Fishing Regs

The Ontario MNR will no longer be printing unlimited copies of the Fishing Regulation Guide so you will have to ensure you are familiar with the regs through their online options. 

The entire fishing regulation summary book is available to be downloaded through the following page: Ontario Fishing Regulations Home Page

Lake of the Woods is designated as a “border water” so be sure to find the correct regulations to apply. Also, consult the “exceptions” for Lake of the Woods as well get so you have the correct information when using the regulation book as reference. The rest of the area lakes surrounding Lake of the Woods will be covered by Zone 5 regulations. Exceptions for each lake may be noted so consulting the exceptions is necessary.

The following information can be used for summarization purposes with respect to Lake of the Woods. Consult the official regulations for all other lakes you may fish.

Do I need a Fishing License?

You will need a fishing license to fish in Ontario unless you meet the following below conditions:

Canadian & Ontario resident youth under 18 years of age as well as Canadian & Ontario resident anglers 65 years of age and over may fish in Ontario without purchasing a fishing license and keep a limit according to current regulations. Proof of residency and age is required. There may also be periods of time during the season where Canadian/Ontario residents can fish license free during “Family Fishing” dates. Please consult the regulation book for more information.

Non-Canadian resident anglers under 18 years of age may fish without a license if accompanied by a licensed adult angler.  Any fish kept by a youth angler without a license of their own will count toward the adult anglers daily and possession limits.  Non-Canadian resident anglers under 18 years of age may purchase a fishing license in order to keep a daily and possession limit of fish under the above regulations.

Non-Canadian Resident Sport Fishing License

Walleye: 2 per day, 4 total possession
Northern: 4 per day, 4 total possession
Bass:
January 1st – June 30th — Catch and Release Only  
After July 1st — 4 per day, 4 total possession by regulation
Crappie: 10 per day, 10 total possession
Perch: 15 per day, 15 total possession
Muskie: 54” MINIMUM
Lake Trout:
Daily Limit: 1 with no size restrictions
Possession Limit: 2 with only 1 greater than 22″ from September 1st-30th.

Limits for Non-Canadian Resident CONSERVATION Licenses

Walleye: 2 per day, 2 total possession
Northern: 2 per day, 2 total possession
Bass:
January 1st – June 30th — Catch and Release Only  
After July 1st — 2 per day, 2 total possession by regulation
Crappie: 5 per day, 5 total possession
Perch: 10 per day, 10 total possession
Muskie: Catch and Release only
Lake Trout:
Daily Limit: 1 with no size restrictions
Possession Limit: 1 with no size restrictions

Notes on Muskies:

• Muskie season CLOSED until the third Saturday in June each year
• This means you cannot legally attempt to catch a muskie while “northern fishing” during the closed season.
• Please limit out of water handling of all muskies.

Other Size Restrictions:
Walleye: 1 fish per license over 18.1” by regulation
Northern: None over 29.5″

The DAILY LIMIT is the number of fish you can keep in one day, including those consumed at shore lunch and other meals. 

The POSSESSION LIMIT includes the total number of fish in the boat as part of your daily limit, any fish in the cabin, and any fish in the fish house freezer. 

Canadian & Ontario Resident Sport Fishing License

Walleye: 4 per day, 4 total possession
Northern: 4 per day, 4 total possession
Bass:
January 1st – June 30th — Catch and Release Only  
After July 1st — 4 per day, 4 total possession by regulation
Crappie: 10 per day, 10 total possession
Perch: 15 per day, 15 total possession
Muskie: 54” MINIMUM
Lake Trout:
Daily Limit: 1 with no size restrictions
Possession Limit: 2 with only 1 greater than 22″ from September 1st-30th.

Canadian & Ontario Resident Conservation Fishing License

Walleye: 2 per day, 2 total possession
Northern: 2 per day, 2 total possession
Bass:
January 1st – June 30th — Catch and Release Only  
After July 1st — 2 per day, 2 total possession by regulation
Crappie: 5 per day, 5 total possession
Perch: 10 per day, 10 total possession
Muskie: Catch and Release only
Lake Trout:
Daily Limit: 1 with no size restrictions
Possession Limit: 1 with no size restrictions

All size restrictions apply the same as non-resident licenses.

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