Bait, invasive species and VHS

Bait

It is illegal to bring any crayfish, salamanders, live fish or leeches into Ontario for use as bait. It is also illegal to release any live bait or dump the contents of a bait bucket, including the water, into any waters or within 30 metres of any waters, including depositing bait bucket contents on ice.

Only individuals with a valid bait licence can sell baitfish and leeches. The capture and use of live bait is not allowed in some waters. Anglers with a valid recreational fishing licence may capture their own bait for personal use as follows.

Baitfish

Limit: 120 (includes those caught or purchased)

Only Ontario and Canadian resident anglers may capture baitfish. Only the following methods may be used.

• One baitfish trap no more than 51 cm long and 31 cm wide can be used day or night. Baitfish traps must be clearly marked with the licence holder’s name and address.
• One dip-net no more than 183 cm on each side if angular or 183 cm across if circular, during daylight hours only (after sunrise and before sunset).
• Dip-nets and baitfish traps may not be used in Algonquin Park.

Leeches

Limit: 120 (includes those caught or purchased)

Only Ontario and Canadian resident anglers may capture leeches. Only the following methods may be used.

• Only one leech trap no more than 45 cm in any dimension can be used day or night to capture leeches. Leech traps must be clearly marked with the licence holder’s name.

Crayfish

Limit: 36

• Must be used in same waterbody where caught.
• May not be transported overland.
• May be captured using methods outlined for baitfish above.

Frogs

Limit: 12

• Only northern leopard frogs may be captured or used as bait.

Salamanders

• May not be captured, imported, or used as bait in Ontario.

Chumming

The Ministry of Natural Resources and Forestry is working on regulatory changes that would clarify the rules associated with chumming (or baiting) fishing areas. Please refer to fishing regulation changes or fishing notices and updates for details.

Permitted baitfish

Bait regulations protect rare and endangered species, conserve biodiversity and prevent the spread of invasive species. Anglers are responsible to ensure that any baitfish in their possession are permitted baitfish. Only the fish species listed below may be used as live bait:

Invasive species

Invasive species are often spread unknowingly. As an angler or boater, you should always take precautions to help stop invasive species. Ontario’s Invasive Species Act has regulated a number of species to prevent the introduction and spread of species that negatively affect Ontario’s biodiversity. Federal regulations also prohibit the introduction of all aquatic species to an area where they are not naturally found.

For more information on invasive species laws and regulations in Ontario, visit Managing invasive species in Ontario. To report a sighting call the Invading Species Hotline 1-800-563-7711 or visit eddmaps.org/Ontario.

Prohibited species list

In Ontario, it’s illegal to import, possess, deposit, release, transport, breed/grow, buy, sell, lease or trade these species.

Additionally, it’s against the law to possess, transport or release live round or tubenose gobies, rudd or ruffe in Ontario or to import zebra or quagga mussels in Canada.

Sale of fish

Only dead and gutted Asian carps, zander and/or snakeheads may be imported, transported, bought or sold.

Boating

If boating where European water chestnut or water soldier are found, you must:

• avoid boating through the infested area
• prevent spreading these plants to another waterbody by removing them from your boat, motor and trailer before travelling over land
• dispose of plants so they don’t end up back in the waterbody

In general, avoid running boats through aquatic plants as propellers can break aquatic plants loose and spread invasive species. Always clean, drain and dry your boat, motor and trailer when travelling between waterbodies.

Fishing

If you happen to catch a prohibited fish, invertebrate or plant, you must immediately destroy it in a way that ensures it cannot reproduce or grow. Always use baitfish on the permitted species list and dispose of unwanted bait and the contents of bait buckets on land or in the trash. It is illegal to dump the contents of bait buckets into any waters or within 30 m of any waters.

Round goby

Round goby have become widely established in Southern Ontario and Lake Huron and have negative impacts on native fish. It is illegal to use gobies as bait or have live gobies in your possession. Anglers should know how to identify round goby since these aggressive fish are easily caught by hook and line. If you catch a round goby (or any invasive species) it should be destroyed as it cannot be released live into any waters. Report any new sightings.

Goby

Help slow the spread of VHS

Viral hemorrhagic septicemia (VHS) is an infectious disease of fish that has been documented in Ontario. VHS is not a threat to human health. Fish carrying the VHS virus are safe to eat and handle.

To help reduce the spread of VHS, anglers are asked to buy or harvest their bait from the area where it will be used.

More information is available at Viral hemorrhagic septicemia or call the Natural Resources and Information Support Centre at 1-800-667-1940.