to be a valid licence.
If you are a non-resident of Canada, your basic licence form must be signed and have the appropriate licence tag attached to it to be valid.
Keep in mind that your Outdoors Card or non-resident licence is not transferable; it provides privileges to you alone. Remember to carry it with you at all times when fishing.
If a Conservation Officer asks to see your licence, the law states that you must show it.
Open Fishing Seasons
It is illegal to attempt to catch fish for which the season is closed, even if you are going to release them. Closed seasons protect fish at vulnerable times of the year, especially when they are spawning or protecting their young.
Unless stated otherwise, species that are not listed (such as sucker and rock bass) have a year-round open season.
Catch and Possession Limits
Fishery laws limit the number of fish you may catch or possess. The number depends on the type of licence you hold, the species, where they are caught and, in some cases, their size. Note that for some species there are no limits. In these cases no reference will be made to a limit in the MNR Fishing Summary.
The catch limit is the number of fish you are allowed to catch and keep in one day. The possession limit is the number you are allowed to have in your possession on hand, in cold storage, in transit, etc. Possession limits are the same as one day's catch limit except where otherwise specified.
If you catch a fish after reaching the daily catch and retain or possession limit for that species, the fish must be released immediately back to the water.
Shore Meals - Fish which are consumed as part of a shore lunch are also part of your daily catch limit. It is illegal to destroy, or to allow to spoil, fish which have been caught and which are suitable for food.
Size Limits
A variety of size restrictions apply to some species and waterbodies. Unless otherwise stated, size limits refer to total length, which is a measure from the tip of the mouth with the jaws closed to the tip of the tail, with the tail fin lobes compressed to give the maximum possible length.
For some waterbodies, the regulation may specify a size limit that is a fork length. Fork length is a measure from the tip of the mouth with the jaws closed to the central part of the tail fin (see below). If you catch a fish in a restricted size range, you must release it immediately. (See Tips on Live Release of Fish).
Provincial regulations are established using the metric system. The conversion to inches has been rounded to one decimal place for the convenience of anglers.
Transporting, Packing and Exporting Fish
When you are exporting, transporting or storing fish, you must ensure that the fish can be easily identified and counted. Where length limits apply, you must also ensure that the length of the fish can be determined except as described in Packaging Fish for Transport or Storage.
Export of Fish
A recreational angler may, on leaving Ontario, take the designated possession limits for fish captured from a specific waterbody. Those with a Sport Fishing Licence may take the "S" possession limit and those with a Conservation Licence may take the "C" possession limit.
Packaging Fish for Transport or Storage
Many anglers travel long distances or cross international borders to enjoy the adventure of fishing in Ontario. We want to make sure that if you are packaging fish for the trip home, you are doing it according to regulations that help us monitor and enforce laws in place to protect fisheries resources.
1. Fish caught and retained may be gilled and gutted but fish length must be readily measurable at all times for fish taken from waterbodies where size limits are in effect, unless the fish:
- are being prepared for immediate consumption;
- are prepared at an overnight accommodation for storage;
- are being transported on the water from a temporary overnight accommodation to that person's primary residence and that person is NOT engaged in sport fishing; or;
- are being transported overland.
2. In addition, when packaging all fish for transport or storage, anglers must ensure that a Conservation Officer can determine:
- the number of fish that you have;
- the species that you have in your possession.
When Packaging Fish, Anglers Should:
- Leave a large patch of the skin on all fillets for identification;
- Pack or freeze fish separately and flat so that they can be counted and identified (clear plastic bags or clear plastic wrap is preferred).
Transfer of Live Fish or Spawn
No live fish or live spawn may be transferred from one body of water to another without the authorization of the Ministry of Natural Resources.
Live Holding Boxes
If you use a live holding box or impounding device, it must be clearly marked with your name and address unless it forms part of or is attached to a boat. Any fish in holding boxes are part of your limit. Live holding boxes are not permitted in Div. 34 unless they form part of, or are attached to the boat.
Conservation Officers
Conservation Officers have powers of inspection, arrest, search and seizure under the various statutes they enforce, including the Fish and Wildlife Conservation Act and the Fisheries Act. When carrying out their duties Conservation Officers may do the following:
- Stop and inspect a vehicle, boat or aircraft;
- Ask questions relevant to the inspection;
- Inspect buildings or other places;
- Search with a warrant;
- Search without a warrant in circumstances requiring immediate action;
- Seize items related to an offence;
- Arrest anyone the Conservation Officer believes has committed, is committing, or is about to commit an offence.
Conservation Officers operate random "Fish Check Stations" throughout the year. At these stations, Conservation Officers collect information on fish caught by anglers and make sure the regulations are obeyed in order to manage and protect Ontario's fisheries resources.
Police Officers appointed under the Police Services Act, RCMP Officers, National Wildlife Officers, National Park Wardens and Conservation Officers of all border states and provinces are designated Conservation Officers in Ontario.
