Ontario is a renowned destination for anglers, offering a wide variety of fishing opportunities across its vast network of lakes, rivers and streams. As we approach 2025, staying informed about the latest Ontario Fishing Regulations is key to enjoying a safe and successful fishing season.
At The Franklin Club, however, provincial fishing regulations and licence requirements do not apply. As a private club, fishing on our property is exclusive to active members, their families and guests. Members are simply asked to follow the club’s own rules and guidelines to ensure an enjoyable experience for all.
Before diving into the updates for 2025, let’s start with a quick refresher on what’s required to fish legally in Ontario.
Don’t Forget Your Fishing Licence
Unless you’re a member of a private club like The Franklin Club, the law requires you to obtain and carry a valid outdoors card and fishing licence before heading out on the water.
Ontario currently has two different types of recreational fishing licences, and both are available in either one-day, one-year or three-year durations for Ontario and Canadian residents:
Outdoors Card: Before you can start fishing, you may require a valid Outdoors Card. This card is a plastic identification card issued by the Ministry of Natural Resources and Forestry. The card is valid for three calendar years, required by those over 18 and under 65 years of age. Once obtained, you can add a fishing licence to your outdoors card.
Sport Fishing Licence: A sport fishing licence is for anglers who want full catch and possession fishing privileges. You’ll want to acquire this licence if you plan to keep what you catch. Make sure you familiarise yourself with the zone, the time of year, the type of fish and the limits allocated to each species per zone.
Conservation Fishing Licence: This is the cheaper option of the two licences, but note it has a lower possession limit than the sporting licence allows. This licence best suits the practice of catch and release, so if you plan to have a fun weekend with little to no intention of harvesting your catch, this licence is for you!
In 2025, Ontario will allow for licence-free fishing for Canadian residents on the following days:
- Family Fishing Weekend in February (February 15-17, 2025)
- Mother’s Day Weekend in May (May 10-11, 2025)
- Father’s Day Weekend in June (June 14-15, 2025)
- Family Fishing Week in July (June 28-July 6, 2025)
If you’re not a licence holder, take advantage of these free fishing days – it’s a great and fun way to spend time with family and friends while enjoying the beauty of the outdoors!
What’s New in Ontario for Fishing in 2025?
Effective January 1st, 2025, this year’s regulations include updates on fish sanctuaries, alterations, and additional fishing opportunities for brook trout, rainbow trout, aurora trout and other freshwater species in Ontario.
Let’s dive into the details…
FMZ 6 Update – Lake Trout & Rainbow Trout Waterbodies
Fishing Management Zone 6 is located in Northwestern Ontario, is known for its incredible fishing opportunities. Notable locations include Lake Nipigon, the Nipigon River, Lac des Mille Lacs, and Arrow River. These waters are renowned for their diverse fish species and stunning natural surroundings.
The 2025 changes to this zone affect areas of fishing opportunities for both Lake Trout and Rainbow trout water bodies.
The fishing season for Lake Trout is open all year long. Catch-and-keep limits are 2 for Sport licence holders and 1 for Conservation licence holders. There is zero size limit on the fish in this area. In 2025, the following locations were added for Brook Trout fishing in FMZ 6:
- Pass Lake (48°33’45″N., 88°44’05″W.) – Superior County
As for Rainbow trout, catch-and-keep limits are 5 for Sport licence holders and 2 for Conservation licence holders. This year, the following locations in FMZ 6 are open for Rainbow trout fishing:
- D’Arcy Lake (48°35′49″N., 88°39′38″W.)
- Hades Lake (48°44′10″N., 88°48′58″W.)
- Uncle Al’s Lake (48°26′32″N., 89°50′02″W.)
- Wednesday Lake (48°44′13″N., 89°05′47″W.)
FMZ 7 Update – Brook Trout Waterbodies
Fishing Management Zone 7 includes the cities of Nipigon, Geraldton, Manitouwadge, and Wawa. The Hearst and Nakina communities and Michipicotan island are also considered part of this zone.
The updates to this zone reflect changes to Brook Trout waterbodies and the opening of Borealis Lake. The Brook Trout catch-and-keep limits are 5 for Sport licence holders (not more than 2 greater than 30 centimetres, of which not more than 1 greater than 40 centimetres) and 2 for Conservation licence holders (not more than 1 greater than 30 centimetres, of which none greater than 40 centimetres). In 2025, the following new location in FMZ 7 are available for Brook Trout fishing:
- Borealis Lake (49°00’43”N., 86°44’08”W.)
FMZ 8 Update – Aurora Trout Cycle
Fishing Management Zone 8 is located in Northeastern Ontario encompassing Hearst, Chapleau, Cochrane, Timmins, and Kirkland Lake are located in Northeastern Ontario. These areas are renowned for their exceptional fishing opportunities, featuring abundant lakes, rivers and wilderness. Anglers can enjoy catching species like walleye, northern pike, and trout in these prime fishing destinations
The changes to this zone affect the three year Aurora Trout season rotational cycle. Catch-and-keep limits for Aurora Trout are 1 for Sport licence holders and 0 for Conservation licence holders. In 2025, the following location rotation in FMZ 8 are:
Closing (Fish Sanctuary):
Opening:
FMZ 10 Update – Lake Trout Water Bodies
Fishing Management Zone 10 is located in Northeastern Ontario and is one of 20 fisheries management zones in the province. It boasts the highest road and population density among Northeast zones and features more lake trout and brook trout lakes than any other in the region. This zone includes many streams flowing into Lakes Superior and Huron, along with numerous small, deep, and clear inland lakes, making it a prime destination for fishing enthusiasts.
As of January 1, 2025 changes to the list of lake trout waterbodies can be found in additional fishing opportunities.
FMZ 11 Update – Extended Dip Netting Season
Fishing Management Zone 11 is located in Northeastern Ontario and is part of the Northeast Bait Management Zone (BMZ). It offers additional brook trout fishing opportunities, with specific bait restrictions on certain waterbodies. Key waterbodies with unique regulations include Cut Lake, Green Lake, Lake Nipissing, Lake Temagami, and Trout Lake, among others. These exceptions are detailed in the waterbody-specific regulations, ensuring sustainable fishing practices in this diverse zone.
As of Jan 1st, 2025 changes to extend dip netting season for cisco (lake herring) and lake whitefish to apply to all waters where angling is permitted in Zone 11.
FMZ 17 Update – Extended Fall Season & New Fish Sanctuary
Fishing Management Zone 17 is located in Southern Ontario and offers diverse fishing opportunities across its Great Lakes tributaries and inland waterbodies. Key locations include the Ganaraska River, Lake Scugog, and the Trent River, which are known for species like rainbow trout, brown trout, Pacific salmon, and Atlantic salmon.
Sanctuary rules went into effective September 1, 2024 for the Ganaraska River in the town of Port Hope (no fishing from September 1 to October 14) and an expanded area for the extended fall season – summary of changes to the Ganaraska
Complete 2025 Ontario Fishing Regulations Guide
For a full review of the 2025 Ontario fishing regulations, including changes, updates and details on zones not mentioned above, visit the guide here:
PDF DOWNLOAD: Ontario Fishing Regulations Summary
VIEW ONLINE: Ontario Fishing Regulations Summary
Carefree Fishing at The Franklin Club – Avoid Restrictive Regulations
Discover stress-free fishing at The Franklin Club, we are the home to one of Canada’s largest trout hatcheries with over 100,000 fish. Located just 65KM’s north of Toronto, our private 200-acre property offers our members year-round, license-free fishing on Franklin Lake and Harris Pond and Douglas Pond.
Here, provincial licenses and regulations do not apply—just enjoy the benefits of membership in solitude or with your family and friends!
Become a member today! Contact us to schedule a tour and learn more.
Important Information
The Franklin Club assumes no responsibility for errors or omissions in the content of this site. All information is provided on an “as is” basis, without guarantees of completeness, accuracy, usefulness, or timeliness. For any inquiries on provincial licences and regulations, please Contact the Ministry of Natural Resources directly.
