Muddy York Zone 3 fishing regulations (FMZ 3)
The following species are not present in this Zone and are closed to fishing all year:Atlantic salmon
FMZ 3 is part of the Northeast Bait Management Zone (BMZ). Live or dead baitfish or leeches may not be transported into or out of a BMZ. These rules do not apply to baitfish and leeches which are both dead and preserved. Refer to bait for more details.
Zone-wide seasons and limits in FMZ 3
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 |
| Brook trout | January 1 to September 15 Jan 1 – Sep 15 in 2026 |
S-5 and C-2 | Closed today |
| Lake sturgeon | January 1 to April 15 and July 1 to December 31 Jan 1 – Apr 15, Jul 1 – Dec 31 in 2026 |
S-0 and C-0 | Open today |
| Lake trout | January 1 to September 30 Jan 1 – Sep 30 in 2026 |
S-3 and C-1 | Closed today |
| Lake whitefish | open all year | S-12 and C-6 | Open today |
| Largemouth and smallmouth bass combined | open all year | S-6 and C-2 | Open today |
| Northern pike | open all year | S-6; not more than 2 greater than 61 centimetres, of which not more than one greater than 86 centimetres, and C-2; not more than one greater than 61 centimetres, none greater than 86 centimetres | Open today |
| Splake | open all year | S-5 and C-2 | Open today |
| Sunfish | open all year | S-50 and C-25 | Open today |
| Walleye and sauger combined | January 1 to April 14 and third Saturday in May to December 31 Jan 1 – Apr 14, May 16 – Dec 31 in 2026 |
S-4 and C-2; not more than one greater than 46 centimetres | Open today |
| Yellow perch | open all year | S-50 and C-25 | Open today |
Source: Ontario Fishing Regulations Summary, Zone 3 on ontario.ca. The summary is Ontario's guide to the regulations made under the Fisheries Act.
Know what's open before you drive
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Start your free 7-day trialSpecies exceptions in Zone 3
These waters have different seasons or limits for the species named. They override the zone-wide rules above.
Brook trout: open all year (2 waters)
Lake trout: open all year (1 water)
Fish sanctuaries in Zone 3
No fishing is allowed in these places during the periods shown.
No fishing - from April 1 to June 15 (11)
- French Creek - Hanlan Township, from its outflow at French Lake to the area between Hanlan and Wolverine lakes from Lot 13, Concession 10 to Lot 16, Concession 11 (known locally as Hanlan Narrows) and Ryland Creek from its outflow at French Lake to its intersection with the Concession 7 road
- Fushimi Lake, Valentine River and Hanlan Lake – The embayment of Fushimi Lake northeast of the narrows (49°49'44"N, 83°52'20"W), the Valentine River, and the northwest embayment of Hanlan Lake at the mouth of the Valentine River (49°50'39"N, 83°49'49"W)
- Holland Lake and Holland Creek - Stoddart Township
- Pivabiska River - lying between its outflow from Pivabiska Lake in Lot 28, Concession 12 (Casgrain Township) downstream to the point where it intersects 49°52′N (Ritchie Township)
- Sainte Therese Creek - from its mouth at Lac Sainte Therese upstream to the point where it crosses the south boundary of Lot 26, Concession 7 (Casgrain Township) and the unnamed tributary lying between Sainte Therese Creek and Highway 583 in Lots 25 and 26, Concession 8
- Stoddart Creek - Stoddart Township, between Stoddart Lake and the Valentine River
- Valentine River - from Wolverine Lake to Pivabiska Lake
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Frequently asked
When does trout season open in Zone 3?
Zone-wide, brook trout season is January 1 to September 15 (Jan 1 – Sep 15 in 2026). Some rivers have species exceptions or sanctuaries listed on this page that change this.
Can I fish in Zone 3 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 3?
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 →