Muddy York Zone 9 fishing regulations (FMZ 9)
New As of Jan 1, 2026, the zone-wide minimum size limit for Muskellunge is 137 centimetres.
New Waterbody exception for walleye and sauger combined, and northern pike in Lake Superior, Black Bay
FMZ 9 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 9
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 and C-0 | Open today |
| Brook trout | fourth Saturday in April to Labour Day Apr 25 – Sep 7 in 2026 |
S-1; must be greater than 56 centimetres, and C-0 | Closed 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 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 |
| Muskellunge | third Saturday in June to December 15 Jun 20 – Dec 15 in 2026 |
S-1; New must be greater than 137 centimetres, and C-0 | Open today |
| Northern pike | open all year | S-4 and C-2; none between 70–90 centimetres, not more than 1 greater than 90 centimetres | Open today |
| Pacific salmon | open all year | S-5 and C-2 | Open today |
| Rainbow trout | open all year | S-1 and C-0 | Open today |
| Splake | January 1 to September 30 Jan 1 – Sep 30 in 2026 |
S-3 and C-1 | Closed 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-2 and C-1 | Open today |
| Yellow perch | open all year | S-25 and C-12 | Open today |
Source: Ontario Fishing Regulations Summary, Zone 9 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 9
These waters have different seasons or limits for the species named. They override the zone-wide rules above.
Rainbow trout: see official entry (1 water)
Limits: S-2 and C-1
Walleye and sauger: closed all year (1 water)
Walleye and sauger: open from January 1 to March 31 and July 1 to December 31 (1 water)
Waterbody exceptions in Zone 9
Lakes and rivers with their own rules, in the official wording.
All waters of
- Two lines may be used when trolling from a boat in open water
- New Lake Superior — Black Bay to the southern tip of the Black Bay Peninsula (48°24'35"N, 88°33'37"W) to Magnet Island, to Porphyry Island, to an unnamed point (48°20'28"N, 88°46'09"W) on the southeast side of Sibley Peninsula
- Northern pike — open all year
- Northern pike — S-2, not more than 1 greater than 70 centimetres, none greater than 90 centimetres, and C-1; none greater than 90 centimetres
- Walleye and sauger — open July 1 to December 31
- Walleye and sauger — S-2 and C-1; must be between 40–50 centimetres
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Frequently asked
When does trout season open in Zone 9?
Zone-wide, brook trout season is fourth Saturday in April to Labour Day (Apr 25 – Sep 7 in 2026). Some rivers have species exceptions or sanctuaries listed on this page that change this.
Can I fish in Zone 9 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 9?
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 →