Fisheries Management Zone (FMZ) 15 covers the heart of central Ontario, from Georgian Bay in the west to the Ottawa River in the east and includes towns like Parry Sound, Huntsville, Haliburton, Bancroft and Petawawa. I’ve enjoyed fishing much of it. Although, to do it properly would take a lifetime. A draft fisheries management plan (DFMP) for FMZ 15 was posted for public comment in fall 2022, but to date, there’s been no movement. Interestingly, at the same time, a DFMP posted for FMZ 10 was fully implemented in 2024. Why the difference? The MNR has proposed significant changes to lake trout regulations in FMZ 15, with a complete ban on ice fishing for lakers on lakes smaller than 500 hectares, or roughly 700 soccer pitches. On larger lakes, the ice-fishing season would be shortened, with a one-line restriction. The proposed changes would also affect the open-water season, which would begin later and close earlier. It would also include the introduction of two minimum size limits for lake trout. “While most anglers prioritize conservation and may understand or support some additional measures if they help protect lake trout populations in the long run,” OFAH Fisheries Biologist Adam Weir said, “implementing all these changes at once is likely to provoke a negative reaction. It’s no surprise that the angling community is pushing back.” The MNR recently commented that the plan for FMZ 15 was gathered through public and stakeholder feedback, online engagement, and virtual information sessions. At this time, the earliest the plan could be implemented would be 2027. That’s the MNR’s goal, but there has been no official confirmation yet. Fisheries management involves managing social and biological factors. Moving forward with a select few proposals, rather than trying to implement everything at once, could have led to greater progress. We’ll see what 2027 brings. Keep an eye on our News section in print and online for updates to this and other outdoors issues. Your thoughts What are your thoughts on these proposed changes? Email me in 150 words or less, and we’ll run some responses in the next issue. Originally published in the Jan.-Dec. 2026 issue of Ontario Out of Doors Click here for more outdoors news Check out a gated Q&A with OOD Editor/Associate Publisher Ray Blades and OFAH Fisheries Biologist Adam Weir on OFAH Stream here
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