Muddy York Zone 12 fishing regulations (FMZ 12)
American eel is a specially protected species and may not be caught or possessed under a recreational fishing licence.
The following species are not present in this Zone and are closed to fishing all year:Pacific salmon
FMZ 12 is the Ottawa River. Baitfish and leeches that are both dead and preserved can be transported into and out of BMZs and the Ottawa River.
Zone-wide seasons and limits in FMZ 12
These apply to every water in the zone unless a species exception, waterbody exception or sanctuary below says otherwise. "S" is the sport fishing licence limit and "C" the conservation licence limit.
| Species | Season | Limits | Today |
|---|---|---|---|
| Aggregate limits for trout and salmon (including splake) | See the official summary | S-5 and C-2; total daily catch and possession limit for all trout and salmon species combined | See limits |
| Atlantic salmon | Friday before fourth Saturday in April to September 30 Apr 24 – Sep 30 in 2026 |
S-1 and C-0 | Closed today |
| Brook trout | Friday before fourth Saturday in April to September 30 Apr 24 – Sep 30 in 2026 |
S-5 and C-2 | Closed today |
| Brown trout and rainbow trout | Friday before fourth Saturday in April to September 30 Apr 24 – Sep 30 in 2026 |
S-5 and C-2 | Closed today |
| Channel catfish | open all year | S-12 and C-6 | Open today |
| Crappie | open all year | S-30 and C-10 | Open today |
| Lake sturgeon | closed all year | Closed today | |
| Lake trout and splake | Friday before fourth Saturday in April to September 30 Apr 24 – Sep 30 in 2026 |
S-2 and C-1; must be greater than 45 centimetres | Closed today |
| Lake whitefish | open all year | S-12 and C-6 | Open today |
| Largemouth and smallmouth bass combined | Friday before fourth Saturday in June to November 30 Jun 26 – Nov 30 in 2026 |
S-6 and C-2 | Open today |
| Muskellunge | Friday before third Saturday in June to December 15 Jun 19 – Dec 15 in 2026 |
S-1; must be greater than 137 centimetres, and C-0 | Open today |
| Northern pike | January 1 to March 31 and Friday before third Saturday in May to December 31 Jan 1 – Mar 31, May 15 – Dec 31 in 2026 |
S-6 and C-2 | Open today |
| Sunfish | open all year | no limit | Open today |
| Walleye and sauger combined | January 1 to March 31 and Friday before third Saturday in May to December 31 Jan 1 – Mar 31, May 15 – Dec 31 in 2026 |
S-5 and C-2; must be less than 40 centimetres from March 1 to June 15 | Open today |
| Yellow perch | open all year | S-50 and C-25 | Open today |
Source: Ontario Fishing Regulations Summary, Zone 12 on ontario.ca. The summary is Ontario's guide to the regulations made under the Fisheries Act.
Know what's open before you drive
Muddy York Fishing shows the official season for every stretch of 30+ Southern Ontario rivers, with today's conditions and the fly to use.
Start your free 7-day trialSpecies exceptions in Zone 12
These waters have different seasons or limits for the species named. They override the zone-wide rules above.
American shad: open all year (1 water)
Limits: S-5 and C-2
Fish sanctuaries in Zone 12
No fishing is allowed in these places during the periods shown.
No fishing - March 1 to Thursday before third Saturday in May (1)
- Lac des Chats (Ottawa River), - Madawaska River and Mississippi River - including waters of the Madawaska River downstream from the Arnprior Generating Station, Ottawa River from Dochart Creek to the lighthouse (45°27′03″N, 76°21′02″W) and then east following the inter-provincial boundary to the south end of the CNR bridge at Lavergne Point (West Carleton Township), and the Mississippi River downstream from the Generating Station at the town of Galetta
No fishing - March 15 to June 15 (1)
- Lake Timiskaming (Ottawa River) - Harris Township, Sutton Bay
No fishing - April 1 to June 15 (1)
- Lac la Cave (Ottawa River) - from the Lake Timiskaming dam downstream to a line drawn due east from the southernmost point of land at the mouth of Fournier Creek in Poitras Township
No fishing - April 1 to Thursday before second Friday in May (1)
- Ottawa River - between the Quebec Carillon Power House and Pointe Fortune
No fishing - April 1 to Friday before third Saturday in May (5)
- Muskrat River - Renfrew County, from Highway 17 downstream through the City of Pembroke to its confluence with the Ottawa River
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Frequently asked
When does trout season open in Zone 12?
Zone-wide, brook trout season is Friday before fourth Saturday in April to September 30 (Apr 24 – Sep 30 in 2026). Some rivers have species exceptions or sanctuaries listed on this page that change this.
Can I fish in Zone 12 right now?
The table above shows which species are open today under the zone-wide seasons. A specific river or lake may differ, so check its species exceptions, waterbody exceptions and sanctuaries below before you go.
Do I need a fishing licence in Ontario?
Most anglers need an Outdoors Card and a valid fishing licence (sport or conservation). Some people are exempt, such as Ontario residents under 18 or 65 and over. Check the official licensing rules for your situation.
How do I know if a river is in Zone 12?
Ontario's Fisheries Management Zones are mapped on Fish ON-Line and in the official summary. River mouths on the Great Lakes are often in a different zone from the rest of the river.
All Ontario fishing zones → · Southern Ontario river guides → · Ontario salmon run →