SF – 2023/5

Under the Ontario Fishery Regulations, 2007

Pursuant to the authority vested in me in subsection 13(1) of the Ontario Fishery Regulations, 2007, made under the Fisheries Act, R.S.C., 1985, c. F-14, I hereby authorize and declare the following:

  1. That Sport Fishing Variation Order for Fisheries Management Zone 5 (SF-2021/5) signed by Minister Yakabuski on November 23, 2020 is revoked and replaced by this Sport Fishing Variation Order for Fisheries Management Zone 5 (SF-2023/5).
  2. That the angling close times as set out in Schedule 2 to the Ontario Fishery Regulations, 2007 and the angling quotas and size limits as set out in Part 1 of Schedule 3 to the said Regulations for Fisheries Management Zone 5 are hereby varied as set out in Schedules A and B to this Sport Fishing Variation Order.
  3. That the non-resident daily catch and retain quotas and size limits as set out in Part 4 of Schedule 3 to the Ontario Fishery Regulations, 2007 are hereby varied as set out in Schedule C to this Sport Fishing Variation Order.
  4. That the close times for dip netting Lake Whitefish and Lake Herring as set out in Part 1 of Schedule 6 to the said Regulations for Fisheries Management Zone 5 are hereby varied to January 1 to September 30 and December 16 to December 31.
  5. That if there is a conflict between this Sport Fishing Variation Order and a close time for a fish sanctuary, the close time for the fish sanctuary prevails.
  6. That this Sport Fishing Variation Order comes into effect January 1, 2023.

Dated at Toronto this 1st day of November 2022.

Graydon Smith
Minister of Natural Resources and Forestry

Schedule A – Zone-wide close times, quotas and size limits for Fisheries Management Zone 5

Subject to Schedules B and C of this Variation Order the following Angling close times, fishing quotas and size limits (measured in total length) apply to all waters in Fisheries Management Zone 5.
Species or combination of species Close time Sport fishing licence quota and size limit Conservation fishing licence quota and size limit
Atlantic salmon January 1 to December 31 N/A N/A
Black & white crappie No close time 10, any size 5, any size
Brook trout No close time 5, any size 2, any size
Brown trout No close time 5, any size 2, any size
Channel catfish January 1 to December 31 N/A N/A
Lake sturgeon January 1 to December 31 N/A N/A
Lake trout October 1 to December 31 2, not more than 1 greater than 56 cm from September1 to September 30 1, any size
Lake whitefish No close time 12, any size 6, any size
Largemouth & smallmouth bass No close time 4, must be less than 35 cm from January 1 to June 30, no size limit from July 1 to December 31 2, must be less than 35 cm from January 1 to June 30, no size limit from July 1 to December 31
Muskellunge January 1 to the Friday before the 3rd Saturday in June and December 16 to December 31 1, must be greater than 102 cm 0
Northern pike No close time 4, none greater than 75 cm 2, none greater than 75 cm
Pacific salmon January 1 to December 31 N/A N/A
Rainbow trout No close time 5, any size 2, any size
Splake No close time 5, any size 2, any size
Sunfish No close time 50, any size 25, any size
Walleye & sauger April 15 to the Friday before the 3rd Saturday in May 4, not more than 1 greater than 46 cm 2, not more than 1 greater than 46 cm
Yellow perch No close time 50, any size 25, any size
Any other species No close time No limit No limit

Schedule B – Exceptions to the Zone-wide close times, quotas and size limits for Fisheries Management Zone 5

Despite Schedule A of this Variation Order the Angling close times, fishing quotas and size limits (measured in total length) set out in this Schedule apply in the following waters. For greater clarity, where this schedule indicates "no change", the Zone-wide requirement in Schedule A applies.
Waters Species or combination of species Close time Sport fishing licence quota and size limit Conservation fishing licence quota and size limit
Burditt Lake (48°57'13"N., 93°46'43"W.) - Senn Township Muskellunge No change 1, must be greater than 122 cm 0
Despair Lake (48°52'31"N., 93°39'34"W.) Muskellunge No change 1, must be greater than 122 cm 0
Dinorwic Lake (49°37'40"N., 92°33'25"W.) and adjoining water bodies (Minnehaha Lake (49°31'27"N., 92°38'45"W.), Rock Lake (49°32'37"N., 92°35'51"W.), Turtlepond Lake (49°32'43"N., 92°36'46"W.)) Black and white crappie No change 15 10
Dinorwic Lake (49°37'40"N., 92°33'25"W.) and adjoining water bodies (Minnehaha Lake (49°31'27"N., 92°38'45"W.), Rock Lake (49°32'37"N., 92°35'51"W.), Turtlepond Lake (49°32'43"N., 92°36'46"W.)) Largemouth and smallmouth bass No change 2, from January 1 - June 30 & December 1 - December 31; 4 from July 1 - November 30 Size: must be less than 35cm from January 1 - June 30 & December 1 - December 31 1 from January 1 - June 30 & December 1 - December 31; 2 from July 1 - November 30 Size: must be less than 35cm from January 1 - June 30 & December 1 - December 31
Dinorwic Lake (49°37'40"N., 92°33'25"W.) and adjoining water bodies (Minnehaha Lake (49°31'27"N., 92°38'45"W.), Rock Lake (49°32'37"N., 92°35'51"W.), Turtlepond Lake (49°32'43"N., 92°36'46"W.)) Muskellunge No change 1, must be greater than 137 cm 0
Dinorwic Lake (49°37'40"N., 92°33'25"W.) and adjoining water bodies (Minnehaha Lake (49°31'27"N., 92°38'45"W.), Rock Lake (49°32'37"N., 92°35'51"W.),Turtlepond Lake (49°32'43"N., 92°36'46"W.)) Walleye No change 4, none between 46-58 cm, not more than 1 greater than 58 cm 2, none between 46-58 cm, not more than 1 greater than 58 cm
Dryberry Lake - including Northwest Bay, Point Bay and Point Lake - (49°30'N., 93°50'W.) Muskellunge No change 1, must be greater than 137 cm 0
Dryberry Lake - including Northwest Bay, Point Bay and Point Lake - (49°30'N., 93°50'W.) Lake trout No change 2, not more than 1 greater than 65 cm 1, any size
Eagle Lake (49°42'N., 93°13'W.) Lake trout No change 2, not more than 1 greater than 65 cm 1, any size
Eagle Lake (49°42’N., 93°13’W.) Largemouth and smallmouth bass No change 2 from January 1- June 30 & December 1 - December 31; 4 from July 1 - November 30 Size: must be less than 35cm from January 1 - June 30 & December 1 - December 31 1 from January 1 - June 30 & December 1 - December 31; 2 from July 1 - November 30 Size: must be less than 35cm from January 1 - June 30 & December 1 - December 31
Eagle Lake (49°42'N., 93°13'W.) Muskellunge No change 1, must be greater than 137 cm 0
Eagle Lake (49°42'N., 93°13'W.) Northern pike No change 4, none between 70-90 cm, not more than 1 greater than 90 cm 2, none between 70­ 90 cm, not more than 1 greater than 90 cm
Eagle Lake (49°42'N., 93°13'W.) Walleye No change 4, none between 46-58 cm, not more than 1 greater than 58 cm 2, none between 46-58 cm, not more than 1 greater than 58 cm
Esox Lake (49°06'02"N., 93°15'54"W.) Muskellunge No change 1, must be greater than 122 cm 0
Experimental Lakes Area - Pine Road Area - Dryden District - Lakes # 111, 189, 191, 221, 222, 223, 224, 239, 260, 305, 373, 375, 377, 378, 382, 442, 622, 623, 626 and 658 All species January 1 to December 31 N/A N/A
Feather Lake (Quill Lake) (49°00’23”N., 93°42’27”W.) - Pipestone Chain Muskellunge No change 1, must be greater than 122 cm 0
Footprint Lake (48°54'01"N., 93°36'30"W.) Muskellunge No change 1, must be greater than 122 cm 0
Kakagi Lake (Crow Lake) (49°12'60"N., 93°52'00"W.) - Kenora District Largemouth and smallmouth bass No change 0, from January 1 - June 30; 4 from July 1 - December 31 0, from January 1 - June 30; 2 from July 1 - December 31
Kakagi Lake (Crow Lake) (49°12'60"N., 93°52'00"W.) - Kenora District Muskellunge No change 1, must be greater than 137 cm 0
Lake of the Woods - all portions of Lake of the Woods including waters of the Western Peninsula, Aulneau Peninsula and an unnamed lake at 49°36'N., 94°51'W. and excluding waters of Clearwater Bay, Deception Bay, Woodchuck Bay, Kendal Inlet, Echo Bay, Cul de Sac Lake and Whitefish Bay including Regina, Snake, Boot, Ghost, Brule, Devils, Atikaminke, Camp, Cloverleaf, Log, Reedy, Willow and Sammons Bays, and Knickerbocker, Louis, Cross and Alfred Inlets Lake trout No change 0 0
Lake of the Woods - including waters of the Western Peninsula, Aulneau Peninsula and an unnamed lake at 49°36'N., 94°51'W and the Rainy River from the dam in Fort Frances to Wheeler’s Point at Lake of the Woods Largemouth and smallmouth bass No change 0, from January 1 - June 30; 4 from July 1 - December 31 0, from January 1 - June 30; 2 from July 1 - December 31
Lake of the Woods - including waters of the Western Peninsula, Aulneau Peninsula and an unnamed lake at 49°36'N., 94°51'W and the Rainy River from the dam in Fort Frances to Wheeler’s Point at Lake of the Woods Yellow perch No change 15 10
Lake of the Woods - including waters of the Western Peninsula, Aulneau Peninsula and an unnamed lake at 49°36'N., 94°51'W and the Rainy River from the dam in Fort Frances to Wheeler’s Point at Lake of the Woods Muskellunge No change 1, must be greater than 137 cm 0
Lake of the Woods - including waters of the Western Peninsula, Aulneau Peninsula and an unnamed lake at 49°36'N., 94°51'W and the Rainy River from the dam in Fort Frances to Wheeler’s Point at Lake of the Woods Lake whitefish No change 4 2
Lake of the Woods - waters of Clearwater Bay, Echo Bay (49°42'N., 94°48'W.) and Cul de Sac Lake (49°38'N., 94°50'W.), Clearwater Bay (49°42'N., 94°45'W.), Deception Bay (49°42'N., 94°48'W.), Woodchuck Bay (49°41'N., 94°2'W.) and Kendal Inlet (49°44'N., 94°52'W.) Lake trout January 1 to the Friday before the 3rd Saturday in May and October 1 to December 31 0, except for tag holders 0, except for tag holders
Lake of the Woods - Whitefish Bay - including Regina, Snake, Boot, Ghost, Brule, Devils, Atikaminke, Camp, Cloverleaf, Log, Reedy, Clipper, Willow and Sammons Bays and Knickerbocker, Louis, Cross and Alfred Inlets Lake trout No change 2, not more than 1 greater than 65 cm 1, any size.
Lakes # 20 (49°07'46"N., 92°08'19"W.), 26 (49°07'23"N., 92°08'40"W.), 39 (49°05'42"N., 92°09'56"W.), 42 (49°05'05"N., 92°09'36"W.) - Research Lakes - Centre for Northern Forest Ecosystem Research Lake trout January 1 to December 31 N/A N/A
Lower Manitou Lake (49°15'15"N., 92°59'19"W.) Muskellunge No change 1, must be greater than 122 cm 0
Manomin Lake (48°52'00"N., 93°43'13"W.) - Fleming Township Muskellunge No change 1, must be greater than 122 cm 0
Meggisi Lake (49°17'04"N., 92°34'55"W.) Muskellunge No change 1, must be greater than 122 cm 0
Pipestone Lake - Pipestone Chain (49°04'60"N., 93°33'00"W.) Muskellunge No change 1, must be greater than 122 cm 0
Rainy River - from dam in Fort Frances downstream to Wheeler’s Point at Lake of the Woods Walleye No change 2, must be less than 46 cm from March 1 - April 14 2, must be less than 46 cm from March 1 - April 14
Rainy River - from Rainy Lake downstream to the Fort Frances dam. Rainy Lake (48°43'20"N., 93°15'41"W.), Seine River System - from Kettle Point of Rainy Lake upstream to Sturgeon Falls Dam (Crilly Dam), situated immediately north of Highway 11, including Little Grassy, Grassy, Shoal, Wild Potato and Partridge Crop lakes Muskellunge No change 1, must be greater than 122 cm 0
Rainy River - from Rainy Lake downstream to the Fort Frances dam. Rainy Lake (48°43'20"N., 93°15'41"W.), Seine River System - from Kettle Point of Rainy Lake upstream to Sturgeon Falls Dam (Crilly Dam), situated immediately north of Highway 11, including Little Grassy, Grassy, Shoal, Wild Potato and Partridge Crop lakes Northern pike No change 4 None between 70-90 cm, not more than 1 greater than 90 cm 2 None between 70­ 90 cm, not more than 1 greater than 90 cm
Rainy River - from Rainy Lake downstream to the Fort Frances dam. Rainy Lake (48°43'20"N., 93°15'41"W.), Seine River System - from Kettle Point of Rainy Lake upstream to Sturgeon Falls Dam (Crilly Dam), situated immediately north of Highway 11, including Little Grassy, Grassy, Shoal, Wild Potato and Partridge Crop lakes Smallmouth and largemouth bass No change

2 from January 1 - June 30 December 1 - December 31;

4 from July 1 - November 30

Size: must be less than 35 cm from January 1 - June 30 December 1 - December 31

1 from January 1 - June 30 December 1 - December 31;

2 from July 1 - November 30

Size: must be less than 35 cm from January 1 - June 30 December 1 - December 31

Rainy River - from Rainy Lake downstream to the Fort Frances dam. Rainy Lake (48°43'20"N., 93°15'41"W.), Seine River System - from Kettle Point of Rainy Lake upstream to Sturgeon Falls Dam (Crilly Dam), situated immediately north of Highway 11, including Little Grassy, Grassy, Shoal, Wild Potato and Partridge Crop lakes Walleye No change 4, must be between 35-45 cm or greater than 70 cm and not more than 1 greater than 70 cm 2, must be between 35­ 45 cm or greater than 70 cm and not more than 1 greater than 70 cm
Rowan Lake (49°19'00"N., 93°33'00"W.) Muskellunge No change 1, must be greater than 137 cm 0
Schistose Lake (49°09'17"N., 93°36'18"W.) Muskellunge No change 1, must be greater than 122 cm 0
Seahorse Lake (49°06'03"N., 93°18'03"W.) Lake trout January 1 to December 31 N/A N/A
Shoal Lake above Ash Rapids - Kenora District Lake whitefish No change 4 2
Shoal Lake above Ash Rapids - Kenora District Largemouth and smallmouth bass No change 0, from January 1 - June 30; 4 from July 1 - December 31 0, from January 1 - June 30; 2 from July 1 - December 31
Shoal Lake above Ash Rapids - Kenora District Muskellunge No change 1, must be greater than 137 cm 0
Shoal Lake above Ash Rapids - Kenora District Walleye January 1 to December 31 N/A N/A
Shoal Lake above Ash Rapids - Kenora District Yellow perch No change 15 10
Slender Lake (49°01'60"N., 93°41'56"W.) Muskellunge No change 1, must be greater than 122 cm 0
Wabigoon Lake (49°44'09"N., 92°43'52"W.) and adjoining waterbodies (Mile Lake (49°40'53"N., 92°46'43"W.), Trap Lake (49°39'34"N., 92°47'19"W.), Butler Lake (49°40'24"N., 92°39'02"W.), Olsen Lake (49°39'06"N., 92°37'47"W.), Larson Lake (49°38'23"N., 92°37'06"W.), Paulson Lake (49°37'26"N., 92°36'54"W.)) Muskellunge No change 1, must be greater than 137 cm 0
Wabigoon Lake (49°44'09"N., 92°43'52"W.) and adjoining waterbodies (Mile Lake (49°40'53"N., 92°46'43"W.), Trap Lake (49°39'34"N., 92°47'19"W.), Butler Lake (49°40'24"N., 92°39'02"W.), Olsen Lake (49°39'06"N., 92°37'47"W.), Larson Lake (49°38'23"N., 92°37'06"W.), Paulson Lake (49°37'26"N., 92°36'54"W.)) Black and white crappie No change 15 10
Wabigoon Lake (49°44'09"N., 92°43'52"W.) and adjoining waterbodies (Mile Lake (49°40'53"N., 92°46'43"W.), Trap Lake (49°39'34"N., 92°47'19"W.), Butler Lake (49°40'24"N., 92°39'02"W.), Olsen Lake (49°39'06"N., 92°37'47"W.), Larson Lake (49°38'23"N., 92°37'06"W.), Paulson Lake (49°37'26"N., 92°36'54"W.)) Largemouth and smallmouth bass No Change 2, from January 1 - June 30 & December 1 - December 31; 4, from July 1 - November 30 Size: must be less than 35cm from January 1 - June 30 & December 1 - December 31 1, from January 1 - June 30 & December 1 - December 31; 2, from July 1 - November 30 Size: must be less than 35cm from January 1 - June 30 & December 1 - December 31
Wabigoon Lake (49°44'09"N., 92°43'52"W.) and adjoining waterbodies (Mile Lake (49°40'53"N., 92°46'43"W.), Trap Lake (49°39'34"N., 92°47'19"W.), Butler Lake (49°40'24"N., 92°39'02"W.), Olsen Lake (49°39'06"N., 92°37'47"W.), Larson Lake (49°38'23"N., 92°37'06"W.), Paulson Lake (49°37'26"N., 92°36'54"W.))Wabigoon Lake (49°44'N., 86°23'W.) and adjoining waterbodies (Mile Lake (49°40'N., 92°46'W.), Trap Lake (49°39'N., 92°47'W.), Butler Lake (49°41'N., 92°40'W.), Olsen Lake (49°40'N., 92°37'W.), Larson Lake (49°38'N., 92°37'W.), Paulson Lake (49°37'N., 92°37'W Walleye No change 4, none between 46-58 cm, not more than 1 greater than 58 cm 2, none between 46-58 cm, not more than 1 greater than 58 cm
Weld Lake (49°01'39"N., 93°40'17"W.) Muskellunge No change 1, must be greater than 122 cm 0
Winnipeg River System - from outflow of Lake of the Woods to the Manitoba Border including the waters of: Big Sand Lake (50°08'N., 94°38'W.), Eaglenest Lake (50°12'43"N., 95°08'40"W.), English River, from the Winnipeg and English Rivers upstream to the Caribou Falls dam, Gun Lake (49°58'N., 94°39'W.), Hidden Lake (50°04'52"N., 94°35'48"W.), Little Sand Lake (50°03'N., 94°42'W.), Lost Lake (50°01'N., 94°39'W.), MacFarlane River to Ena Lake Dam, Middle Lake (49°46'N., 94°37'W.), Muriel Lake (49°49'N., 94°41'W.), Pistol Lake (50°00'N., 94°43'W.), Roughrock Lake (50°06'N., 94°46'W.), Swan Lake (50°03'46"N, 94°54'30"W.) and Tetu Lake (50°10'58"N., 95°02'10"W.) Lake whitefish No change 4 2
Winnipeg River System - from outflow of Lake of the Woods to the Manitoba Border including the waters of: Big Sand Lake (50°08'N., 94°38'W.), Eaglenest Lake (50°12'43"N., 95°08'40"W.), English River, from the Winnipeg and English Rivers upstream to the Caribou Falls dam, Gun Lake (49°58'N., 94°39'W.), Hidden Lake (50°04'52"N., 94°35'48"W.), Little Sand Lake (50°03'N., 94°42'W.), Lost Lake (50°01'N., 94°39'W.), MacFarlane River to Ena Lake Dam, Middle Lake (49°46'N., 94°37'W.), Muriel Lake (49°49'N., 94°41'W.), Pistol Lake (50°00'N., 94°43'W.), Roughrock Lake (50°06'N., 94°46'W.), Swan Lake (50°03'46"N, 94°54'30"W.) and Tetu Lake (50°10'58"N., 95°02'10"W.) Largemouth and smallmouth bass No change 0, from January 1 - June 30; 4 from July 1 - December 31 0, from January 1 - June 30; 2 from July 1 - December 31
Winnipeg River System - from outflow of Lake of the Woods to the Manitoba Border including the waters of: Big Sand Lake (50°08'N., 94°38'W.), Eaglenest Lake (50°12'43"N., 95°08'40"W.), English River, from the Winnipeg and English Rivers upstream to the Caribou Falls dam, Gun Lake (49°58'N., 94°39'W.), Hidden Lake (50°04'52"N., 94°35'48"W.), Little Sand Lake (50°03'N., 94°42'W.), Lost Lake (50°01'N., 94°39'W.), MacFarlane River to Ena Lake Dam, Middle Lake (49°46'N., 94°37'W.), Muriel Lake (49°49'N., 94°41'W.), Pistol Lake (50°00'N., 94°43'W.), Roughrock Lake (50°06'N., 94°46'W.), Swan Lake (50°03'46"N, 94°54'30"W.) and Tetu Lake (50°10'58"N., 95°02'10"W.) Muskellunge No change 1, must be greater than 137 cm 0
Winnipeg River System - from outflow of Lake of the Woods to the Manitoba Border including the waters of: Big Sand Lake (50°08'N., 94°38'W.), Eaglenest Lake (50°12'43"N., 95°08'40"W.), English River, from the Winnipeg and English Rivers upstream to the Caribou Falls dam, Gun Lake (49°58'N., 94°39'W.), Hidden Lake (50°04'52"N., 94°35'48"W.), Little Sand Lake (50°03'N., 94°42'W.), Lost Lake (50°01'N., 94°39'W.), MacFarlane River to Ena Lake Dam, Middle Lake (49°46'N., 94°37'W.), Muriel Lake (49°49'N., 94°41'W.), Pistol Lake (50°00'N., 94°43'W.), Roughrock Lake (50°06'N., 94°46'W.), Swan Lake (50°03'46"N, 94°54'30"W.) and Tetu Lake (50°10'58"N., 95°02'10"W.) Walleye and sauger March 15 to the Friday before the 3rd Saturday in May 4, walleye must be between 35-45 cm and only one 1 sauger greater than 45 cm 2, walleye must be between 35­ 45 cm and only one 1 sauger greater than 45 cm
Winnipeg River System - from outflow of Lake of the Woods to the Manitoba Border including the waters of: Big Sand Lake (50°08'N., 94°38'W.), Eaglenest Lake (50°12'43"N., 95°08'40"W.), English River, from the Winnipeg and English Rivers upstream to the Caribou Falls dam, Gun Lake (49°58'N., 94°39'W.), Hidden Lake (50°04'52"N., 94°35'48"W.), Little Sand Lake (50°03'N., 94°42'W.), Lost Lake (50°01'N., 94°39'W.), MacFarlane River to Ena Lake Dam, Middle Lake (49°46'N., 94°37'W.), Muriel Lake (49°49'N., 94°41'W.), Pistol Lake (50°00'N., 94°43'W.), Roughrock Lake (50°06'N., 94°46'W.), Swan Lake (50°03'46"N, 94°54'30"W.) and Tetu Lake (50°10'58"N., 95°02'10"W.) Yellow perch No change 15 10

Schedule C – Non- resident daily catch and retain quotas and size limits for Fisheries Management Zone 5

The Daily catch and retain quotas and size limits (measured in total length) set out in this Schedule apply in the following waters for non-residents
Waters Species or combination of species Non-resident Sport fishing licence quota and size limit Non-resident conservation fishing licence quota and size limit
The waters of Rainy Lake (48°43'20"N., 93°15'41"W.) and the Seine River system including Little Grassy lake, Grassy Lake, Shoal Lake, Wild Potato Lake and Partridge Crop Lake lying downstream from the Crilly Dam which is situated immediately north of Highway 11 and the Rainy River upstream from the Fort Frances Dam to Rainy Lake Walleye and sauger 1 walleye or sauger, of which walleye must be between 35-45 cm or greater than 70 cm in length and sauger may be any size 1 walleye or sauger, of which walleye must be between 35-45 cm or greater than 70 cm in length and sauger may be any size