Canada Ontario's provincial government has established certain guidelines that must be followed while allowing residents to enjoy the pleasure of fishing; otherwise, our next generation or the generation after may find no fish to catch. These "future-oriented" fishing regulations are essential for those immigrating to Canada to adhere to, as violations can result in fines comparable to traffic violations. After outlining the "Ten Permissible" fishing practices in Ontario, today we will review the "Ten Prohibitions."
1. Without a special license for transporting or stocking fish, it is prohibited to transport any fish caught with single or multiple hooks from Ontario waters.
2. It is prohibited to transfer live fish or live eggs from one water body to another without permission from the Ministry of Natural Resources.
3. Possessing live fish of any of the following invasive species: red-eyed fish, spotted bass, bighead carp, and bait hooks - using fish, black carp, grass carp, silver carp, round goby, tubenose goby, or members of the family Percidae within Canadian national parks and wildlife areas.
4. Using live fish as bait other than permitted bait fish.
5. Catching or possessing any of the following specially protected fish: American eel, cutlip minnow, and redside shiner.
6. Selling or purchasing any recreational fishing catch (including specimens), crayfish, leeches, frogs, fish eggs, or aquatic animal eggs. Only individuals holding a commercial fishing or commercial bait license may sell their catch.
7. Possessing a spear gun, gaff hook, or harpoon within 30 meters (98 feet) of any water body. A spear gun, aside from tension fishing rods, includes any device set up by anglers to hook fish in the mouth. No one may fish using a spear gun, gaff hook, or harpoon. Spears other than spear guns may be used to assist in removing legally obtained catches.
8. Fishing in any manner other than angling, spearfishing, bowfishing, net fishing, or bait traps.
9. Using artificial lighting to attract fish except in the following situations: catching whitefish, lake whitefish, or using a dip net to catch lake herring, where the lighting is part of the bait on the fishing line.
10. Discarding fish or allowing fish flesh to spoil if the fish is suitable for human consumption.
