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Fishing Information
"Black and green bass are as plentiful here as pollywogs in a rain barrel."
quote from "The Picturesque Rideau," 1898.


The lakes and rivers of the Rideau Waterway offer great fishing opportunities. Species caught along the length of the Rideau Waterway include Largemouth Bass, Smallmouth Bass, Northern Pike, Lake Trout, Yellow Perch, Black Crappie, Muskellunge, and Walleye. In this part of the Rideau website you can check out:
Prior to any fishing adventure you should pick up the full Ontario Sport Fishing Regulations summary. These can be obtained from any sports store in Ontario, from the Ontario Ministry of Natural Resources (call the Natural Resources Information Centre at 1-800-667-1940 (francais: 1-800-667-1840) or (416) 314-2000 (Toronto) or (705) 755-2000 (Peterborough)) or download the Sportsfishing Regulations from the MNR web site in Adobe Acrobat format.

You should also note that Ontario offers two types of fishing licenses, a standard licence and a conservation licence. The basic difference is that a conservation licence is cheaper but has a lower catch limit. Details are listed below.

Please note that the following information is presented as a general guide only (and could contain errors) - please consult the MNR Fishing Guide for specific details.

2008 Fishing Season:

The Ministry of Natural Resources has a rather complex zoning system for fishing (re-done for 2008), however the following summarizes some of the key points for the Rideau region (Zone 18). Prior to embarking on a fishing adventure, be sure the read all the regulations (available on the MNR website, see below) carefully:

Species Season
Bass* (Largemouth & Smallmouth) 4th Saturday in June to November 30
Walleye ( Pickerel) Jan 1 to March 1
and 2nd Saturday in May to Dec. 31
Northern Pike Jan 1 to March 31
and 2nd Saturday in May to Dec. 31
Lake Trout 4th Saturday in May to Sept. 8
Muskellunge 1st Saturday in June to Dec. 15
Perch, Crappie, Sunfish, Whitefish, Catfish open all year

* It is illegal to fish for Bass (or any other species) before the season opens, even if you are going to release them. It is especially damaging to bass during the spawning and rearing season in the spring. When adult bass are removed from their nests the eggs and young bass are left unprotected and subject to predation.

Fish Catch and Possession Limits (standard licence):

Species Catch & Possession Limits*
Bass (Largemouth & Smallmouth) Six (6) per day
Northern Pike Six (6) per day
Walleye Four (4) per day
(not more than 1 greater than 46 cm (18.1 in).
Lake Trout Two (2) per day
Crappie Thirty (30) per day
Whitefish Twelve (12) per day
Catfish Twelve (12) per day
Muskellunge One (1) per day (min size = 91cm /36 in.)
Perch & Sunfish Fifty (50) per day


Conservation Licence holders have a daily catch and possession limit of two (2) Pike, two (2) Walleye, two (2) Bass, ten (10) Crappie, twelve (12) Whitefish, one (1) Lake Trout and zero (0) Muskellunge.

* Note: The catch limit is the number of fish you are allowed to catch and keep in one day. Fish eaten for shore meals are included in the daily catch limit. The possession limit is the number of fish you are allowed to have on hand, in cold storage, in transit, etc. In this area the possession limit is the same as one day's catch limit.

There is a year-round ban on fishing with live or dead lake herring (cisco) as bait.

Fishing Licence Costs:

Ontario Residents If you are an Ontario resident (that is, you have resided in Ontario for at least seven consecutive months during the 12 months before you purchase the licence), you need a Resident Sport Fishing Licence or a Resident Conservation Licence. To purchase a licence, resident anglers must have an Outdoors Card or a temporary permit and card application form.

Prices (Including 5% Federal GST) are as follows:
You do not need an Ontario Resident Sport Fishing Licence if you are under 18 years old or 65 years old or older. You may also fish without a licence if you are a disabled person (Ontario residents only)

Canadian Residents (Outside of Ontario) You are considered a Canadian Resident if you have resided in any part of Canada for at least seven consecutive months in the 12 months before you obtain your licence. Canadian residents may buy either a Resident Seasonal Licence, a Resident Conservation Licence or a Resident One Day Licence and have the same rights and responsibilities as Ontario residents, except that disability exemptions do not apply. You will also be required to buy an outdoor card. Price is about 1.8 times higher than that for an Ontario resident. See the current MNR fishing guide for exact pricing.

Non-residents (Persons Living Outside of Canada) Anyone who is not an Ontario resident or Canadian resident under the above rules is considered a non-resident. A Non-Resident Sport Fishing Licence allows you to fish with a hook and line. Non-residents under 18 may fish without a licence if accompanied by a licensed adult. Any fish caught will legally be part of the catch and possession limit of the person who holds the licence. Groups of children (at least five people under age 18) can fish under a special Licence for Members of an Organized Camp. You can only get this licence from MNR offices. It allows young people to fish when accompanied by an adult in charge. The adult must have a sport fishing licence.

Prices (Including 5% Federal GST) are as follows:

Note: there is no exemption for a non-resident who is 65 years of age or older

Poaching is Stealing:

Fishing out of season, fishing without a licence, and fishing more than your catch limit is a offence under the Game and Fish Act with penalties of up to $25,000. Not only that, it is unethical and criminal. Poaching is stealing, it hurts you, it hurts the wildlife, it hurts everyone. If you see any illegal fishing activity call the MNR Tips Line.

Canada Wide call toll free: 1-877-TIPS-MNR (1-800-847-7667)

Another great way to support responsible fishing in Ontario is to join the Ontario Federation of Anglers and Hunters. They can be reached at:
The Ontario Federation of Anglers and Hunters
P.O. Box 2800
Peterborough, Ontario
K9J 8L5
Tel: (705) 748-6324
Fax: (705) 748-9577

Bass Sign & Brochure

Bass SignBass are particularly succeptible to pre-season fishing which can cause significant damage to fish stocks (catch and release is as bad as catch and keep). To find out why and what you can do have a look at the Bass Out of Season Brochure an Adobe PDF document that you can view, save and/or print.

Remember, Bass season doesn't start until the fourth Saturday in June. To remind people of that fact you can also download a sign showing this. Print it out on your printer and post it at the end of your dock (or local boating access point).

The Sport of Fishing

A true sportsman respects the prey he is after. In the case of fishing, it mean having fun catching fish and making sure that the fish, not caught for the purposes of eating, are returned to the water unharmed. There are a few guidelines that you should follow to ensure that generations to come can enjoy the same quality of fishing we do today.

Use barbless hooks - A skilled fisherman can catch as many fish on barbless hooks as he can on barbed hooks. It makes fishing more fun because you have to pay a bit more attention to line tension and the way you bring in the fish. It puts more sport into fishing. It is particularly critical to use barbless hooks if you plan to catch and release. The fish stand a much greater chance of survival. You can create your own barbless hooks in a few minutes using a file on your existing hooks. Be kind to the fish and go barbless.

Use non-lead weights and jigs - lead fishing gear has a detrimental impact on waterfowl such as ducks, geese, swans and loons. Some birds will pick up lead weights and jigs from the bottom as they scoop up pebbles to help grind their food. Others, such a loons, can swallow lead when they eat fish with lead sinkers or jigs attached.

When you dispose of your old gear, do it onshore, in a proper disposal area (garbage, local hazardous waste disposal area). When you buy new sinkers and jigs, make sure they are made out of non-toxic materials such as tin, bismuth, steel, or special putty. If your tackle shop doesn't have any, ask that they get some in.

Helpful Tips on Releasing Fish

Be gentle: rough and repeated handling destroys the slimy protective coating on fish. Excersise caution when removing the hook from the fish. When handling fish, do not squeeze or touch the gills. Grasp the fish just behind the gill covers and remove the hook as quickly as possible. Don't worry about whether your hands should be wet or dry - it's more important to be gentle.

Be quick: the shorter the time the fish is played, dehooked and released, the better its chances of survival.

Be kind: a fish out of water begins to suffocate and can injure itself while thrashing around. Even a few inches of water under a fish can reduce injury. A net can be used to keep the fish in the water. Remove the hook as rapidly as possible, preferably with long-nosed pliers. Don't tear the hook out. If a hook is deeply caught in the fish, and you must release it, cut the line and leave the hook in.

Be sensible: using barbless hooks and avoiding live or organic bait increases the chance of releasing your catch unharmed. Don't release bleeding fish or fish that are deeply hooked if they are within your legal limit. Their chances of survival are low.

Fish may lose consciousness and float on their side when returned to the water. By holding them upright, in a swimming position, and moving them slowly forward so water runs through the gills, fish get artificial respiration. Release fish when they begin to struggle. It may take a few minutes.

Be humane: fish are living creatures, respect them before and after they are caught. Proper care of released fish will greatly improve survival and help maintain a healthy fishery. It will also identify you as an angler who understands fish conservation.

Remember the Future of Fishing is in your hands.
Books: Fishing Guides on the Rideau

Those interested in Rideau fishing will be interested in two books, published by Friends of the Rideau in 2004 and 2007, all about the fascinating history of fishing guides on the Rideau. The first, Pathfinders, The Guides of The Rideau, published in 2004 is all about the history of guiding on the Rideau (plus fishing tips and recipes). The second, Fish Tales, The Lure and the Lore of the Rideau, published in 2007, is filled with great fishing stories (as told by the guides) set in various Rideau Communities. You'll find both available for sale on the Friends of the Rideau website.

Fishing Links

MNR Sportsfishing Regulations
Rideau Fishing Information Page
Friends of the Rideau Fishing Page
Fish-Hawk.net (good on-line local fishing maps of Rideau lakes and fishing tips)
Anglers: Ontario Fishing Resource
Ottawa Fishing Club
Canadian Angler

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