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)