2023-May-11
New Catch and Release Rules Aim to Keep Fish Healthy
Ontario’s 2023 Fishing Regulations require the immediate release of fish caught in a designated fish sanctuary zone, out of season, over the daily catch or restricted size, and an endangered or threatened fish species. Round Gobies and other invasives must not go back into the water.
Fish caught in open season, meeting legal size and daily catch limits, but not intended for the dinner table, require immediate release at the time and place of capture. One exception to the rule allows anglers, fishing from boats or in fishing tournaments, to delay releasing fish if kept in a live well with a mechanical aerator. Anglers must regularly monitor their fish and when released ensure they are healthy and that any kept fall within catch and possession limits.
Requiring anglers to release fish immediately with least harm is difficult for the Ministry of Natural Resources and Forestry (MNRF) to enforce given the extent and popularity of catch-photo-release fishing and tournaments holding fish for later release. These activities, promoted in fishing and tourism materials and films, often conflict with provincial catch and release rules.
MNRF wants to improve clarity by allowing anglers to delay releasing fish caught in open season for that species, only long enough for photographs and documentation. This would include fish caught in open season but prohibited by size limits or over an anglers catch limit. Fishery experts and the Ontario Fishing and Hunting Association (OFHA) support this and believe a short delay before release would provide minimal risk to individual fish and fish populations. However, the proposals would still require anglers to immediately release fish caught out of season, species at risk or otherwise prohibited under current recreational rules.
Changes to the rules will require both MNRF and Fisheries Oceans Canada’s approval estimated to be January 1, 2025. By then, MNRF will have clarified the time various fish species can be out of water and prescribe methods for safely unhooking and handling fish. The proposed rules should benefit fisheries management and enforcement as well as help anglers practicing catch and release fishing and tournament organizers promoting catch-photo-release style competitive fishing events.
For further information, you can visit www.ero.ontario.ca/notice/019-5045 or to comment, email Dan Taillon, MNRF at fishpolicy@ontario.ca.
w.steiss 05/02/23