Fishing regulation changes
New regulations and information in the 2021 Recreational Fishing Regulations Summary have been listed on this page and link to the corresponding section within this Summary for your convenience. In the print and PDF versions of this Summary these changes are highlighted in bold red font.
Pending changes
Pending Multiple lines for common carp and clarifying chumming regulations
In June 2019, the MNRF presented a proposal to allow the use of multiple lines when angling for common carp in certain Fisheries Management Zones, and to clarify the rules around chumming (or baiting) fishing areas provincially. At the time of printing, we are working with Fisheries and Oceans Canada to finalize changes to the Ontario Fishery Regulations to enable this proposal. We anticipate changes coming into effect in the Spring of 2021. Please refer to fishing notices and updates for more details.
Fisheries Management Zone 7
Lake trout
Additional fishing opportunities
Season: open all year
- McLeod Lake (49°31’52”N., 86°33’13”W.)
- Raynar Lake (49°58’29”N., 86°29’40”W.) – Raynar Township
Fisheries Management Zone 8
The following waterbodies, or portions of them, have different regulations that are listed in the waterbody exceptions:
- Big Club Lake
- Nayowin Lake
- Pallet Lake
Waterbody exceptions
Big Club Lake (48°28’N., 80°48’W.) Bond and MacKlem Townships
- Live fish may not be used as bait or possessed for use as bait
- Fish sanctuary - no fishing from January 1 to July 31 and October 16 to December 31
- Aurora trout - open from August 1 to October 15
- Aurora trout - S-1 and C-0
Nayowin Lake (47°47’N., 81°23’W.) - Burrows Township
- Live fish may not be used as bait or possessed for use as bait
- Fish sanctuary - no fishing from January 1 to July 31 and October 16 to December 31
- Aurora trout - open from August 1 to October 15
- Aurora trout - S-1 and C-0
Pallet Lake (48°16’N., 80°39’W.) - Nordica Township
- Live fish may not be used as bait or possessed for use as bait
- Fish sanctuary - no fishing from January 1 to July 31 and October 16 to December 31
- Aurora trout - open from August 1 to October 15
- Aurora trout - S-1 and C-0
Bait restrictions
Live fish may not be used as bait or possessed for use as bait
- Big Club Lake (48°28’N., 80°48’W.) - see waterbody exceptions
- Nayowin Lake (47°47’N., 81°23’W.) - see waterbody exceptions
- Pallet Lake (48°16’N., 80°39’W.) - see waterbody exceptions
Fish sanctuaries
No fishing - from January 1 to July 31 and October 16 to December 31
- Big Club Lake (48°28’N., 80°48’W..) - see waterbody exceptions
- Nayowin Lake (47°47’N., 81°23’W.) - see waterbody exceptions
- Pallet Lake (48°16’N., 80°39’W.) - see waterbody exceptions
Fisheries Management Zone 10
Fish sanctuaries
No fishing - closed all year
- Carol Lake - Beulah Township
- Lake 21 (47°37’N., 80°57’W.) - Tyrell Township
Fisheries Management Zone 11
Fish sanctuaries
No fishing - closed all year
- Liberty Lake - Aston Township
Fisheries Management Zone 16
Atlantic salmon, brown trout, Pacific salmon and rainbow trout
Additional fishing opportunities
Season: open from fourth Saturday in April to December 31 (extended fall season)
Limits: Zone-wide limits apply
- Saugeen River - Arran, Amabel, Brant, Elderslie and Saugeen Townships and in the Town of Walkerton and the Village of Paisley, between the southerly edge of the Municipality of Brockton Concession 2 SDR. bridge and the westerly edge of the concrete abutments downstream of Denny’s Dam
Fisheries Management Zone 20
Zone-wide seasons and limits
Bass
Largemouth bass
Early season catch and release: January 1 to May 10
Limits: S-0 and C-0
Regular season: third Saturday in June to December 31
Limits: S-6 and C-2
Smallmouth bass
Early season catch and release: January 1 to May 10
Limits: S-0 and C-0
Regular season: first Saturday in July to December 31
Limits: S-6 and C-2
Aggregate bass limits apply (S-6 and C-2)