Ontario MNRF Fishing Regulations · 10 Zones
Fishing Zones
Ontario is divided into regulated fishing zones by the Ministry of Natural Resources and Forestry. Each zone has unique species, regulations, and best fishing seasons. Find your zone below.
Georgian Bay & Lake Huron North Shore
Georgian Bay is a UNESCO Biosphere Reserve and one of Ontario's premier freshwater fishing destinations. Stretching from Parry Sound north to Cape Croker, this vast archipelago of ...
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Lake Superior & North Shore
Ontario's Lake Superior coastline stretches over 600 km from the Minnesota border to the Quebec boundary. This vast, wild fishery is renowned for its trophy lake trout, salmon, and...
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Lake Nipissing & Northeastern Ontario
Lake Nipissing sits at the crossroads of Northern and Central Ontario, offering diverse fishing for walleye, northern pike, smallmouth bass, and lake trout. As one of the deepest l...
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Lake Simcoe & Muskoka
Lake Simcoe and the Muskoka lakes district form one of Ontario's most popular fishing regions, drawing millions of visitors annually. Lake Simcoe is a walleye powerhouse — consiste...
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Kawartha Lakes & Trent-Severn Waterway
The Kawartha Lakes and the historic Trent-Severn Waterway form a connected inland fishery stretching from Peterborough to Lake Huron. This 386-kilometre route of lakes, rivers, and...
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Lake Erie & Southwestern Ontario
Lake Erie is Ontario's warmest Great Lake and one of the most productive freshwater fisheries in North America. Its shallow southern basin supports massive populations of yellow pe...
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Lake Ontario & Golden Horseshoe
Lake Ontario is the most populous Great Lake, with over 10 million people living along its shores. Despite urban pressure, it remains a world-class fishery for salmon, trout, small...
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St. Lawrence River & Ottawa River
The St. Lawrence River and Ottawa River form two of Ontario's most iconic waterways, each offering distinct fishing experiences. The St. Lawrence — from Cornwall through the Thousa...
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Rideau Canal & Rideau Lakes
The Rideau Canal — a UNESCO World Heritage Site and the world's longest surviving canal system — connects Ottawa to Kingston through a chain of lakes and rivers. Beyond its histori...
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Lake of the Woods & Northwest Ontario
Lake of the Woods is one of the most famous fishing destinations in North America — a vast maze of 14,587 islands across 4,306 square kilometres of water. Known as the "Walleye Cap...
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Need an Ontario Fishing Licence?
All anglers 18–65 need a valid Ontario Fishing Licence. A Trout-Salmon stamp is required for all zones. Download the free Ontario Fishing Regulations Summary app or pick up a copy at any licence vendor.
Official MNRF Regulations →