Muddy York Zone 20 fishing regulations (FMZ 20)
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:brook trout
FMZ 20, with the exception of the County of Prince Edward, is part of the Great Lakes. Baitfish and leeches that are both dead and preserved can be transported into and out of BMZs and the Great Lakes.
Zone-wide seasons and limits in FMZ 20
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 | open all year | S-1; must be greater than 63 centimetres, and C-0 | Open today |
| Largemouth bass | third Saturday in June to December 31 Jun 20 – Dec 31 in 2026 |
S-0 and C-0 | Open today |
| Smallmouth bass | first Saturday in July to December 31 Jul 4 – Dec 31 in 2026 |
S-0 and C-0 | Open today |
| Brown trout | open all year | S-5 and C-2 | Open 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 | January 1 to September 30 and December 1 to December 31 Jan 1 – Sep 30, Dec 1 – Dec 31 in 2026 |
S-3 and C-1 | Closed today |
| Lake whitefish | open all year | S-12 and C-6 | Open today |
| Muskellunge | third Saturday in June to December 15 Jun 20 – 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 first Saturday in May to December 31 Jan 1 – Mar 31, May 2 – Dec 31 in 2026 |
S-6 and C-2 | Open today |
| Pacific salmon | open all year | S-5 and C-2 | Open today |
| Rainbow trout | open all year | S-2 and C-1 | Open today |
| Sunfish | open all year | S-100 and C-50 | Open today |
| Walleye and sauger combined | January 1 to March 1 and first Saturday in May to December 31 Jan 1 – Mar 1, May 2 – Dec 31 in 2026 |
S-4 and C-2; not more than 1 greater than 63 centimetres | Open today |
| Yellow perch | open all year | S-50 and C-25 | Open today |
Source: Ontario Fishing Regulations Summary, Zone 20 on ontario.ca. The summary is Ontario's guide to the regulations made under the Fisheries Act.
Rivers we cover in Zone 20
Each river guide shows the official season for every stretch and whether it's open today.
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 20
These waters have different seasons or limits for the species named. They override the zone-wide rules above.
Walleye: see official entry (1 water)
Limits: S-4 and C-2; no size limit
Yellow perch: open from January 1 to March 31 and second Saturday in May to December 31 (1 water)
Waterbody exceptions in Zone 20
Lakes and rivers with their own rules, in the official wording.
All waters of
- Two lines may be used when angling from a boat in open water, excluding:Hamilton Harbour
- Toronto Harbour
- Frenchman’s Bay
- Murray Canal
- Presqu’ile Bay
- Weller’s Bay
- East Lake
- West Lake
- Bay of Quinte (the waters lying west of the Glenora Ferry)
- St. Lawrence River (waters lying east of a line drawn between Bishops Point and the easternmost tips of Howe and Wolfe islands)
- all other tributaries to Lake Ontario
Fish sanctuaries in Zone 20
No fishing is allowed in these places during the periods shown.
No fishing - April 1 to Friday before first Saturday in May (9)
- Consecon Creek - Hillier and Ameliasburgh Townships, from the dam in the Village of Consecon to Weller’s Bay
- Consecon Creek - Hillier Township, from Lot 86 in Concession 5 to the mouth of the creek
- Moira River and Bay of Quinte - from the Lott Dam downstream, including Belleville Harbour in the Bay of Quinte
- Napanee River - Town of Napanee, from the waterfalls at Springside Park downstream to the bridge at Centre Street
- Trent River - City of Quinte West, between the first dam north of Lake Ontario downstream to the south side of the Dundas Street bridge and the Trent Canal from Lock Number 1 downstream to where it joins the Trent River
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Frequently asked
When does trout season open in Zone 20?
Zone-wide, brown trout season is open all year. Some rivers have species exceptions or sanctuaries listed on this page that change this.
Can I fish in Zone 20 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 20?
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 →