Ministry of Natural Resources Publications

The following publications are free to download. MNR produces many other publications which are available at a cost. Please visit the MNR Store website for a complete listing.

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• Protecting What Sustains Us: Ontario's Biodiversity Strategy 2005 (Size: 1.9 Mb)

Broken down into sections for faster downloading:

• General Information: Important dates and phone numbers, hunter safety, general regulations, preparing wild game, definitions, MNR offices and Service Ontario offices (PDF, 765 K)
• New and Pending Regulations (PDF, 49 K)
• Licence Information (PDF, 100 K)
• Wildlife Management Unit Maps (PDF, 748 K)
• Wild Turkey (PDF, 83 K)
• Moose (PDF, 441 K)
• News: Expanded Moose seasons for fall 2006
• Deer (PDF, 230 K)
  News: Expanded Deer Seasons for Fall 2006
• Black Bear (PDF, 104 K)
• Small Game and Waterfowl (PDF, 2.3 MB)

Additional Hunting Information:

For additional hunting information, including Sunday hunting and wild turkey check stations, visit the hunting section of the Fish & Wildlife Menu.

Note: This document is the applicable guide / manual for this topic area of the Provincial Policy Statement until a revised document is issued.

A Proposed Wetland Restoration Project - Lake St. Clair
Final Report

The Eastern Habitat Joint Venture has identified Lake St. Clair as one of Ontario's top priorities for migratory waterfowl habitat conservation. This comprehensive report examines the socio-economic and environmental effects of a proposed 1000 acre wetland restoration project near Lake St. Clair in southwestern Ontario, and provides a framework for similar studies. It will be of interest to municipal planners, biologists, economists, engineers, conservation groups, the agricultural community and all those who appreciate the diversity of birds and wildlife that healthy wetlands make possible.

NOTE: This electronic report is designed to be very easy to navigate. Please download all four sections to the same directory on your computer so you can benefit from the links and other features we have incorporated.

Download: Part One (Size: 125 k) | Part Two (Size: 2.3 Mb) | Part Three (Size: 2 Mb) | Part Four (Size: 1.6 Mb)

• Front Section (Size: 3.7 Mb)
• Information Section (Size: 2.3 Mb)
• Map A (Size: 3.0 Mb)
• Map B (Size: 2.8 Mb)
• Map C (Size: 5.6 Mb)
• Map D (Size: 2.6 Mb)
• Map E (Size: 1.9 Mb)
• Fish Identification Charts (Size: 2.6 Mb)

• Cover (Size: 55 K)
• Inside cover to Page 7 (Size: 1 Mb)
• Page 8 to Page 15 (Size: 2.1 Mb)
• Page 16 to Page 19 (Size: 2.2 Mb)
• Page 20 to Page 27 (Size: 579 K)
• Page 28 to Last Page (Size: 1.1. Mb)

Executive Summary

The use of catch-and-release practices by anglers is increasing. This increase is a result of both anglers viewing the process as a conservation technique and also because catch-and-release practices are being mandated by fisheries managers. Despite the widespread use of catch-and-release, there is generally a lack of understanding regarding the mortality caused by the practice and how variation in catch-and-release techniques may affect the level of mortality.

Fortunately, the increase in catch-and-release practice by anglers has coincided with an increase in research examining catch-and-release practices. While most of the studies to date have been species specific, there are general recommendations that can be made based on the available information.

While catch-and-release is physiologically stressful, stress and therefore mortality can be minimized by following some general catch-and-release guidelines. Gear should be appropriate for the species being angled, allowing for quick retrieval. The use of barbless hooks and circle hooks should be considered to reduce the amount of time required to release fish. Air exposure should be minimized and fish should be released quickly. Depth of capture, hooking location and bleeding should be taken into account when deciding on whether or not to release a fish.

When performed correctly, catch-and-release can be successful with minimal harm to the fish and should be encouraged. However, due to the variation among species in response to catch-and-release techniques, it is recommended that further research is needed to create species-specific guidelines.

The Ministry of Natural Resources (MNR) has completed a study to determine the status of walleye populations in Southern Region as part of the Southern Region Walleye Management Review. This study is similar to others previously completed in northwestern and northeastern Ontario. MNR initiated this study because walleye are highly sought by anglers and declines in fishing quality have been reported. Walleye is the most valued fish species in Ontario, providing important recreational fisheries. MNR is examining new management options to protect and enhance these fisheries.

This tabloid provides information about what the MNR has learned regarding the status of walleye populations in Southern Region, and information on how you can get involved.

• F1Splake: An Annotated Bibliography and Literature Review (Size: 644 K)
• Rainbow Trout Stocking in Inland Lakes and Streams: An Annotated Bibliography and Literature Review (Size: 1 Mb)
• Brook Trout Stocking: An Annotated Bibliography and Literature Review with an Emphasis on Ontario Waters (Size: 928 K)
• Lake Trout Stocking in Inland Lakes: An Annotated Bibliography and Literature Review (Size: 890 K)
• Brown Trout Stocking:An Annotated Bibliography and Literature Review (Size: 895 K)
• Bass Stocking and Transfers: An Annotated Bibliography and Literature Review (Size: 1.1 Mb)
• Esocid Stocking: An Annotated Bibliography and Literature Review (Size: 764 K)
• Lake Whitefish Culture and Stocking:An Annotated Bibliography and Literature Review (Size: 558 K)

• Pages 1 to 45 (Size: 6.8 MB)
• Pages 46 to 92 (Size: 4.3 MB)

Note: This document is the applicable guide / manual for this topic area of the Provincial Policy Statement until a revised document is issued.

This document, the Natural Heritage Reference Manual, is a guide for those who require additional information on technical issues relative to the application of Section 2.3 - Natural Heritage of the Provincial Policy Statement (PPS) (Table 1.1). The PPS provides policy direction on matters of provincial interest in municipal land use planning under the Planning Act. Section 3 of the Planning Act requires that planning authorities "shall have regard to" the PPS when exercising any authority that affects a planning matter.

The Natural Heritage Reference Manual is one of a number of documents issued by the Province to assist planning authorities and other participants in the land use planning system. This Reference Manual, developed in consultation with practitioners, represents the most up-to-date information available at the date of publication on specific technical issues relating to the PPS.

The Natural Heritage Reference Manual should not be read in isolation from the PPS and the other support documents. These documents are advisory only and may be updated as technology or techniques improve. They provide information to assist in understanding the policy. They do not add to or derogate from policy. Except as otherwise specified (e.g., where requirements are established by legislation or regulation), they do not represent the only acceptable approaches. There may be many ways to achieve the end results established in the PPS. However, in all cases planning authorities must have regard to the PPS.

This Manual applies to municipalities, planning boards and planning authorities, all of which are referred to as planning authorities from this point forward. Users of this Manual will also include consultants, landowners, land developers, environmental agencies, community-based organizations, non-government organizations (NGOs), interested citizens and the Ontario Municipal Board.

• Natural Heritage Reference Manual (Size: 2.2 Mb)

Introduction to the Atlas

Under the joint Great Lakes Water Quality Agreement (GLWQA), the United States and Canada are committed to the restoration and maintenance of the chemical, physical and biological integrity of the Great lakes basin ecosystem. In support of this work, bi-national, State of the Lake Ecosystem Conferences (SOLEC) are held. The 1996 State of the Lake Ecosystem Conference (SOLEC) examined the health of aquatic and terrestrial communities and the biological habitat of nearshore ecosystems in the Great Lakes. The background paper presented on coastal wetlands concluded that there is no comprehensive inventory or evaluation of Great Lakes coastal wetlands (Maynard and Wilcox, 1997). This lack of information on Great Lakes wetlands has also been recognized in Strategy 2 of the Great Lakes Wetlands Conservation Action Plan (GLWCAP), where the need to develop a wetland database has been identified. Information on wetlands is required by many National, Provincial and local governments, non-government agencies, and individuals interested in wetland conservation and restoration. It can be used to:

• assess and monitor the status, losses of and changes in coastal wetlands;
• develop habitat management strategies;
• target limited resources for conservation and restoration programs;
• set goals for biodiversity and endangered species recovery plans;
• identify natural heritage areas, for land use planning purposes; and
• identify inventory and information gaps.

A number of attempts have been made to use LANDSAT data (25-30 m resolution) to identify and monitor wetlands. This has proved to be ineffective, in terms of providing accurate information on the location, size and type of wetlands. Participants at a 1997 workshop on remote sensing concluded that information collected through site level wetland evaluations and studies are critical for providing a large-scale summary of the location, characteristics and status of Great Lakes wetlands (Riley and Snell 1997).

The following report updates and consolidates information on coastal wetlands from a variety of sources including Ontario Ministry of Natural Resources (OMNR) wetland evaluation files, Environment Canada's Environmental Sensitivity Atlases, OMNR's Natural Areas Database and other site specific studies. It provides information on the wetland type, site type, significance and status of wetlands, a qualitative assessment of stressors affecting coastal wetlands, and data on biodiversity with respect to significant species dependent on coastal wetlands. This report and associated database provides a framework for the development of a comprehensive and current coastal wetlands database.

• Front Cover
• Inside Front Cover
• Coastal Wetlands Atlas main report
• Appendix A: 1996 Ontario Ministry of Natural Resources District/Area Office Survey
• Appendix B: A Guide to Appendices E, G, I, K, M, O: Evaluated Coastal Wetlands
• Appendix C: A Guide to Appendices F, H, J, L, N: Natural Areas, Environmental Sensitivity Atlas Wetlands and Other Wetlands with an Unevaluated Coastal Wetland Component
• Appendix D: A Guide to Appendices P to U: Significant Species Reported in Ontario's Great Lakes Coastal Wetlands
• Appendix E: Lake Superior: Evaluated Coastal Wetlands
• Appendix F: Lake Superior: Natural Areas, Environmental Sensitivity Atlas Wetlands and Other Wetlands with an Unevaluated Coastal Wetland Component
• Appendix G: Lake Huron and St. Marys River: Evaluated Coastal Wetlands
• Appendix H: Lake Huron and St. Marys River: Natural Areas, Environmental Sensitivity Atlas Wetlands and Other Wetlands with an Unevaluated Coastal Wetland Component
• Appendix I: Detroit River, Lake St. Clair and St. Clair River: Evaluated Coastal Wetlands
• Appendix J: Detroit River, Lake St. Clair and St. Clair River: Natural Areas, Environmental Sensitivity Atlas Wetlands and Other Wetlands with an Unevaluated Coastal Wetland Component
• Appendix K: Lake Erie: Evaluated Coastal Wetlands
• Appendix L: Lake Erie: Natural Areas, Environmental Sensitivity Atlas Wetlands and Other Wetlands with an Unevaluated Coastal Wetland Component
• Appendix M: Lake Ontario and Niagara River: Evaluated Coastal Wetlands
• Appendix N: Lake Ontario and Niagara River: Natural Areas, Environmental Sensitivity Atlas Wetlands and Other Wetlands with an Unevaluated Coastal Wetland Component
• Appendix O: St. Lawrence River: Evaluated Coastal Wetlands
• Appendix P-U: Confirmed Records of Significant Vascular Plant Species Reported in Ontario's Great Lakes Coastal Wetlands
• Appendix V: Scientific Names of Common (Non-Significant) Species mentioned in the Atlas

For best quality print out the following maps on 11"x17" Tabloid size paper.

• Figure 1: Lake Superior Coastal Wetlands
• Figure 2: Lake Huron and St. Mary's River Coastal Wetlands
• Figure 3: Detroit River, Lake St. Clair and St. Clair River Coastal Wetlands
• Figure 4: Lake Erie Coastal Wetlands
• Figure 5: Lake Ontario and Niagara River Coastal Wetlands
• Figure 6: St. Lawrence River Coastal Wetlands
• Back Cover

Note: This document is the applicable guide / manual for this topic area of the Provincial Policy Statement until a revised document is issued.

• Part 1
  (Size: 2.7 Mb)
• Part 2
  (Size: 3.7 Mb)

NEW!

Our Sustainable Future
Ministry of Natural Resources
Strategic Directions
(Size: 4.1 Mb)

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