Ontario MNR Outdoors Card

 

Most Canadian residents and all non-resident anglers require a licence to fish in Ontario. An Outdoors Card is a plastic, wallet-sized card to which your Ontario fishing licence tag is affixed for up to years.

A complete and valid licence to fish consists of both an Outdoors card and a fishing licence tag. If you do not have a current Outdoors Card, a temporary paper licence enables you to fish immediately.

Current year licence tags available throughout the province from sporting goods outlets, tackle shops, fishing / tourism outfitters and bait dealers.

Two types of fishing licence tags are available - the standard licence and a conservation licence which reduces catch and possession limits.

Renew your Ontario Outdoors Card online.

Sample Ontario Outdoors Card

MNR Fishing Website

The Ontario Ministry of Natural Resources (MNR) has responded to the overwhelming popularity of its online fishing information services by creating a comprehensive fishing website loaded with important fishing information and tips.

MNR Website Screen Capture
 
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Tips on Live Release

Using proper release techniques improves fish survival, helps maintain a healthy fishery and identifies you as a conservationist. Selective harvest - carefully choosing which fish are to be released or kept - is another important aspect of catch & release.

"The future of fishing is in your hands !"

If you have made the decision to release some or all of your catch:
  • use single, barbless hooks.
  • avoid the use of live baits.
  • play fish to the boat quickly.
  • minimize the handling of fish.
  • do not use a landing net.
  • do not squeeze or touch the gills.
  • support the fish's body when lifting.
  • keep the fish in the water.
  • remove or cut off hooks with pliers.
  • hold the fish in a swimming position.

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Exporting, Transporting or Storing Fish

Many anglers travel long distances and / or cross international borders to catch the adventure of fishing in Ontario. To allow Ministry of Natural Resources personnel to monitor and enforce laws in place to protect Ontario's fisheries resources, make sure that you are exporting, transporting and / or storing fish according to the regulations.

To prepare fish for export, transport or storage, make sure that:

  • a large portion of the skin and scales are left on each fish / fillet for purposes of identification.

  • fish are wrapped / frozen separately so that they can be counted.

  • where length limits or size / slot restrictions are in effect, that both the head and the tail are left on the fish so that it can be accurately measured. (see explanations below.)
Unless otherwise stated, size / slot limits refer to the total length - a measure from the tip of the mouth (with the jaws closed) to the tip of the tail (with tail fin lobes compressed) to give the maximum possible length.

On some bodies of water, the regulations may specify a size / slot limit that is the fork length - a measure from the tip of the mouth (with jaws closed) to the central part / V / notch of the tail fin.

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A Poacher Is A Thief

Ontario's wildlife and fisheries are an important part of our natural heritage. Game and fish laws help sustain these resources for today's users, our children and future generations. Breaking these laws by poaching is a crime.

Help protect the future of hunting and fishing in Ontario by getting involved. If you see or know of a poacher, call Crime Stoppers. Crime Stoppers and the MNR encourage hunters and anglers to provide the authorities with information about poaching. Crime Stoppers provides complete anonymity and, with the arrest of offenders, a cash reward of up to $ 1000.

 

Crime Stoppers

1-800-222-TIPS
1-800-222-8477

Canada-wide listing

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Contaminants in Sport Fish

Fish can accumulate contaminants to levels that may pose a health hazard to the public. To protect the health of those who consume sport fish, the Ontario Government tests fish from lakes and rivers throughout the province for a wide variety of contaminants, including mercury, PCBs, DDT, mirex and dioxins. The results of this testing program are made available through the Guide to Eating Ontario Sport Fish.The guide provides species and size-specific advice on fish consumption from more than 1600 locations throughout Ontario.

The 2005-2006 Guide to Eating Ontario Sport Fish is available free of charge from offices of the Ministries of Natural Resources and Environment.

 
Copies can also be obtained by contacting:

Sport Fish Contaminant Monitoring Program
Ontario Ministry of the Environment
125 Resources Road,
Etobicoke, ON
M9P   3V6

telephone:   1-800-820-2716
e-mail:    sportfish@ene.gov.on.ca

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Ontario Record Fish Registry

Visit the OFAH website

 The Ontario Federation of Anglers and Hunters operates the Ontario Record Fish Registry which recognizes the largest fish (by weight) caught in Ontario for each of 47 species.

Ontario Federation of Anglers and Hunters
P.O. Box 2800,
Peterborough, ON
K9J   8L5

phone:   705-748-6324
fax:       705-748-9577
e-mail:   ofah@ofah.org

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MNR News Releases & Fact Sheets

A section of the Ontario Ministry of Natural Resources website is maintained as a "bulletin board" where current legislation, announcements, issues and position statements, contact information, publications, etc. are posted.

MNR postings include:

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