Can I Fish Without A License In Ontario?

by | Last updated on January 24, 2024

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Can I fish without a license in Ontario? During all other time periods,

Canadian residents between the ages of 18 and 64 years must purchase a valid license to legally fish in Ontario

.

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What happens if you fish without a license in Ontario?

Fishing without a license –

$200, up from $100

. Failing to wear proper hunting clothing – $300, up from $100. Unlawfully firing a gun across a roadway – $500, up from $250.

Can you fish in Ontario without a license right now?


Most people require a recreational fishing licence or deemed licence to legally fish in Ontario

. You must carry your Outdoors Card or licence summary whenever you are fishing. If requested, you must present these documents to a conservation officer.

Do you need a license to fish from a dock in Ontario?

Wait… do I need a licence if I'm fishing from my dock at the cottage?

YES YOU DO

! Find information on getting a valid Outdoors Card and Recreational Fishing Licence here: https://www.ontario.ca/page/fishing-licence-canadian-residents.

Who is exempt from fishing license in Ontario?

If you are

under 18 years old or 65 and older

You do not need to purchase an Outdoors Card or licence to fish.

What is the cost of a fishing license in Ontario?

Licence Fees
3-year sport fishing licence


$79.71
3-year conservation fishing licence $45.21 1-year sport fishing licence $26.57 1-year conservation fishing licence $15.07

Can I buy an Ontario fishing license online?


You can buy your fishing licence online

and save it in a digital format (such as on your smartphone), print it from home, or print it through a participating ServiceOntario or licence issuer location. You must follow catch and possession limits.

How many fish can I catch in Ontario?

You may only catch and keep in one day or possess

no more than five trout and salmon in total under a sport fishing licence ( S –5) or two trout and salmon in total under a conservation fishing licence ( C –2)

.

How many rods can you fish with in Ontario?

You can have

as many fishing rods in the boat as you need

, but there can only be one line in the water per licensed person at a time. Conservation officers often find an angler in a boat with one fishing rod with a line in the water holstered to the boat while the angler is spin casting with another line.

Do you need a fishing license in Canada?


If you are 18 years and older


You will need a valid licence before you can start fishing

. This licence includes two parts: an Outdoors Card (a plastic ID card, valid for three calendar years) a fishing licence (valid for either one or three calendar years)

Can you fish on private property in Ontario?

When you may be right –

it is illegal, in Ontario, to interfere with anyone's right under the Heritage Act to legally fish or hunt

. If someone is harassing you, or has told you false information regarding private property ownership to interfere with your fishing, they can be charged with an offence.

What fish are in season in Ontario?

Species Open Season Sport Licence
Walleye (or Sauger)

Jan. 1-April 14; May 21-Dec 31 2 Per Day 4 Possession
Northern Pike All Year 4 Per Day 4 Possession Smallmouth Bass (or Largemouth) Jan 1- June 30 Catch & Release July 1-Nov 30 4 Per Day 4 Possession

Can I go fishing in Canada right now?


Anglers will still need to be fully vaccinated in order to enter Canada

. Unvaccinated travelers can still enter Canada; however, they will need a valid reason for travel including a negative antigen test in hand upon arrival.

How old can you be to fish without a license in Ontario?

Most Canadian residents need a Fishing Version Outdoors Card and licence to fish in Ontario if they are between the ages of 18 and 64 years old. Those

under 18 or 65 years or older

are exempt.

Can military fish for free in Canada?

Summary of Decision: The decision was made to proceed with the free recreational fishing for veterans and Canadian Armed Forces service members initiative. This allows

veterans and active Canadian Armed Forces members to enjoy free recreational fishing beginning on January 1, 2019

.

Is fishing open in Ontario 2021?

In FMZ 20, the

largemouth bass season will still open on the third Saturday in June and close on Dec. 31

, but the opening of smallmouth bass will be pushed back to the first Saturday in July and close on Dec. 31.

What does an Ontario Outdoors Card do?

Ontario is reminding anglers and hunters to renew their Outdoors Cards. Most people need an Outdoors Card, along with a hunting or fishing licence tag,

to hunt or fish in the province

. The card is valid for three calendar years and all cards expire on the same date at the end of the three-year term — Dec. 31.

How much is a non resident Canadian fishing license?

Licence Fees
3-year sport fishing licence


$249.57
3-year conservation fishing licence $158.13 1-year sport fishing licence $83.19 1-year conservation fishing licence $52.71

How long does it take to get your hunting license in Ontario?

This will be completed

within 15 days of receipt

and allows non-residents to purchase hunting products online before departing. You can, as a non-resident, visit a licence issuer or Service Ontario to purchase your hunting products and go hunting immediately after the purchase.

How long does it take to get a fishing license in Ontario?

Ontario residents are able to purchase an Outdoors Card and licence tag(s) by phone at 1-800-288-1155. If you renew by phone, your Outdoors Card and licence tag(s) will arrive by mail in

approximately 20 days

. You cannot hunt or fish until your plastic card arrives.

Can a US citizen fish in Canada?


Unless exempt, foreign nationals, including United States citizens, cannot enter Canadian waters for any discretionary (non-essential) reasons

, including: Crossing via boat to a cottage or summer home in Canada. Pleasure and competitive fishing.

Is Ontario fishing license valid in Quebec?

You can fish either side with an Ontario license but you must abide by the regs of the province you are in. Also

Quebec does not have the equivalent of the Ontario conservation license so it is not recognized

. If you get caught with one you will be charged.

Is there a limit on catfish in Ontario?

Fishing License – Catch & Possession Limits Crappie 30 10 Perch 50 25 Bluegill/pumkinseed/sunfish 300** 15 Catfish 12 6

Can you fish at night 2020 Ontario?

Chris Jones, a ministry conservation officer in the Peterborough region, said that while

night fishing isn't illegal when anglers have a valid fishing licence

and are following the necessary rules and regulations of the fisheries act, the use of artificial light to attract fish is prohibited.

Can you keep bass?

But is it okay to keep a few smaller fish? Absolutely! In fact, fisheries biologists and wildlife managers all over the country agree, that

keeping bass and abiding by recreational harvest limits can actually help local fish populations

.

Can you fish with corn in Ontario?

These rules apply to all FMZs across Ontario.

Chumming is still allowed, but only with plant-based baits or artificial corn

.

Are barbed hooks illegal in Canada?


In September 2011, Fisheries and Oceans Canada made an amendment to the federal regulations that unintentionally removed the ban on barbed hooks in Alberta

. This left anglers the ability to decide for themselves whether or not to use barbless hooks.

Can you drink while ice fishing in Ontario?

The Ontario Provincial Police (OPP) is reminding the public of the law relating to consuming alcohol while in “Ice Shacks” fishing on area lakes. Consuming alcohol in an ice hut is illegal under Regulation 31(2) of the Liquor Licence Act (LLA).

Do you need a licence to fish in the sea?

Can non residents fish in Canada?


Most Non‐Canadian residents need an Outdoors Card before they can fish in Ontario

. A Non‐Resident Outdoors Card is a plastic, wallet‐sized card, issued by the Ministry of Natural Resources to accompany your Ontario fishing license.

How much does a Canadian fishing trip cost?

Our Canada fishing trips are all-inclusive, and our packages offer value and flexibility. A seven-night fishing trip runs

around $2,500 plus guide fees

. From August 1 to September 30, a late-summer discount of 20 percent is available. Children are 30 percent off adult prices.

Can you own property right up to a river in Ontario?

Are Rivers public property Ontario?


No, it does not

. Even sections of Navigable Waterways can be privately owned if they were granted or deeded to a private owner.

What can I fish for right now in Ontario?

  • Brown Trout – Trout Opener to July 1st.
  • Brook Trout – Trout Opener to June 15th.
  • Spring Steelhead – March 15 to May 15.
  • Fall Steelhead – October 15 to December 15.
  • Salmon – September, and October.
  • Migratory Brown trout – October – November.
  • Bass – late June to September.

How old can you be to fish without a license in Ontario?

Most Canadian residents need a Fishing Version Outdoors Card and licence to fish in Ontario if they are between the ages of 18 and 64 years old. Those

under 18 or 65 years or older

are exempt.

Can I fish anywhere in Ontario?

A person may, upon leaving Ontario, take no more than the designated limits of fish.

No fishing of any kind is permitted in a fish sanctuary

. Some bodies of water, or parts of them, are declared fish sanctuaries for all or part of the year.

Diane Mitchell
Author
Diane Mitchell
Diane Mitchell is an animal lover and trainer with over 15 years of experience working with a variety of animals, including dogs, cats, birds, and horses. She has worked with leading animal welfare organizations. Diane is passionate about promoting responsible pet ownership and educating pet owners on the best practices for training and caring for their furry friends.