Protect Ontario’s fisheries with sustainable fishing practices

Research and education

Conservation-minded organizations are involved in many sustainable operations throughout Ontario today.

Ontario Federation of Anglers and Hunters (OFAH)

The OFAH is Canada’s largest nonprofit conservation organization dedicated to protecting fish, wildlife and outdoor traditions.

A team of experts in invasive species is implementing fish stocking initiatives, including the reintroduction of Atlantic salmon in Ontario.

International Institute for Sustainable Development’s Experimental Lake Area (IISD-ELA)

Other organizations have implemented long-term studies on a series of lakes, such as the IISD-ELA, which actively studies over 50 lakes. One important project is researching the damaging short and long-term effects of crude oil spills in Ontario’s freshwater lakes. 

Catch and release

Catch and release fishing has resulted in fisheries returning to life and thriving once the practice was introduced and enforced.

Lake Nipigon and its river system in Sunset Country are excellent examples of how beneficial catch and release practices are. Once known for the world record brook trout, a decline in numbers in the 1950s caused anglers and biologists to jump into action.

After catch and release was implemented, the fishery quickly returned to its former natural glory.

Removing hooks safely

When practicing catch and release, create habitual practices to protect the fish and yourself. Removing hooks efficiently and safely is one of the best ways to practice safe fish handling.

Step one is to keep the fish in the water as much as possible. Ensure you have a large net to hold the fish you’re targeting in the water. While the fish is in the net, use a pair of pliers to gently remove the hook. Pliers will allow you the best grip and protect your own fingers.

If you need to lift the fish up for visibility, hold your breath to give you a realistic idea of how long it will take and when the fish may need to go back into the water.

Handling the catch for a photo

Let the fish rest in the net while you gather your gear and place your rod safely aside before lifting it for a photo. There are several ways to properly hold a fish.

The gill hold is the most popular for toothy fish, such as pike. Under the fish's jaw, two sides meet with its cheeks and gill plate. Slide your hand in between, keeping your fingers as close as you can to the bottom of the fish's mouth, not towards the gills. Use your thumbs on the outside to pinch your fingers on the inside. This will keep your hand safe from the sharp gill teeth without harming the fish.

Use a mouth hold for bass and other panfish, such as crappie or sunfish. Put your thumb on the tongue and pinch down to hold them by the mouth.

Whether you’re doing a gill hold or a mouth hold, make sure you support the weight of the fish to keep it horizontal, not vertical. Fish are uncomfortably suspended from the water, so make it as brief as possible.

Releasing a fish back into the water

When releasing a fish, do it gently and swiftly—some require more care and attention during the release than others.

If possible, hold the fish by its tail. If not, support the stomach so the fish is horizontal in the water with its head underwater. Give it a moment to find its bearings. You’ll see or feel the fish start to swish its tail, indicating it's ready to go. At this point, allow it to easily swim out of your hold.

Sustainable fishing lodges

Fishing operators, guides and lodges who live and breathe the fishing industry understand the value of protecting our resources best.

In addition to promoting provincial regulations, many lodges in northern Ontario have implemented their own standards of conservation for guests, guides and staff. Often slot sizes, catch and release regulations, bait management zones and other limits are set in place. Guides are passionate about keeping aquatic life safe so boats are outfitted with all the tools necessary for safe fish handling.

Fishing lodges and camps promoting catch and release in Northern Ontario include:

Kesagami Wilderness Lodge

Kesagami Wilderness Lodge in Kesagami Provincial Park has created a world-class trophy fishery by encouraging guests to catch and release pike.

Due to mindful protection, it’s possible to catch a personal best 44-inch pike and beat it the very next day with a 45-inch.

Location: Cochrane

Vic and Dot’s Camp

Vic and Dot’s Camp is another example of an operator passionate about healthy local lake trout populations and practices catch and releases on trophy fish.

Selective harvesting in these fisheries maintains a bountiful population of fish, enough to keep your lines tight without sacrificing the famous and sought-after shore lunch.

Location: Lake of the Woods

Wilderness North

Owners Alan and Krista Cheeseman have followed their passion for fishing and outdoor pursuits for over 25 years, resulting in this family-run lodge operation.

Anglers can target a diverse range of fish species, from northern pike to brook trout on a fly rod. Whether at the main lodge or from several outposts, Wilderness North guides toward conservation-minded practices such as releasing large, trophy-size fish.

Location: Thunder Bay

Winoga Lake Lodge

A go-to lodge for the famous Lac Seul muskie, Winoga Lodge takes the conservation of these special game fish to the next level.

There are no slot sizes for muskie on Lac Seul; it is a catch-and-release-only fishery. What you catch goes directly back into the lake, and Winoga Lake Lodge prioritizes safe fish handling.

Winoga has seven outposts, each with its own special species of fish, including walleye, northern pike, whitefish, smallmouth bass, and lake trout. One of the seven outposts is located on Lac Seul.

Location: Sioux Lookout

Brown’s Clearwater West Lodge

Clearwater West has a renowned history of very large lake trout. This lodge operates year-round with several outposts on Clearwater, Pekagoning and the famous White Otter Lake.

The lake is famously home to White Otter Castle but is also where the Ontario catch and release record lake trout was caught ice fishing.

Brown’s Clearwater West Lodge offers modern cabins and beachside campsites for RVs and trailers.

Location: Atikokan

Camp Narrows Lodge

The smallmouth bass fishery of Rainy Lake is one of Northwest Ontario’s top bass fishing locations.

Although bass are open year-round in this Fishing Management Zone (FMZ 5), sanctuaries and slot sizes protect fish during their most vulnerable times of the year.

Rainy Lake also offers walleye, trophy pike and even crappie. Recognizing the unique angling opportunity for year-round bass, Camp Narrows Lodge promotes catch and release practices.

Location: Rainy Lake

Setting North fly-in fishing

Venture beyond the end of the road in Northwest Ontario to Troutfly Lake, about 60 air miles northeast of Pickle Lake where only a handful of people fish each year.

Troutfly Lake has what some have called the grand slam of species: walleye, northern pike, lake trout, whitefish and brook trout in its portage ponds, even more untouched than the lake itself.

Slot sizes are implemented to keep the fish population thriving. Even with as little pressure as the lake sees, this additional measure ensures the size class who are producing the most eggs each year is protected.

Location: north of Pickle Lake

The Lodge at Red Rock

As noted, the Nipigon waters were fiercely protected and restored. Gord Ellis, a long-time guide at The Lodge at Red Rock, is one of those champions.

He and other guides strictly abide by the regulations outlined for Fishing Management Zones (FMZ), specifically FMZ 6, 7 and 9 for Lake Nipigon and the River.

In addition, only barbless hooks are used, and great care is taken to ensure a quick photo and smooth release. Re-catching tagged fish is proof that catch and release has been a sustainable and beneficial practice. Personal best brook trout are frequently caught in the Nipigon system, home to the world record.

Location: Red Rock

Delaney Lake Lodge

Chris and Jill first met at Delaney Lodge and later became the lodge owners.

Several Master Angler class fish were caught and released in Delaney Lake, and it is a point of pride that those fish continue to swim in the lake; thus, catch and release is highly promoted.

Delaney delivers a great fishing experience for walleye, smallmouth bass, lake trout, muskie and northern pike, as well as good food and a friendly atmosphere.

Location: fly-in from Nestor Falls

As long as anglers and outfitters recognize the importance of sustainable fishing and continue to be stewards of our lakes, rivers and waterways, Ontario will continue to be one of the most exciting freshwater fishing destinations in the world.