Ask a CO: Can a friend help deploy my fishing gear?

Q: If I’m trolling with one line, can somebody without a fishing licence help deploy the gear? I have a fishing licence but want to know if a friend without one can assist in any way. Taco Den Haas, Markham A: Under the Fisheries Act, fishing means fishing for, catching or attempting to catch fish by any method and angling is defined in the Ontario Fishery Regulations, 2007 as fishing with a line that is held in the hand or attached to a rod that is held in the hand or closely attended. Technically, someone who is helping to deploy the gear that you are using for trolling in the canoe might be considered to be fishing or angling, and therefore would require a licence to fish. However, the level of involvement by the helper may affect this interpretation in field situations. Answer by: David Critchlow and Brenda Koenig, Provincial Enforcement Specialists, MNR Please check the most recent Ontario hunting and fishing regulations summaries, as rules and regulations can change Send your questions by clicking here Originally published in the Nov.-Dec. 2024 issue of Ontario OUT of DOORS For more fishing, click here Click here for more outdoors news Watch on-demand videos anytime on OFAH Stream