Photo : Maksim Sokolov (maxergon.com), CC BY-SA 4.0, Wikimedia Commons
Ontario
Province, Canada. Authority : Ontario Ministry of Natural Resources.
2026 rules, checked on 23 September 2026.
- Licence
- CA$249.57Non-Canadian resident three-year sport fishing licence
- Calendar lines open on
- 123 September 2026
- Minimum sizes
- 137 cmMuskellunge (FMZ 20)
Useful gear for this area
Chosen from the species and size limits regulated in this area.
Responsible gearDigital Hanging Scale 50 kgTo check the minimum size: Muskellunge 137 cm here.
€30.90£16.90Not shipped to the United States
Small Floating Tail-Spinner Lures 6 cm, Pack of 5For : largemouth bass, smallmouth bass, european perch · crankbait and hard-lure fishing
€36.90£22.90Not shipped to the United States
132-Piece Lure and Tackle BoxFor : northern pike, zander, walleye · spoon and spinner fishing
€51.90£29.90Not shipped to the United States
2026 season calendar
FMZ 17 (Kawarthas / central Ontario) zone-wide FMZ 5 (Northwestern Ontario) zone-wide FMZ 20 (Lake Ontario / St. Lawrence) zone-wide
FMZ 5 and FMZ 17 zone-wide; FMZ 20: Jan 1 - Mar 31 and first Saturday in May - Dec 31
FMZ 17; FMZ 5: Jan 1 - Sept 30; FMZ 20: Jan 1 - Sept 30 and Dec 1 - Dec 31
FMZ 17 zone-wide; FMZ 5: open all year
FMZ 17 zone-wide
Solid bars: fishing allowed. Yellow line: today.
Minimum sizes
| Species | Minimum size | 0–140 cm |
|---|---|---|
| Walleye and sauger (FMZ 17 slot)5 sport licence: must be between 35-50 cm (13.8-19.7 in) to keep, FMZ 17 | not published | |
| Walleye (FMZ 5)4 not more than 1 greater than 46 cm (18.1 in) | not published | |
| Northern pike (FMZ 5)4 none greater than 75 cm (29.5 in) | not published | |
| Muskellunge (FMZ 17)5 must be greater than 112 cm, S-1, C-0 | 112 cm | |
| Muskellunge (FMZ 20)6 must be greater than 137 cm | 137 cm |
To check the minimum size: Muskellunge 137 cm here. Digital Hanging Scale 50 kg €30.90£16.90Not shipped to the United States
Bag limits
| Species | Fish you may keep |
|---|---|
| Walleye and sauger combined5 sport licence S-4, conservation C-1 (FMZ 17); FMZ 5 non-Canadian residents: daily S-2, possession S-4 | 4 per day |
| Northern pike5 S-6 / C-2 in FMZ 17 and FMZ 20; S-4 / C-2 in FMZ 5 | 6 per day |
| Lake trout5 S-3 / C-1 in FMZ 17 and 20; FMZ 5 residents S-2, non-Canadian residents S-1 | 3 per day |
| Largemouth and smallmouth bass combined5 S-6 / C-2 FMZ 17 | 6 per day |
Licence
| Licence | Duration | Price |
|---|---|---|
| Ontario resident 1-year sport fishing licence (+ Outdoors Card $8.57 required)1 | annual (calendar year, Jan 1 - Dec 31) | CA$26.57 |
| Outdoors Card (valid 3 calendar years, required except for 1-day licence)1 | 3 years | CA$8.57 |
| Ontario resident one-year sport fishing licence1 | annual | CA$26.57 |
| Ontario resident three-year sport fishing licence1 | 3 years | CA$79.71 |
| Ontario resident one-day sport fishing licence (no Outdoors Card needed)1 | 1-day | CA$12.21 |
| Ontario resident one-year conservation fishing licence1 | annual | CA$15.07 |
| Ontario resident three-year conservation fishing licence1 | 3 years | CA$45.21 |
| Canadian resident one-year sport fishing licence1 | annual | CA$55.81 |
| Canadian resident three-year sport fishing licence1 | 3 years | CA$167.43 |
| Canadian resident one-day sport fishing licence1 | 1-day | CA$15.21 |
| Canadian resident one-year conservation fishing licence1 | annual | CA$33.43 |
| Canadian resident three-year conservation fishing licence1 | 3 years | CA$100.29 |
| Non-Canadian resident one-year sport fishing licence1 | annual | CA$83.19 |
| Non-Canadian resident three-year sport fishing licence1 | 3 years | CA$249.57 |
| Non-Canadian resident one-day sport fishing licence1 | 1-day | CA$24.86 |
| Non-Canadian resident eight-day sport fishing licence1 | 8-day | CA$54.38 |
| Non-Canadian resident one-year conservation fishing licence1 | annual | CA$52.71 |
| Non-Canadian resident three-year conservation fishing licence1 | 3 years | CA$158.13 |
| Non-Canadian resident eight-day conservation fishing licence1 | 8-day | CA$31.52 |
Buy the licence on huntandfishontario.com
- Ages and exemptions1
- Ontario and Canadian residents under 18 or 65 and older fish without Outdoors Card/licence (carry government ID; sport limits). Non-Canadian residents under 18 need no licence if accompanied by a licensed angler (fish count in that angler's limit); non-Canadian residents 65+ need a licence. All fees subject to 13% HST. Free family fishing for Ontario/Canadian residents: Feb 14-16, May 9-10, June 20-21, June 27-July 5, 2026 (conservation limits).
Good to know
Ontario is divided into 20 Fisheries Management Zones (FMZ), each with its own seasons and limits. Two licence types: sport (full limits) and conservation (reduced limits). Licences run on calendar year. Non-Canadian residents camping on Crown land in parts of Northwestern Ontario must follow conservation limits. Ontario-resident veterans and active CAF members fish free. The Fish and Wildlife Licensing Service will be replaced by a new system in early 2027.
What the authority does not publish
Points we could not find in the official texts: check with the authority.
- Seasons given for 3 representative zones only (FMZ 5, 17, 20) out of 20; other zones differ
- Exact 2026 dates computed from 'Nth Saturday' rules (not printed as dates in source)
Rules change every year and can be amended during the season. Before fishing, check the text in force with the authority listed.
Frequently asked questions
How much is a fishing licence in Ontario in 2026?
The “Non-Canadian resident three-year sport fishing licence” licence costs CA$249.57 (3 years). Other options and prices are in the table above, with the official source.
What is the minimum size for muskellunge in Ontario?
Muskellunge: 137 cm. Any smaller fish must be released immediately.
Official sources
- Ontario Fishing Regulations Summary 2026 - Recreational fishing licences and fees (accessed on 23 September 2026)
- Fishing licence (non-residents of Canada) (accessed on 23 September 2026)
- Fishing licence for Ontario and Canadian residents (accessed on 23 September 2026)
- FMZ 5 (accessed on 23 September 2026)
- FMZ 17 (accessed on 23 September 2026)
- FMZ 20 (accessed on 23 September 2026)
- 2026 Fishing Regulations Summary PDF (accessed on 23 September 2026)
- www.ontario.ca/document/ontario-fishing-regulations-summary
Last checked : 23 September 2026.