Changes to recreational fishing rules in FMZ 17

From July 24 to August 22, 2024, we consulted on proposed changes to recreational fishing rules on the lower Ganaraska River in the Town of Port Hope.

Summary of changes

The following changes took effect Sunday, September 1, 2024.

New fish sanctuary (all species):

  • Ganaraska River: from the south side of the Jocelyn Street Bridge (43°58′1.77″N., 78°17′43.77″W.) to the southerly limit of the C.N.R. right-of-way (43°56′48.51″N., 78°17′31.93″W.)
  • no fishing from September 1 to October 14

New expanded extended fall season (Atlantic salmon, brown trout, Pacific salmon and rainbow trout):

  • Ganaraska River: from the south side of the Jocelyn Street Bridge (43°58′1.77″N., 78°17′43.77″W.) to the southerly limit of the C.N.R. right-of-way (43°56′48.51″N., 78°17′31.93″W.)
  • open from:
    • the fourth Saturday in April to August 31
    • October 15 to December 31

These changes will:

  • help protect vulnerable migrating Chinook salmon during peak migration
  • provide additional angling opportunities for Atlantic salmon, brown trout, Pacific salmon and rainbow trout in the fall season

Read the Ontario Fishing Regulations Summary to learn more about the rules for fishing in the Ganaraska River.

Changes to additional fishing opportunities in FMZ 6 

Lake trout

Additional fishing opportunities

Season: open all year       
Limits: S–2 and C–1; no size limit

  • Pass Lake (48°33'45" N., 88°44'05" W.) — Sibley Township

Rainbow trout

Additional fishing opportunities

Season: open all year       
Limits: S–5 and C–2

  • D’Arcy Lake (48°35'49"N.,  88°39'38"W.) — Mctavish Township
  • Hades Lake (48°44'10"N.,  88°48'58"W.) — Mctavish Township
  • Wednesday Lake (48°44'13"N., , 89°05'47"W.)
  • Uncle Al's Lake (48°26'32"N.,  89°50'02"W.)

Changes to extend dip netting season for Cisco and Lake Whitefish in FMZ 11

Changes to extend the dip netting season for Cisco (Lake Herring) and Lake Whitefish apply to all waters where angling is permitted in Zone 11.

Aurora trout fishing opportunities for 2025

Fisheries Management Zone 7

  • Borealis Lake (49°00'43"N., 86°44'08"W.)

Fisheries Management Zone 8

  • Lake #57 (48°17'N., 80°40' W.) — Township of Timmins
  • Pack Can Lake (48° 27’N., 79° 59’W.)  — Garrison Township

Changes to regulations related to possession, use and transport of bait

We made changes to rules related to the possession, use and transport of bait (baitfish or leeches) on January 1, 2024. Read the rules at Sustainable bait management in Ontario.

Potential revisions to release of fish rules for recreational fishing

Proposed changes

In February 2023, we consulted on proposed changes to the rules around the immediate release of fish. The proposed changes would:

  • allow anglers to delay the release of a fish caught during the open season for that species, only long enough to photograph, measure and weigh, if the fish is of a restricted size or over daily catch and possession limits
  • require the immediate release of fish that are out of season, are species at risk or are otherwise prohibited under the existing recreational fishing rules

Timeline

This type of change to Ontario’s recreational fishing regulations requires approval of both:

  • the Ministry of Natural Resources
  • Fisheries and Oceans Canada

We continue to work to implement any changes related to this proposal. Check this page for any future updates.