Fishing · Ontario
Ontario FMZ 16 — Sport Fishing Regulations
Ontario Fisheries Management Zone 16 (FMZ 16) sport-fishing rules for licence year 2026: seasons, S-n and C-n limits, exceptions and sanctuaries — reproduced from the Ontario Fishing Regulations Summary HTML, with citations. The Summary is not the law.
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Official source (Ontario Fishing Regulations Summary): https://www.ontario.ca/document/ontario-fishing-regulations-summary/fisheries-management-zone-16
Data retrieved: 2026-09-01 · HTML last updated 2026-08-04 · Licence year 2026 (calendar). 18 of 18 zone-wide species included. All 38 waterbody exceptions listed on the Ontario HTML for this FMZ are included. This is not complete Ontario.
Verify on Fish ON-Line (map only) →
Reproduction of the Ontario Fishing Regulations Summary. The Summary is not the law. Always verify with the Ministry of Natural Resources (MNR) and Fish ON-Line before you fish. Crown copyright.
General information
- Hamilton Harbour is in Zone 20
- Detroit River and St. Clair River are in Zone 19
- The mouth of many tributaries to Lake Huron and Georgian Bay are in Zones 13 and 14. Refer to regulations maps for Great Lake tributaries at Fishing
- Refer to general fishing regulations for more information on how to use this summary.
- There are several Great Lakes tributaries that have aligned regulations for Atlantic salmon, brown trout, Pacific salmon and rainbow trout - refer to species exceptions .
- Warmouth is listed as endangered in Ontario and may not be caught or possessed under a recreational fishing licence.
- The following waterbodies, or portions of them, have different regulations that are listed in the waterbody exceptions :
- Big Creek
- Credit River
- Grand River
- Green River
- Humber River
- Lake Couchiching
- Lake Simcoe
- Maitland River
- Nine Mile Creek (Lucknow River)
- Nottawasaga River
- Pretty River
- Saugeen River
- Sydenham River
- Thames River
- Waterbodies in Grey and Bruce Counties
- Whitemans Creek (Horner Creek)
- FMZ 16 is part of the Southern Bait Management Zone ( BMZ ). Live or dead baitfish or leeches may not be transported into or out of a BMZ . These rules do not apply to baitfish and leeches which are both dead and preserved. Refer to bait for more details.
Zone-wide rules
| Species | Catch limit | Length limit | Gear | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Aggregate limits for trout and salmon (including splake) | S-5 and C-2; total daily catch and possession limit for all trout and salmon species combined |
fourth Saturday in April to September 30
| Species | Catch limit | Length limit | Gear | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Atlantic salmon | S-0 and C-0 | |||
| Brook trout | S-5 and C-2 | |||
| Brown trout | S-5 and C-2 | |||
| Pacific salmon | S-5 and C-2 | |||
| Rainbow trout | S-2 and C-1 |
open all year
| Species | Catch limit | Length limit | Gear | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Channel catfish | S-12 and C-6 | |||
| Crappie | S-30 and C-10 | |||
| Lake whitefish | S-12 and C-6 | |||
| Splake | S-5 and C-2 | |||
| Sunfish | S-50 and C-25 | |||
| Yellow perch | S-50 and C-25 |
closed all year
| Species | Catch limit | Length limit | Gear | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Lake sturgeon |
January 1 to September 30
| Species | Catch limit | Length limit | Gear | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Lake trout | S-2 and C-1 |
fourth Saturday in June to November 30
| Species | Catch limit | Length limit | Gear | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Largemouth and smallmouth bass combined | S-6 and C-2 |
first Saturday in June to December 15
| Species | Catch limit | Length limit | Gear | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Muskellunge | S-1; must be greater than 91 centimetres, and C-0 | must be greater than 91 centimetres |
January 1 to March 31 and second Saturday in May to December 31
| Species | Catch limit | Length limit | Gear | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Northern pike | S-6 and C-2 |
January 1 to March 15 and second Saturday in May to December 31
| Species | Catch limit | Length limit | Gear | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Walleye and sauger combined | S-4 and C-2; not more than 1 greater than 46 centimetres |
Species exceptions
Brook trout
open all year Bells Lake (44°19′15″ N , 80°44′09″ W )
- Bells Lake (44°19′15″ N , 80°44′09″ W )
Brown trout and rainbow trout
open all year · S-5 and C-2 Big Creek - Walsingham Township, downstream from Regional Road 21 to Long Point Bay of Lake Erie North Thames River (main branch only) - Middlesex County
- Big Creek - Walsingham Township, downstream from Regional Road 21 to Long Point Bay of Lake Erie
- North Thames River (main branch only) - Middlesex County
Atlantic salmon, brown trout, Pacific salmon and rainbow trout
open all year · Zone-wide limits apply Black Creek - City of Nanticoke, from Highway 3 to the junction with the Lynn River Bronte Creek - Town of Oakville, from Highway 2 (Lakeshore Road West) to Lake Ontario Credit River and tributaries - City of Mississauga, from the south side of Highway 403 bridge downstream to Lake Ontario Don River and tributaries - City of Toronto, from Lake Ontario upstream to Eglinton Avenue Fifteen Mile Creek - City of St. Catharines and Town of Lincoln, between the Queen Elizabeth Way and Lake Ontario Forty Mile Creek - Town of Grimsby, between the Queen Elizabeth Way and Lake Ontario Grindstone Creek - City of Burlington, from Highway 2 (Plains Road) to Hamilton Harbour of Lake Ontario (City of Hamilton in the Region of Halton) Highland Creek - City of Toronto from the downstream edge of the Highway 2 (Kingston Road) bridge to Lake Ontario Humber River - City of Toronto, between Eglinton Avenue and Lake Ontario Nottawasaga River - from the Boyne River downstream (north) to Georgian Bay Rouge River - City of Toronto, between Highway 2 (Kingston Road) and Lake Ontario Sixteen Mile Creek (Oakville Creek) - Town of Oakville, from Highway 2 (Lakeshore Road) to Lake Ontario Sixteen Mile Creek - Town of Lincoln, between the Queen Elizabeth Way and Lake Ontario Spencer Creek - City of Hamilton, from Highway 102 (Cootes Drive) to Lake Ontario Thames River - Elgin County and Middlesex County and the Municipality of Chatham-Kent, main branch only Trout Pond of Waterford Ponds - City of Nanticoke Twelve Mile Creek (Zone 20) - City of St. Catharines, between Lakeport Road and Lake Ontario Twenty Mile Creek - Town of Lincoln, between the Queen Elizabeth Way and Lake Ontario Young’s Creek (Ryerse Creek) - Woodhouse Township, from the downstream side of the Front Road bridge to Lake Erie at Port Ryerse Additional fishing opportunities Season : open from fourth Saturday in April to December 31 (extended fall season) Limits : Zone-wide limits apply Bayfield River - Goderich and Stanley Townships, from Highway 4 to the downstream side of the Highway 21 bridge (Huron County) Beaver River - Collingwood Township, from the Thornbury Dam to Georgian Bay (Grey County) Big Creek - Walsingham Township, south of the Quance Dam to Regional Road 21 at Lynedoch Big Otter Creek - Bayham Township (Elgin County) Bighead River - St. Vincent Township (Grey County) Bronte Creek - Town of Oakville from Highway 2 (Lakeshore Road West) upstream to the south side of Highway 407 Credit River and tributaries - from the south side of Britannia Road in the City of Mississauga upstream to the south side of the Highway 407 Bridge in the City of Brampton Don River and tributaries - upstream from Eglinton Avenue in the City of Toronto to the south side of Highway 407 in the Regional Municipality of York Grand River - from a line across the Grand River in Paris at 100 metres downstream of the Highway 2 (Dundas Street West) bridge to the edge of Lake Erie (refer to waterbody exceptions for catch and possession limits) Hog Creek - Tay Township from the C.P.R. bridge (Lot 10, Concession 6) downstream (north) to Georgian Bay (Simcoe County) Humber River and tributaries - upstream from Eglinton Avenue in the City of Toronto to the south side of the Highway 407 bridge in the Regional Municipality of York Little Otter Creek - Bayham Township, East branch of Big Otter Creek Little Sauble River - Bruce Township, from Highway 21 to Lake Huron (Bruce County) Maitland River - Colborne, Goderich, Hullett, East and West Wawanosh and Turnberry Townships, between County Road 4 and the downstream side of the Highway 21 bridge (Huron County) Nine Mile River (Lucknow River) - Ashfield and West Wawanosh Townships, between County Road 86 and Lake Huron North Creek - Middleton Township, downstream of Highway 3 Rouge River - from Highway 2 (Kingston Road) in the City of Toronto upstream to the south side of Highway 407 in the Town of Markham Sauble River - Amabel Township, from the lowest ledge of Sauble Falls 440 metres downstream to a line drawn perpendicular to the river’s current Saugeen River - Arran, Amabel, Brant, Elderslie and Saugeen Townships and in the Town of Walkerton and the Village of Paisley, between the southerly edge of the Municipality of Brockton Concession 2 SDR . bridge and the westerly edge of the concrete abutments downstream of Denny’s Dam Sixteen Mile Creek (Oakville Creek) and tributaries - Town of Oakville from Highway 2 (Lakeshore Road) upstream to the south side of Highway 407 Sturgeon River and tributaries - Tay and Oro-Medonte Townships (Simcoe County), including the mouth of the Sturgeon River at Georgian Bay Young’s Creek - from the dam on Lot 23, Concession 3 to the downstream side of the Front Road bridge
- Black Creek - City of Nanticoke, from Highway 3 to the junction with the Lynn River
- Bronte Creek - Town of Oakville, from Highway 2 (Lakeshore Road West) to Lake Ontario
- Credit River and tributaries - City of Mississauga, from the south side of Highway 403 bridge downstream to Lake Ontario
- Don River and tributaries - City of Toronto, from Lake Ontario upstream to Eglinton Avenue
- Fifteen Mile Creek - City of St. Catharines and Town of Lincoln, between the Queen Elizabeth Way and Lake Ontario
- Forty Mile Creek - Town of Grimsby, between the Queen Elizabeth Way and Lake Ontario
- Grindstone Creek - City of Burlington, from Highway 2 (Plains Road) to Hamilton Harbour of Lake Ontario (City of Hamilton in the Region of Halton)
- Highland Creek - City of Toronto from the downstream edge of the Highway 2 (Kingston Road) bridge to Lake Ontario
- Humber River - City of Toronto, between Eglinton Avenue and Lake Ontario
- Nottawasaga River - from the Boyne River downstream (north) to Georgian Bay
- Rouge River - City of Toronto, between Highway 2 (Kingston Road) and Lake Ontario
- Sixteen Mile Creek (Oakville Creek) - Town of Oakville, from Highway 2 (Lakeshore Road) to Lake Ontario
- Sixteen Mile Creek - Town of Lincoln, between the Queen Elizabeth Way and Lake Ontario
- Spencer Creek - City of Hamilton, from Highway 102 (Cootes Drive) to Lake Ontario
- Thames River - Elgin County and Middlesex County and the Municipality of Chatham-Kent, main branch only
- Trout Pond of Waterford Ponds - City of Nanticoke
- Twelve Mile Creek (Zone 20) - City of St. Catharines, between Lakeport Road and Lake Ontario
- Twenty Mile Creek - Town of Lincoln, between the Queen Elizabeth Way and Lake Ontario
- Young’s Creek (Ryerse Creek) - Woodhouse Township, from the downstream side of the Front Road bridge to Lake Erie at Port Ryerse
- Bayfield River - Goderich and Stanley Townships, from Highway 4 to the downstream side of the Highway 21 bridge (Huron County)
- Beaver River - Collingwood Township, from the Thornbury Dam to Georgian Bay (Grey County)
- Big Creek - Walsingham Township, south of the Quance Dam to Regional Road 21 at Lynedoch
- Big Otter Creek - Bayham Township (Elgin County)
- Bighead River - St. Vincent Township (Grey County)
- Bronte Creek - Town of Oakville from Highway 2 (Lakeshore Road West) upstream to the south side of Highway 407
- Credit River and tributaries - from the south side of Britannia Road in the City of Mississauga upstream to the south side of the Highway 407 Bridge in the City of Brampton
- Don River and tributaries - upstream from Eglinton Avenue in the City of Toronto to the south side of Highway 407 in the Regional Municipality of York
- Grand River - from a line across the Grand River in Paris at 100 metres downstream of the Highway 2 (Dundas Street West) bridge to the edge of Lake Erie (refer to waterbody exceptions for catch and possession limits)
- Hog Creek - Tay Township from the C.P.R. bridge (Lot 10, Concession 6) downstream (north) to Georgian Bay (Simcoe County)
- Humber River and tributaries - upstream from Eglinton Avenue in the City of Toronto to the south side of the Highway 407 bridge in the Regional Municipality of York
- Little Otter Creek - Bayham Township, East branch of Big Otter Creek
- Little Sauble River - Bruce Township, from Highway 21 to Lake Huron (Bruce County)
- Maitland River - Colborne, Goderich, Hullett, East and West Wawanosh and Turnberry Townships, between County Road 4 and the downstream side of the Highway 21 bridge (Huron County)
- Nine Mile River (Lucknow River) - Ashfield and West Wawanosh Townships, between County Road 86 and Lake Huron
- North Creek - Middleton Township, downstream of Highway 3
- Rouge River - from Highway 2 (Kingston Road) in the City of Toronto upstream to the south side of Highway 407 in the Town of Markham
- Sauble River - Amabel Township, from the lowest ledge of Sauble Falls 440 metres downstream to a line drawn perpendicular to the river’s current
- Saugeen River - Arran, Amabel, Brant, Elderslie and Saugeen Townships and in the Town of Walkerton and the Village of Paisley, between the southerly edge of the Municipality of Brockton Concession 2 SDR . bridge and the westerly edge of the concrete abutments downstream of Denny’s Dam
- Sixteen Mile Creek (Oakville Creek) and tributaries - Town of Oakville from Highway 2 (Lakeshore Road) upstream to the south side of Highway 407
- Sturgeon River and tributaries - Tay and Oro-Medonte Townships (Simcoe County), including the mouth of the Sturgeon River at Georgian Bay
- Young’s Creek - from the dam on Lot 23, Concession 3 to the downstream side of the Front Road bridge
Walleye
open all year · S-6 and C-2; no size limits Chenail Ecarte - from the mouth of the Chenail Ecarte at Lake St. Clair to the mouth of the Sydenham River Sydenham River - from the mouth of the Sydenham River at the Chenail Ecarte to the downstream side of the St. George Street Bridge in the Town of Dresden Thames River - from the mouth of the Thames River at Lake St. Clair to the downstream side of the Keil Street Bridge in the Municipality of Chatham
- Chenail Ecarte - from the mouth of the Chenail Ecarte at Lake St. Clair to the mouth of the Sydenham River
- Sydenham River - from the mouth of the Sydenham River at the Chenail Ecarte to the downstream side of the St. George Street Bridge in the Town of Dresden
- Thames River - from the mouth of the Thames River at Lake St. Clair to the downstream side of the Keil Street Bridge in the Municipality of Chatham
Waterbody exceptions
Licence year 2026 (calendar). 18 of 18 zone-wide species included. All 38 waterbody exceptions listed on the Ontario HTML for this FMZ are included. This is not complete Ontario.
Bayfield River — on upstream side of Highway 21 bridge in Huron County
| Species | Catch limit | Length limit | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
no fishing from January 1 to Friday before fourth Saturday in April | no fishing from January 1 to Friday before fourth Saturday in April |
Bayfield River Tributaries — Huron County
| Species | Catch limit | Length limit | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
no fishing from January 1 to Friday before fourth Saturday in April and October 1 to December 31 | no fishing from January 1 to Friday before fourth Saturday in April and October 1 to December 31 |
Big Creek — Walsingham Township, south of the Quance Dam to Regional Road 21 at Lynedoch
| Species | Catch limit | Length limit | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
no fishing from January 1 to Friday before fourth Saturday in April | no fishing from January 1 to Friday before fourth Saturday in April |
Big Creek — Walsingham Township, lying southerly of the dam in the Hamlet of Teeterville to the Quance Dam in the Town of Delhi
| Species | Catch limit | Length limit | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
no fishing from January 1 to Friday before fourth Saturday in April and October 1 to December 31 | no fishing from January 1 to Friday before fourth Saturday in April and October 1 to December 31 |
Bruce and Grey Counties — inland rivers and streams only, excluding those waters identified for this area in Zone 16 Additional fishing opportunities
| Species | Catch limit | Length limit | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| All species (except Largemouth and Smallmouth Bass, Muskellunge and Lake Sturgeon, Northern Pike, Walleye and Sauger) open from fourth Saturday in April to September 30 | open from fourth Saturday in April to September 30 | ||
| Largemouth and smallmouth bass open from fourth Saturday in June to September 30 | open from fourth Saturday in June to September 30 | ||
| Muskellunge open from first Saturday in June to September 30 | open from first Saturday in June to September 30 | ||
| Northern pike open from second Saturday in May to September 30 | open from second Saturday in May to September 30 | ||
| Walleye and sauger open from second Saturday in May to September 30 | open from second Saturday in May to September 30 |
Credit River — and its tributaries - Town of Caledon in Regional Municipality of Peel, Upstream of Old Baseline Road
| Species | Catch limit | Length limit | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Only artificial lures may be used | |||
| Only 1 single-pointed barbless hook may be used | |||
| Brook trout, brown trout and rainbow trout | S-0 and C-0 | S-0 and C-0 |
Credit River — and tributaries - from the south side of the Britannia Road bridge in the Village of Streetsville, upstream to the south side of the Old Baseline Road bridge in the Town of Caledon, Regional Municipalities of Peel and Halton, excluding Levi’s Creek (43°37′ N , 79°44′ W ) and Fletchers Creek (43°37′ N , 79°43′ W )
| Species | Catch limit | Length limit | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
no fishing from January 1 to Friday before fourth Saturday in April | no fishing from January 1 to Friday before fourth Saturday in April |
Credit River — and tributaries - from the south side of the Highway 403 bridge in the City of Mississauga, upstream to the south side of the Britannia Road bridge in the Village of Streetsville
| Species | Catch limit | Length limit | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
no fishing from January 1 to Friday before fourth Saturday in April and August 15 to December 31 | no fishing from January 1 to Friday before fourth Saturday in April and August 15 to December 31 |
Credit River — and tributaries - from the south side of the Old Baseline Road bridge in the Town of Caledon, Regional Municipality of Peel, upstream to Highway 9
| Species | Catch limit | Length limit | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
no fishing from January 1 to Friday before fourth Saturday in April and October 1 to December 31 | no fishing from January 1 to Friday before fourth Saturday in April and October 1 to December 31 |
Grand River — between the West Garafraxa second Line and Scotland Street in the Town of Fergus; between Tower Street in the Town of Fergus and the Bissell Dam in Nichol Township; between 100 metres downstream of a bridge located at the southern boundary of the Elora Gorge Conservation Area and a point 100 metres upstream of Pilkington 8th Line in Pilkington Township; between 100 metres downstream of Pilkington 8th Line bridge and 100 metres upstream of Pilkington Township and Woolwich Township boundary line; and between 100 metres downstream of Pilkington Township and Woolwich Township boundary line and 100 metres upstream of Highway 86 bridge
| Species | Catch limit | Length limit | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Only artificial lures may be used | |||
| Only 1 barbless hook may be used | |||
| Brook trout, brown trout and rainbow trout | S-0 and C-0 | S-0 and C-0 |
Grand River — between the former Town of Paris (City of Brant) and Brantford from a line across the Grand River in Paris at 100 metres downstream of the Highway 2 (Dundas Street West) bridge downstream to the pedestrian and service bridge that crosses the Grand River on an angle upstream (west) of the Brant Conservation Area in the City of Brantford
| Species | Catch limit | Length limit | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Only artificial lures may be used | |||
| Only 1 barbless hook may be used | |||
no fishing from March 1 to Friday before fourth Saturday in April | no fishing from March 1 to Friday before fourth Saturday in April | ||
| Brown trout, northern pike, rainbow trout, smallmouth bass and walleye | S-0 and C-0 | S-0 and C-0 |
Grand River — from the pedestrian and service bridge that crosses the Grand River on an angle upstream (west) of the Brant Conservation Area in the City of Brantford to the edge of Lake Erie
| Species | Catch limit | Length limit | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Brown trout and rainbow trout (combined) | S-1 and C-0; from October 1 to December 31 | S-1 and C-0; from October 1 to December 31 |
Grand River — from the Penman Dam downstream to the William Street Bridge in the former town of Paris (City of Brant)
| Species | Catch limit | Length limit | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
no fishing from October 1 to November 30 | no fishing from October 1 to November 30 |
Grand River — Haldimand County, from the water’s edge of Lake Erie upstream to the dam in the Town of Caledonia
| Species | Catch limit | Length limit | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Walleye | S-4 and C-2; any size | S-4 and C-2; any size |
Grand River — and its tributaries - downstream of the Onondaga and Tuscarora Townships line to Lake Erie
| Species | Catch limit | Length limit | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Walleye and northern pike open from January 1 to last day in February and second Saturday in May to December 31 | open from January 1 to last day in February and second Saturday in May to December 31 |
Humber River — and its tributaries - upstream from Eglinton Avenue
| Species | Catch limit | Length limit | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Brook trout, brown trout and rainbow trout, combined | S-2 and C-1 | S-2 and C-1 |
Humber River — and tributaries - Regional Municipalities of York and Peel and Counties of Dufferin and Simcoe, upstream of Highway 407
| Species | Catch limit | Length limit | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
no fishing from January 1 to Friday before fourth Saturday in April and October 1 to December 31 | no fishing from January 1 to Friday before fourth Saturday in April and October 1 to December 31 |
Lake Simcoe, Lake Couchiching (44°39'51" — N , 79°22'34" W ), Green River, Trent Canal System and their tributaries - downstream from Lake Couchiching to Lock 42, the Trent Canal System in Brock and Ramara Townships, and the Severn River and its tributaries (excluding the Black River) downstream from Lake Couchiching to Wasdell Falls, all within the Regional Municipalities of York, Durham and Simcoe County and the District of Muskoka
| Species | Catch limit | Length limit | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Lake herring (cisco) open from January 1 to March 15 and second Saturday in May to September 30 | open from January 1 to March 15 and second Saturday in May to September 30 | ||
| Lake herring (cisco) | S-2 and C-1 | S-2 and C-1 | |
| Lake trout open from January 1 to March 15 and second Saturday in May to September 30 | open from January 1 to March 15 and second Saturday in May to September 30 | ||
| Lake whitefish open from January 1 to March 15 and second Saturday in May to September 30 | open from January 1 to March 15 and second Saturday in May to September 30 | ||
| Lake whitefish | S-2 and C-1 | S-2 and C-1 | |
| Muskellunge closed all year | closed all year | ||
| Yellow perch | S-50; in 1 day, possession limit of 100, and C-25; in 1 day, possession limit of 50 | S-50; in 1 day, possession limit of 100, and C-25; in 1 day, possession limit of 50 |
Maitland River — Colborne and Goderich Townships, extending 550 metres downstream from Falls Reserve Waterfall to the first natural waterfall
| Species | Catch limit | Length limit | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| closed to night fishing from September 15 to October 31 (1 half hour after sunset to 1 half hour before sunrise) |
Maitland River — Huron County, from the downstream side of the bridge on Highway 21 to the upstream side of the bridge on County Road 4
| Species | Catch limit | Length limit | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
no fishing from January 1 to Friday before fourth Saturday in April | no fishing from January 1 to Friday before fourth Saturday in April |
Maitland River tributaries — Huron County, from the downstream side of the bridge on Highway 21 to the upstream side of the bridge on County Road 4
| Species | Catch limit | Length limit | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
no fishing from January 1 to Friday before fourth Saturday in April and October 1 to December 31 | no fishing from January 1 to Friday before fourth Saturday in April and October 1 to December 31 |
Nine Mile River — Ashfield Township, from the Port Albert Fishway to 100 metres upstream
| Species | Catch limit | Length limit | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
no fishing from fourth Saturday in April to May 15 and September 1 to November 30 | no fishing from fourth Saturday in April to May 15 and September 1 to November 30 |
Nine Mile River — (Lucknow River) - Ashfield and West Wawanosh Townships, between County Road 86 and Lake Huron
| Species | Catch limit | Length limit | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
no fishing from January 1 to Friday before fourth Saturday in April | no fishing from January 1 to Friday before fourth Saturday in April |
Nine Mile River tributaries — Huron County, Highway 86 downstream to Lake Huron
| Species | Catch limit | Length limit | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
no fishing from January 1 to Friday before fourth Saturday in April and October 1 to December 31 | no fishing from January 1 to Friday before fourth Saturday in April and October 1 to December 31 |
Nottawasaga River — Essa Township, waters lying within Lot 1, Concession 5, from Highway 89 above Nicholson Dam downstream to near the confluence of the Boyne River
| Species | Catch limit | Length limit | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
no fishing from January 1 to Friday before second Saturday in May and October 1 to December 31 | no fishing from January 1 to Friday before second Saturday in May and October 1 to December 31 |
Nottawasaga River — from the Boyne River downstream (north) to the Pine River
| Species | Catch limit | Length limit | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Rainbow trout | S-0 and C-0 | S-0 and C-0 |
Pretty River and tributaries — Collingwood and Osprey Townships
| Species | Catch limit | Length limit | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
no fishing from fourth Saturday in April to May 31 | no fishing from fourth Saturday in April to May 31 |
Pretty River and tributaries — Town of Collingwood and Nottawasaga Township
| Species | Catch limit | Length limit | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
no fishing from January 1 to Friday before fourth Saturday in April and October 1 to December 31 | no fishing from January 1 to Friday before fourth Saturday in April and October 1 to December 31 |
Saugeen River — Amabel and Saugeen Townships, Denny’s Dam to the concrete abutments downstream
| Species | Catch limit | Length limit | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| closed to night fishing from October 1 to October 31 (1 half hour after sunset to 1 half hour before sunrise) |
Saugeen River — Township of Brant in the County of Bruce, from the dam face of the Maple Hill Dam to a point 300 metres downstream and including the hydro-electric power channel
| Species | Catch limit | Length limit | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
closed all year | closed all year |
Sydenham River — Derby Township, Artificial Spawning Channels Numbers 1 and 2
| Species | Catch limit | Length limit | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
closed all year | closed all year |
Sydenham River — City of Owen Sound, from the Mill Dam to a point 177 metres downstream
| Species | Catch limit | Length limit | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
closed all year | closed all year |
Sydenham River — City of Owen Sound and Derby Township, from Inglis Falls to Mill Dam, excluding Artificial Spawning Channels Numbers 1 and 2
| Species | Catch limit | Length limit | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
no fishing from fourth Saturday in April to May 31 | no fishing from fourth Saturday in April to May 31 |
Sydenham River — and tributaries - City of Owen Sound and Derby Township, from the base of Inglis Falls downstream to a line drawn due east from the north end of the bridge known locally as either Chinese or Rainbow Bridge to the permanent steel post marker affixed to the shore of the Sydenham River in Harrison Park
| Species | Catch limit | Length limit | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
no fishing from September 1 to September 30 | no fishing from September 1 to September 30 |
Thames River — between the dam at Gordon Pittock Reservoir and the bridge at Highway 59
| Species | Catch limit | Length limit | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
no fishing from March 15 to Friday before second Saturday in May | no fishing from March 15 to Friday before second Saturday in May |
Thames River — from the mouth of the Thames River at Lake St. Clair to the downstream side of the Keil Street Bridge (Municipality of Chatham)
| Species | Catch limit | Length limit | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Muskellunge | S-1; must be greater than 112 centimetres, and C-0 | must be greater than 112 centimetres | S-1; must be greater than 112 centimetres, and C-0 |
Whitemans Creek — (Horner Creek) - Brantford Township, between Robinson Road and Cleaver Sideroad
| Species | Catch limit | Length limit | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Only artificial lures may be used | |||
| Only 1 barbless hook may be used | |||
| Brown trout or rainbow trout | S-1 and C-1; must be greater than 50 centimetres | must be greater than 50 centimetres | S-1 and C-1; must be greater than 50 centimetres |
Whitemans Creek — (Horner Creek) and tributaries - from the East Quarter Town Line Road downstream to the edge of the Grand River
| Species | Catch limit | Length limit | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
no fishing from January 1 to Friday before fourth Saturday in April and October 1 to December 31 | no fishing from January 1 to Friday before fourth Saturday in April and October 1 to December 31 |
Bait restrictions
- FMZ 16 is part of the Southern Bait Management Zone ( BMZ ). Live or dead baitfish or leeches may not be transported into or out of a BMZ . These rules do not apply to baitfish and leeches which are both dead and preserved. Refer to bait for more details.
Fish sanctuaries
No fishing - closed all year
- Colpoy’s Creek - Albemarle Township, from the upper bridge on County Road 9 downstream to the mouth
- Gleason Brook - Keppel Township, from the bridge on County Road 26 to the mouth
- Saugeen River - refer to waterbody exceptions
- Sydenham River - refer to waterbody exceptions
No fishing - January 1 to Friday before the fourth Saturday in April
- Bayfield River - refer to waterbody exceptions
- Big Creek - refer to waterbody exceptions
- Big Otter Creek - Town of Tillsonburg, from Black’s Dam to the north side of the bridge at Oxford Street
- Bradleys Creek - Yarmouth Township, from the Elgin County Road 35 dam to Catfish Creek
- Credit River - refer to waterbody exceptions
- Lafontaine Creek and its tributaries - Township of Tiny in the County of Simcoe, at 44º43′15.167″ N , 80º01′48.461″ W
- Maitland River - refer to waterbody exceptions
- Nine Mile River - refer to waterbody exceptions
- North Creek - Walsingham Township, south of Highway 3
- Stoney Creek - Walsingham Township, south of Highway 3 to Big Creek
- Sturgeon River and tributaries - Tay and Oro-Medonte Townships, upstream (south) from the lamprey barrier
- Young’s Creek (Ryerse Creek) - Woodhouse Township and the City of Nanticoke, between the dam on Lot 23, Concession 3 (former Township of Charlotteville) and the downstream side of the bridge on the Lakeshore Road at Port Ryerse
No fishing - January 1 to Friday before the fourth Saturday in April and August 15 to December 31
- Credit River - refer to waterbody exceptions
No fishing - January 1 to Friday before the fourth Saturday in April and October 1 to December 31
- Bayfield River tributaries - refer to waterbody exceptions
- Big Creek - refer to waterbody exceptions
- Bronte Creek - City of Burlington and Flamborough Township, from the C.P.R. track in the Village of Progreston downstream to the south side of Highway 407, including part of Limestone Creek upstream to Steeles Avenue in the Town of Milton
- Credit River - refer to waterbody exceptions
- Fisher’s Creek - Walsingham Township
- Galt Creek (Mill Creek) - upstream from the boundary of North Dumfries and Puslinch Townships, including Aberfoyle Creek
- Grindstone Creek - Flamborough Township and City of Burlington, from Waterdown Road to Highway 2 (Plains Road)
- Gully Creek and tributaries – Goderich Township
- Humber River - refer to waterbody exceptions
- Maitland River - refer to waterbody exceptions
- Naftel’s Creek and tributaries – Huron County
- Nine Mile River - refer to waterbody exceptions
- Normandale Creek (Potters Creek) - Walsingham Township
- Pretty River and tributaries – refer to waterbody exceptions
- Whitemans Creek - refer to waterbody exceptions for details
No fishing - January 1 to Friday before the second Saturday in May and October 1 to December 31
- Boyne River - Tosorontio Township, from the dam in Earl Rowe Provincial Park downstream (east) to the park boundary
- Nottawasaga River - refer to waterbody exceptions
No fishing - January 1 to May 31 and October 1 to December 31
- Silver Creek and tributaries - Town of Collingwood, Collingwood and Nottawasaga Townships
No fishing - March 1 to Friday before the fourth Saturday in April
- Grand River - refer to waterbody exceptions
No fishing - March 1 to Friday before second Saturday in May
- Beaver River - Thorah Township, from the CNR railway bridge in the town of Beaverton upstream to Highway 12/48
- Pefferlaw River- Town of Georgina, from Highway 48 upstream to the dam in the village of Pefferlaw
- Severn River - Morrison Township, between Coopers Falls Road bridge, downstream to a line extending southerly across the river from the westerly limit of Lot 17, Concession A
- Talbot River and tributaries excluding the Trent Canal system - Thorah and Mara Townships, the area between the eastern side of Highway 12 upstream to the dam in Lot 6, Concession 11
No fishing - March 15 to Friday before second Saturday in May
- Thames River - refer to waterbody exceptions
No fishing - fourth Saturday in April to May 31
- Beatty Saugeen River and tributaries - Normanby and Bentinck Townships and that part of Egremont Township from Highway 6 upstream to the dams at Orchard Park
- Bighead River tributaries - Sydenham, St. Vincent and Holland Townships
- Indian Brook and tributaries - Collingwood Township
- Indian River - Sarawak Township, from Georgian Bay to Indian Falls
- Judges Creek - Eastnor Township, from the first falls above County Road 9 to Georgian Bay
- Keefer’s Creek - Sydenham Township, between the water’s edge of Owen Sound and Slattery Mills Falls
- Little Sauble River and tributaries - Bruce Township, all waters upstream of a line drawn across the river at a point 180 metres upstream from the foot bridge in Inverhuron Provincial Park
- Meux Creek - Neustadt Village in Normanby Township, from dam face to South Saugeen River
- Mill Creek and tributaries – Euphrasia and Collingwood Townships, downstream of Mitchell’s Falls to the Euphrasia and Collingwood Townline
- Orchard Creek (Centreville Creek) and tributaries - St. Vincent Township
- Park Head Creek - Amabel Township, from the confluence of Park Head Creek with the Sauble River upstream to Bruce County Road 10
- Pretty River and tributaries – refer to waterbody exceptions
- Sangs Creek and tributaries – Arran Township
- Sydenham River - refer to waterbody exceptions
- Telfer Creek (Bothwell’s Creek) - Sydenham Township, Grey County
- Willow Creek - St. Edmunds Township
No fishing - fourth Saturday in April to May 15 and September 1 to November 30
- Nine Mile River - refer to waterbody exceptions
No fishing - fourth Saturday in April to May 31 and September 1 to September 30
- Pottawatomi River and Maxwell Creek - City of Owen Sound and Derby Township, from the fourth Avenue West Bridge upstream to the base of the escarpment
No fishing - September 1 to September 30
- Sydenham River - refer to waterbody exceptions
No fishing - September 15 to October 31 (No night fishing)
- Maitland River - refer to waterbody exceptions
No fishing - October 1 to October 31 (No night fishing)
- Saugeen River - refer to waterbody exceptions
No fishing - October 1 to November 30
- Grand River - refer to waterbody exceptions