2023 Ontario Fishing Regulations: What You Need to Know

Please note Ontario provincial fishing regulations and licence requirements do not apply when fishing at The Franklin Club. We are a private club, meaning only active members, their families and guests are permitted to fish on club property. We ask all members to follow the club’s rules and guidelines.

The Franklin Club assumes no responsibility or liability for any errors or omissions in the content of this site. The information contained in this site is provided on an “as is” basis with no guarantees of completeness, accuracy, usefulness or timeliness. Contact the Ministry of Natural Resources directly with any specific inquiries or questions about provincial licences and regulations.  

 A new year means new fishing regulations in Ontario. As we approach prime fishing season, we’ve compiled a quick summary of what you need to know about Ontario’s updated 2023 fishing regulations before you cast off on your next adventures into the great outdoors and onto Ontario’s beautiful lakes and ponds.  

But first, let’s go over the basics of what you need to fish legally in Ontario with a quick refresher.

Don’t Forget Your Fishing Licence

Unless you’re a member of a private club like The Franklin Club, the law requires you to obtain and carry a valid outdoors card and fishing licence before heading out on the water.

Ontario currently has two different types of recreational fishing licences, and both are available in either one-day, one-year or three-year durations for Ontario and Canadian residents:

Outdoors Card: Before you can start fishing, you may require a valid Outdoors Card. This card is a plastic identification card issued by the Ministry of Natural Resources and Forestry.  The card is valid for three calendar years, required by those over 18 and under 65 years of age. Once obtained, you can add a fishing licence to your outdoors card.

Sport Fishing Licence: A sport fishing licence is for anglers who want full catch and possession fishing privileges. You’ll want to acquire this licence if you plan to keep what you catch.  Make sure you familiarise yourself with the zone, the time of year, the type of fish and the limits allocated to each species per zone. 

Conservation Fishing Licence: This is the cheaper option of the two licences, but note it has a lower possession limit than the sporting licence allows. This licence best suits the practice of catch and release, so if you plan to have a fun weekend with little to no intention of harvesting your catch, this licence is for you!

In 2023, Ontario will allow for licence-free fishing for Canadian residents on the following days:

• Family Fishing Weekend in February (February 18-20, 2023)
• Mother’s Day Weekend in May (May 13-14, 2023)
• Father’s Day Weekend in June (June 17-18, 2023)
• Family Fishing Week in July (July 1-9, 2023)

If you’re not a licence holder, take advantage of these free fishing days – it’s a great and fun way to spend time with family and friends while enjoying the beauty of the outdoors!

What’s New for 2023

Effective January 1st, 2023, this year’s major regulations updates include changes to additional fishing opportunities for Brook trout and Rainbow trout, a new zone-wide season for Brown trout in Fishing Management Zone (FMZ) 5, along with zone-wide size restrictions for Lake trout and Splake in FMZ 12.

Now, let’s get into the details…

FMZs 6,7 and 10 Additional Fishing Opportunities for Brook and Rainbow Trout

FMZ 6 Update – Brook Trout & Rainbow Trout

Fishing Management Zone 6 is located in northwest Ontario and falls under the Northwest Region. It encompasses the following cities: Thunder Bay, Nipigon, Red Rock, Upsala, Dorion and Kakabeka Falls. It also includes the islands in Nipigon Bay, as well as St.Ignace and Simpson Islands in Lake Superior. 

The 2023 changes to this zone affect areas of fishing opportunities for both Brook Trout and Rainbow trout. 

The fishing season for Brook Trout is open all year long. Catch-and-keep limits are 5 for Sport licence holders and 2 for Conservation licence holders. There is zero size limit on the fish in this area. In 2023, the following locations were added for Brook trout fishing in FMZ 6:

• Goodmorning Lakes North (48°47’11” N., 88°42’03” W.) – Dorion Township
• Goodmorning Lakes South (48°46’41” N., 88°41’47” W.) – Dorion Township
• Nunya Lake (49°28’59” N., 89°35’27” W.)

As for Rainbow trout, catch-and-keep limits are 5 for Sport licence holders and 2 for Conservation licence holders. This year, the following locations in FMZ 6 are open for Rainbow trout fishing:

• Danielle Lake (49°29’16” N., 89°34’38” W.)
• Dennis Lake (49°28’55” N., 89°35’56” W.)
• Sandybeach Lake (48°46’42” N., 88°46’09” W.) – Dorion Township
• Ursus Lake (48°35’35” N., 89°01’11” W.) – MacGregor Township 

FMZ 7 Update – Rainbow Trout

Fishing Management Zone 7 includes the cities of Nipigon, Geraldton, Manitouwadge, and Wawa. The Hearst and Nakina communities and Michipicotan island are also considered part of this zone. 

The changes to this zone affect areas of fishing opportunities for Rainbow trout. The catch-and-keep limits are 5 for Sport licence holders and 2 for Conservation licence holders. In 2023, the following locations in FMZ 7 are available for Rainbow trout fishing:

• Centennial Lake (47°54’51” N., 84°42’51” W.) – Naveau Township
• Dragline Lake (48°38’04” N., 85°24’21” W.) – Cecile Township
• North Twin Lake (48°38’09” N., 85°23’53” W.) – Cecile Township

FMZ 10 Update – Rainbow Trout

Fishing Management Zone 10 is located north of Lake Huron and Georgian Bay and is part of the Northeast Region. This zone includes the cities of Sudbury, Sault St. Marie, Espanola and Blind River. 

Please Note: All lakes on Manitoulin Island fall within this zone, except for South Bay and Lake Wolsey. To ensure you are aware of regulatory exemptions of the island, please refer to this section on waterbody exceptions. 

The changes to this zone affect areas of fishing opportunities for Rainbow trout. Catch-and-keep limits are 5 for Sport licence holders and 2 for Conservation licence holders. In 2023, the following location in FMZ 10 is permitted for Rainbow trout fishing:

Bridget Lake (47°53’43”N., 84°51’26”W.) – Rabazo Township

FMZ 5 Zone-Wide Season for Brown Trout

Fishing Management Zone 5 is part of the Northwest Region and includes the cities of Fort Frances, Kenora, Dryden, Atikoden and Ignace. Multiple smaller communities, including 23 First Nations communities, are also included under this zone.

In 2023, FMZ 5’s Brown Trout fishing season has been extended and will be open all year. The catch-and-keep limit has also been updated;  the Sport licence limit is 5, and the Conservation licence limit is set to 2.

FMZ 12 Zone-Wide Size Restriction for Lake Trout and Splake 

Fishing Management Zone 12 covers the Ontario portions of Lake Temiskaming and the Ottawa River. Cities include Ottawa, Pembroke, Deep River, and Hawkesbury, along with the Madawaska and Mississippi Rivers upstream to the first dam.

Please Note: It’s important to remember that the regulations differ depending on if you are fishing in Ontario or Quebec. 

In 2023, FMZ 12’s Lake trout and Splake fishing season continues to run from the Friday before the fourth Saturday in April until September 30th. 

However, the catch-and-keep limit has been updated for 2023, with the Sport licence set to 2 and the Conservation licence at 1. The catch must be over 114cm (45 inches) in length. 

For a complete rundown of all 2023 changes and further details on the above updates, check out the entire 2023 Fishing Ontario Recreational Fishing Regulations Summary here.