Recently, I have been getting a fair share of questions concerning Fishing Licenses, Season openings and closings, Boating Licenses, and what fish are safe to eat, and where? So, I decided to give everyone some resources to help them along the way to answer those questions.

Firstly, lets cover the Fishing License…

You’ll require one of these if you plan on wetting a line in Ontario. Comes in two flavors, Sportsman and Conservation. Each with their own limits depending on your target species and your Zone (see the regulations info below). For all info concerning where and how to acquire one, and more, be sure to visit:

http://www.mnr.gov.on.ca/en/STDU_129662.html?CSB_ic-name=tourPages&CSB_ic-info=enjoy-fishing_Eng

Also, you can’t go without your copy of the 2011 fishing regulations. Be sure to check your kreel limits and limitations for the specific zones. Your are required by the ministry to know these specifics before you head out fishing. You can find all the info here:

http://www.mnr.gov.on.ca/en/Business/LetsFish/Publication/STEL02_163615.html

Now, you are probably hearing more and more on the news and various publications about the new regulations for Boating licenses. You are now required by law to have a Pleasure Craft Operators card when operating a nautical vessel.

There are many forms of this card, and many ways to acquire one. Below are some of the main listings to get yours:

http://www.boatsmartexam.com/EN/

http://www.boaterexam.com/canada/

http://www.boatinglicense.ca/

Okay. Maybe you have all of the above, and your ready to get out there and hammer some fish. But you are not sure what is safe to eat, and from where. Fear not, for we have you covered.

This handy little guide can be picked up at any fishing retailer, or you can simply download it to view at your leisure or to print. Here is the link for the downloadable PDF of the book:

http://www.ene.gov.on.ca/environment/en/resources/collection/guide_to_eating_ontario_sport_fish/STDPROD_075994.html

So there you go, this should be everything you need to know to get started. Now you have no excuse to get out there and enjoy the outdoors.

See you on the water.

-Tight Lines

This entry was posted on Thursday, June 2nd, 2011 at 8:04 pm. It is filed under Angler's Corner. You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS 2.0 feed.