Water’s Open, Time To Fish…Right?
I stopped by Fairy Lake in Acton yesterday and was thrilled to find open water! Okay, maybe not completely open water but enough that I’m pretty sure I can cast a line in there by the weekend.
An open stretch of water at Fairy Lake
Yet no sooner had I planned a weekend of fishing then I had to stop and ask myself, “What will be open?” I knew I could fish for crappie because they are open all year round, but this area of open water is first populated by pike and, having a momentary brain cramp, I couldn’t remember if they were still open. The first thing I did upon returning home was pull out my copy of the 2011 Fishing Ontario Recreational Fishing Regulations to see that yes, I can still fish for pike until the end of March.
Regulations Book
At the beginning of each year I go to buy my fishing licence and I make sure to pick up a new copy of the regulations booklet. The booklet outlines how to obtain an Ontario fishing licence, catch limits, tips on live release of fish, and gear and bait restrictions. There are maps broken down by zone to show you the exact rules for each area. The book is extremely easy to follow and will help you have a great day of fishing without having to worry about Ministry officers seizing your equipment. Plus, by following the regulations you know you are helping the Ontario fisheries to be among the best in the world.
I am a rule-follower. Always have been. And it continues to amaze me how many people don’t take the time to learn the regulations. Even more so, it amazes me how few people teach their kids about them. Education benefits everyone and helps to ensure we will have big fish and healthy fisheries. Regulations booklets can be picked up for free or found online.
I really am hoping to fish for some pike this weekend and I will continue counting down the days until the 4th Saturday in April when trout season opens in zone 16 (that’s a date I never have problems remembering).
Tight lines!
argosgirl
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Nice post and read your profile. Congrats on the fishing bug- you’re doomed. New regs are out here in Michigan as well, and I need to get on the ball. Ontario is so big, with so much water, that I found their regs to be confusing at first, but once I figured it out it wasn’t so bad. Have a great spring season!
Jason Tucker
Fontinalis Rising blog
Haha…yeah, it didn’t take me long to realize I was doomed once I got the bug. I seem to have acquired a lot of gear in a little amount of time and spend a disproportionate amount of time on the water! Thanks for visiting!