Commercial fisheries in Ontario

Ontario’s commercial fisheries contribute millions of dollars to the province’s economy every year.

The ministry sets annual quotas and issues annual licences for the commercial harvest of fish, primarily in the Great Lakes.

There are more than 600 active commercial fishing licences in Ontario.

In 2018, those licence holders:

  • caught nearly 11,000 metric tonnes of fish (about 24 million pounds)
  • hauled in a catch with a dockside value of more than $44 million
  • contributed $234 million (Canadian) to Ontario’s economy
  • processed and sold fish to food stores and restaurants in Ontario, the U.S. and around the world

Inspected for safety

Ontario’s commercially harvested fish are a high-quality, valuable food source. Fish caught by the commercial fishing industry is sold at home and in international markets.

Fish destined for international markets is inspected according to rules set by the Government of Canada.

Founded on fishing

Commercial fishing is part of Ontario’s heritage and culture. Many towns, such as Port Dover and Port Stanley on the Canadian shores of Lake Erie, were founded because of commercial fishing activities.

Today, the towns of Kingsville and Wheatley Harbour are home to some of the largest commercial freshwater fish processing centres in Canada.

Commercial fisheries management

The management of commercial fisheries is guided by the Strategic policy for Ontario’s commercial fisheries (2011). It provides:

  • a framework for defining commercial fisheries in Ontario and how they integrate into the management of Ontario’s natural resources
  • a focus for coordinating commercial fishing policies
  • linkages to other natural resource strategic policies, directives, and legislation

Strategic policy for Ontario’s commercial fisheries, 2011