Catch and Possession Limits
More Information
More of Ontario's Fishing Regulations
Important Information for Sturgeon Anglers (http://www.mnr.gov.on.ca/en/Business/LetsFish/2ColumnSubPage/247339.html)
Carry Your Licence with You (http://www.mnr.gov.on.ca/en/Business/LetsFish/2ColumnSubPage/STEL02_165338.html)
Federal and Provincial Laws (http://www.mnr.gov.on.ca/en/Business/LetsFish/2ColumnSubPage/STEL02_165339.html)
Fisheries Management Zone Maps (http://www.mnr.gov.on.ca/en/Business/LetsFish/2ColumnSubPage/198481.html)
Regulation Maps for Great Lakes Tributaries (http://www.mnr.gov.on.ca/en/Business/LetsFish/2ColumnSubPage/198482.html)
Angling Terms (http://www.mnr.gov.on.ca/en/Business/LetsFish/2ColumnSubPage/198480.html)
Open Seasons (http://www.mnr.gov.on.ca/en/Business/LetsFish/2ColumnSubPage/198678.html)
Fish Sanctuaries (http://www.mnr.gov.on.ca/en/Business/LetsFish/2ColumnSubPage/STEL02_165341.html)
Catch and Possession Limits (http://www.mnr.gov.on.ca/en/Business/LetsFish/2ColumnSubPage/199168.html)<A href="http://www.mnr.gov.on.ca/en/Business/LetsFish/2ColumnSubPage/STEL02_165341.html">
New Catch and Retain Rules (http://www.mnr.gov.on.ca/en/Business/LetsFish/2ColumnSubPage/198680.html)
Size Limits (http://www.mnr.gov.on.ca/en/Business/LetsFish/2ColumnSubPage/STEL02_165357.html)
Exporting, Transporting or Storing Fish (http://www.mnr.gov.on.ca/en/Business/LetsFish/2ColumnSubPage/STEL02_165364.html)
Gear Restrictions (http://www.mnr.gov.on.ca/en/Business/LetsFish/2ColumnSubPage/STEL02_165347.html)
Ice Fishing (http://www.mnr.gov.on.ca/en/Business/LetsFish/2ColumnSubPage/STEL02_165366.html)
Bait for Personal Use (http://www.mnr.gov.on.ca/en/Business/LetsFish/2ColumnSubPage/STEL02_165361.html)
Permitted Baitfish Species (http://www.mnr.gov.on.ca/en/Business/LetsFish/2ColumnSubPage/198684.html)
Capture of Bullfrogs and Snapping Turtles (http://www.mnr.gov.on.ca/en/Business/LetsFish/2ColumnSubPage/STEL02_165367.html)
Fishery laws limit the number of fish you may catch or possess. The number depends on the type of licence you hold, the species, where they are caught and, in some cases, their size. For some species there are no limits. In these cases no reference is made to a limit in the Ontario Fishing Regulations Summary.
The catch limit is the number of fish you are allowed to catch and keep in one day, and includes fish that are retained for any period of time and any fish eaten or given away.
The possession limit is the number you are allowed to have in your possession on hand, in cold storage, in transit or anywhere. Possession limits are the same as one day's catch limit except where otherwise specified.
In the Ontario Fishing Regulations Summary, refer the section titled Season and Limits (http://www.mnr.gov.on.ca/en/Business/LetsFish/2ColumnSubPage/198680.html) to determine the limit for the zone in which you will be fishing, the species you are after and the type of licence you have purchased. "S" refers to limits under a Sport Fishing Licence. (For example: S-4 means a catch and possession limit of four.) "C" refers to limits under a Conservation Fishing Licence. (For example: C-2 means a catch and possession limit of two.)
If you catch a fish after reaching the daily catch and retain or possession limit for that species, the fish must be released immediately back to the water. If the limit is zero, anglers may practice catch and release only and any fish caught must be released immediately back into the water in a manner that does not harm the fish.
For some species there are no limits and no reference will be made to a limit in this Summary.
REMEMBER: It is illegal to destroy, or to allow to spoil, fish which have been caught and which are suitable for food.