°ÄÃÅÓÀÀû fishery regulations: variation orders
Variation orders amend the °ÄÃÅÓÀÀû fishery regulations.
About fishing regulations
°ÄÃÅÓÀÀû is divided into 20 Fisheries Management Zones. °ÄÃÅÓÀÀû fishery regulations apply across the province, but each zone has exceptions to meet its unique needs. Those exceptions are made with variation orders, and reflected in the °ÄÃÅÓÀÀû Fishing Regulations Summary.
The °ÄÃÅÓÀÀû Fishing Regulations Summary lists the current regulations and exceptions in each zone. Check it before you fish.
Changes to fishing regulations
Variations orders are amendments to the °ÄÃÅÓÀÀû fishery regulations.
They protect and sustain °ÄÃÅÓÀÀû fisheries by adjusting:
- fishing seasons
- eligible waterbodies
- species and catch limits
- other exceptions or additions
New variation orders
When it amends variation orders, the ministry notifies the public and posts the latest version.
°ÄÃÅÓÀÀû Fishing Regulations Summary
Every year, the ministry publishes the °ÄÃÅÓÀÀû Fishing Regulations Summary. Anglers use this guide to follow the °ÄÃÅÓÀÀû fishery regulations.
The °ÄÃÅÓÀÀû Fishing Regulations Summary reflects the latest variation orders. Changes from the previous year are flagged with red text.
Current variation orders
Fish sanctuary variation order
Commercial fishing close time variation order
Sport fishing for baitfish variation order
Sport fishing variation orders
Each Fisheries Management Zone (FMZ) has its own sport fishing variation order:
Northwest °ÄÃÅÓÀÀû
Fisheries Management Zone 2 (Far North West – Pickle Lake)
Fisheries Management Zone 4 (Kenora, Red Lake, Dryden, Sioux Lookout, Thunder Bay)
Fisheries Management Zone 5 (Fort Frances, Kenora, Dryden)
Fisheries Management Zone 6 (Thunder Bay, Nipigon, Dryden)
Fisheries Management Zone 7 (Geraldton, Terrace Bay, Manitouwadge, Wawa)
Northeast °ÄÃÅÓÀÀû
Fisheries Management Zone 1 (Far North – Peawanuck, Polar Bear Provincial Park)
Fisheries Management Zone 3 (Far North East – Attawapiskat, Kashechewan, Moosonee, Hearst)
Fisheries Management Zone 7 (Geraldton, Terrace Bay, Manitouwadge, Wawa)
Fisheries Management Zone 8 (Hearst, Chapleau, Cochrane, Timmins, Kirkland Lake)
Fisheries Management Zone 10 (Sault Ste. Marie and Sudbury)
Fisheries Management Zone 11 (North Bay)
Fisheries Management Zone 12 (Ottawa River)
Southern °ÄÃÅÓÀÀû
Fisheries Management Zone 12 (Ottawa River)
Fisheries Management Zone 15 (Parry Sound, Bancroft, Pembroke, Algonquin Park)
Fisheries Management Zone 16 (Southwestern °ÄÃÅÓÀÀû)
Fisheries Management Zone 17 (Peterborough and the Kawartha Lakes)
Fisheries Management Zone 18 (Eastern °ÄÃÅÓÀÀû)
Great Lakes
Fisheries Management Zone 9 (Lake Superior)
Fisheries Management Zone 13 (main basin of Lake Huron)
Fisheries Management Zone 14 (Georgian Bay and the North Channel of Lake Huron)