Fishing in Ontario

Grandchildren are great re-connectors, and in this case they forced me to make a connection back to fishing in Ontario.  Kids just love to fish, and the time was now on our annual cottage vacation in Haliburton, Ontario.  The last time I had fished was in the mid 80's.  First thing on the agenda was the license, followed by the bait, followed by a review of the current fishing regulations.  All of the above information can be found in detail in Fishing Ontario 2008-2009 Recreational Regulations Summary.

 

Ontario Fishing Licence

Buy your fishing licence before you start fishing. Decide on a full Sport Fishing License or a Conservation Fishing License.  Different licences and costs apply to Ontario residents; other Canadian residents; and non-residents of Canada.  Some exceptions apply during Family fishing weeks July 4-12, 2009 and family fishing weekend: Winter Family Fishing Weekend February 14-16, 2009.  Summer family fishing weekend July 10-12, 2009.

I encourage visitors to buy the fishing licence from the small tourist operator businesses in the area or region where you are fishing.  Support Ontario’s small businesses who can sell a license.  In our case we stopped in at a local vendor in Minden who was very helpful with some good tips. .  You will be surprised at how helpful, the many local bait and tackle businesses, the resorts and fishing lodges, fishing resorts, and fly-in fishing operations can be in providing tips, bait that is working, hidden fishing holes, and great hospitality.

Bait for Fishing in Ontario

What type of fish will you be going after?  A tough question!  About the only fish that came to mind, having not thought about this in advance, it was Bass. 

Well, he said, “This is how to fish for Ontario Bass”.  He pulled a hook with an attached rubber work from his foam board beside the cash.  “Here is my secret”, a larger than normal hook, with an 0 Ring.  Place the worm through the O Ring, then put the O Ring through the hook so the worm is dangling at the bottom of the loop of the hook.  Gee I said, is this a new way to fish, I would have put the hook through the worm! No things are changing.  $20. later loaded with worms, bait and hooks we were off to start fishing.

Good tips, I only wish we had caught a fish!!  However, the next time I will be ready and prepared.  Not sure yet about the rubber worm?

Ontario Fishing Terms

Familiarize your understanding of the terms used in the fishing regulations in particular: Aggregate limits,  bait, baitfish, catch and possession limits, use of livewells, catch and release, transporting fish in Ontario, packaging your fish catch, ice fishing regulations, and non-angling methods of capturing fish, and ways to stop the spread of invading fish species.  Again, all of the above information can be found in detail in Fishing Ontario 2008-2009 Recreational Regulations Summary.

Fishing With Kids

Back to Haliburton with 3 grandkids in 2009, and guess what we caught a lot of fish and had a lot of fun without going out in a boat.  Dock fishing with the kids pointed out to me a number of tips when fishing with kids.  See my tips Fishing with Kids.