Fishing

Fishing in Ontario is about being outdoors on the water with great expectations of a nibble at the end of your fishing line metres and metres below the surface of a cool stream or lake. Few Ontario fishing resorts offer such an array of on water opportunities to anglers looking for the “perfect catch”. Calabogie Lake and the Madawaska River are abundant with bass, pickerel, northern pike, perch and muskies. Small inland lakes and ponds, many of which are stocked by the Ministry of Natural Resources, are accessible by walking paths and small vehicles.

So, whether you fly fish, cast or troll, have your frying pan ready to sizzle your fresh catch!

Read the Ontario Regulations

Fishing in Ontario, including fishing Algonquin Park, is regulated by the Ministry of Natural Resources. For more information and online purchase/renewal of your Ontario Fishing licence go to https://www.ontario.ca/page/fishing .

Calabogie Peaks is designated by the Ministry as District #15 in Ontario. Each zone in the province has its own rules and regulations pertaining to seasons, fishing limits, size restrictions, catch and release and more. The 2019 Ontario Fishing Regulations from the Ministry web site indicate that some Brook Trout Additional Fishing Opportunities in Zone 15 also have bait restrictions. Be sure to review these regulations carefully. There are a number of Brook Trout and Lake Trout waterbodies that have species-specific regulations in addition to restrictions related to gear, bait, and fish sanctuaries. These additional restrictions apply to the waterbody, regardless of what species is/are being targeted. See Species Exceptions for more details. The following waterbodies have regulations that are very different from the Zone-wide season and limits and are only referred to in the Waterbody Exceptions: all waterbodies in Algonquin Park, Bonnechere River, Calabogie Lake, Carmichael Lake, Jack Lake, Kushog Lake, Lake Clear and Little Lake Clear, Madawaska River, Mud Lake, Murphy’s Lake (Arabis Lake), Royal Lake, Slipper Lake, South Wildcat Lake, Stocking Lake, Stoney Lake, Trout Lake and Wendigo Lake.

Zone-wide limits can be found here.

A message for veterans or active Canadian Armed Forces members

Starting January 1, 2019, veterans and active members of the Canadian Armed Forces who reside in Ontario are able to enjoy free fishing across the province as a token of recognition for their service. In place of an Outdoors Card and recreational fishing licence, veterans and active members will be required to possess and carry one of the following pieces of identification to legally fish in Ontario:

Canadian Forces Identification Card (NDI 20);

Record of Service Card (NDI 75); or
Canadian Armed Forces Veteran’s Service Card (NDI 75).

In accordance with other deemed licenses, veterans and active members of the Canadian Armed Forces will need to follow the seasons, quotas and limits associated with a sport fishing licence.

For more information on this initiative, please contact the Natural Resources Information and Support Centre at 1-800-387-7011.

Message from the Minister of Natural Resources and Forestry

Recreational fishing is one of the most popular outdoor activities …. for residents of Ontario, as well as for visitors to the province. A four-season pursuit that appeals to both young and old alike, it is an exciting and challenging tradition with a long and storied history. Ontario has been blessed with over a quarter of a million lakes and countless streams and rivers, which means the angling opportunities for outdoor enthusiasts are almost endless. Fishing is a great way to spend time together as families and can help promote a lifelong interest in nature and the outdoors. The ministry is pleased to provide four special opportunities to introduce new anglers and young people to fishing without needing to buy a licence. The Family Fishing Weekend, which coincides with the Family Day long weekend from February 16 to 18, 2019, and the Family Fishing Week, which runs from June 29 to July 7, 2019, are two such opportunities. New for 2019, people will also be able to fish without needing to purchase a licence on the weekends of Mother’s Day, from May 11 to 12, 2019, and Father’s Day, from June 15 to 16, 2019. In addition, participants in the ministry’s Learn to Fish program can fish on the day of their instruction without buying a licence. The annual Recreational Fishing Regulations Summary is one of the helpful tools that Ontario anglers are encouraged to use when fishing in the province. A number of format and design features of the summary have been changed for 2019 to make it more accessible for people with disabilities and the general public. These include the use of a larger font for text, more detailed maps, a new layout and other improvements. Ontario is committed to removing barriers to those with disabilities so they can participate in recreational fishing as well as access goods, services and facilities. Ontario is planning to honour past and present members of the Canadian Armed Forces, who have sacrificed so much for the people of Ontario and Canada. Work is under way to amend fishing regulations so veterans and active Canadian Armed Forces members who reside in Ontario can enjoy free recreational fishing by early 2019 without having to buy a fishing licence. This change is a small token of appreciation for those who gave and continue to give so honourably with their service. Ontario’s new Fish and Wildlife Licensing Service was launched in November 2018 as part of Ontario’s commitment to improved customer service. The new mobile-friendly service is easier to navigate and gives users more flexibility. To find out more, visit ontario.ca/outdoorscard. Fish stocking remains a priority with an average of eight million fish of 12 different species being raised and stocked into more than 1,200 waterbodies each year, including the Great Lakes. More than 500 of these waterbodies have extended open seasons or increased possession limits. Within the summary, these lakes are referred to as Additional Fishing Opportunities and exist in most Fisheries Management Zones throughout the province. To make it easier for anglers to take advantage of these opportunities, the geographic information describing the location of the lakes has been updated. We can all do our part to ensure the province’s recreational fisheries remain healthy and sustainable. Please follow the rules described in this summary, and respect the environment and each other. As we work together, we can help make Ontario a great place to get outdoors and to enjoy all that our bountiful natural resources have to offer.