“The egrets fly before the West Mountain, the peach blossoms flow with the fat perch; with a green bamboo hat and a green raincoat, there’s no need to return in the light rain and gentle breeze.” The joy of a fisherman lies here. With green mountains and clear waters, lush trees and grass, and the sounds of birds and flowers, fishing offers a unique pleasure. Immigrating to Canada to become a fisherman is not that easy; knowing that you need a fishing license is not enough, as there are many rules to follow. Below, I will outline the "Ten Essentials" you need to know for fishing in Ontario as you prepare to become a fisherman.
1. You must be licensed to fish. Before fishing in Canada, please purchase a valid Ontario fishing license.
2. Familiarize yourself with the general fishing regulations. It is essential to know the prohibited activities, definitions, and regulations regarding ice fishing, bait, transporting fish, non-angling capture methods, and preventing the spread of invasive species.
3. Look for a fishing zone map; a subsequent article on our website will provide this map. It is used to determine which zone the location you plan to fish in belongs to. Alternatively, you can check ontario.ca/fishing.
4. Review the regulations for the above zones to determine:
. The open season for the species of fish you plan to catch in that zone.
. The catch and possession limits and size restrictions (if applicable) for that species in that zone.
5. Most catch and possession limits and some size restrictions differ between holders of a "Sport Fishing License" and holders of a "Conservation Fishing License."
. S – refers to the limits under a Sport Fishing License. For example: S-4 = the catch and possession limit is four fish.
. C – refers to the limits under a Conservation Fishing License. For example: C-2 = the catch and possession limit is two fish. (Note: All size restrictions refer to total length—see the Ontario Fishing Regulations Summary.)
6. Hooks and lines—unless otherwise stated in the regulations, an angler may only use one line. In some areas of the Great Lakes, when fishing from a boat and in many areas when ice fishing, two lines may be used. A single line may have a maximum of four hooks attached.
7. Live fish storage containers—if you use a live fish storage container or equipment to hold fish, your name and address must be clearly marked and visible without lifting the container, unless it is part of the boat or tied to the boat. You must always keep an eye on the fish you possess; allowing fish to waste is illegal. Catch and possession limits apply to live fish storage containers.
8. Live wells—a live well is a compartment on a boat used to keep fish alive. Live wells used for selectively releasing bass, pike, and northern pike must be attached to the boat or be part of the boat, have a total capacity of at least 46 liters (10 gallons) of water, have a water exchange feature, and continuously aerate while holding live fish. Please remember, live fish cannot be transported overland without a permit.
9. Size limits—all size measurements refer to total length, which is measured from the tip of the fish's snout to the tip of the tail, with the tail fin pressed down to obtain the longest length. The rules set by the provincial government are in decimal format. Note: If the fish you catch is within the size limit, it must be released immediately.
10. Open fishing seasons—the opening and closing of fishing seasons vary by region and species. Season dates include start and end dates; both the first and last days are open or closed. Attempting to catch fish after the fishing season has ended is illegal, even if you intend to release them afterward. Fish accidentally caught after the fishing season must be released back into the water immediately.
