New Proposal to Protect Ontario’s Waters and Fisheries

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Province releases draft bait management strategy

“Our government is committed to protecting Ontario’s vibrant fisheries and the industries that rely on them by reducing the risk of spreading aquatic invasive species and fish diseases,” Minister Yakabuski said. “We are aiming for a policy that protects our lakes and rivers while minimizing the impact on anglers and increasing business certainty for the commercial industry that relies on bait.”

The new strategy proposes that:

  • movement of both purchased and personally-harvested baitfish and leeches is limited to four bait management zones
  • anglers can personally-harvest and move their bait within the zone of their primary residence without additional documentation
  • anglers who use bait outside of the bait management zone of their primary residence would be required to purchase their bait in the zone where they are fishing. They would be required to keep a receipt on hand to show proof of purchase location. The proof of purchase would remain valid for two weeks. Anglers who fish and use bait in their home zone do not need a receipt
  • the list of eligible baitfish species is reduced to only those 34 species that anglers and commercial operators typically use and sell
  • the use and storage of bait is prohibited in native Brook Trout lakes
  • no changes to the use and harvest of bait in Provincial Parks
  • minor changes will be made to commercial bait licences (e.g. to provide longer licence terms, to work with the industry to develop a compliance framework)

We intend to amend Ontario Fishery Regulations under the federal Fisheries Act and Ontario Regulation 664/98 (Fish Licensing) under the Fish and Wildlife Conservation Act to implement the proposal should it proceed. No additional opportunity for comments will be provided.

See Ontario’s Sustainable Bait Management Strategy.  The draft strategy is open for public feedback until November 14th.

See Bait Management Review for information on the live bait industry, assembled prior to a policy review of live bait management in the province.