Fishing regulations, limits and seasons for the chain of lakes known as the Chapleau River
Below are the fishing regulations that pertain to The Chapleau Chain of Lakes that we fish from our cabins. You can also see the complete Ontario fishing regulations and other publications at the Ontario government natural resources site.
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Northern Pike
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open all year
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Walleyes
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third Saturday in May to April 14th
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Yellow Perch
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Open all year
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Smallmouth Bass
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open all year
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Brooktrout
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January 1st to Labour Day
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Whitefish
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Open all year
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Limits of Catch & Possession
New for 2008. The limit for perch is now 50 per person (25 with a conservation licence). Note also the shorter season for brooktrout.
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The slot size has been eliminated. The possession limit is 4 with a normal licence or 2 with a conservation licence. Only 1 may be longer than 46 cm (18.1 inches).
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Northern Pike
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With a normal licence, the possession limit is 6 pike. Only 2 of the 6 may be longer than 61 cm (24 inches). Of those 2, only 1 may be longer than 86 cm (33.9 inches).
With a conservation licence, the possession limit is 2 pike. Not more than 1 may be over 61 cm (24 inches). None longer than 86 cm (33.9 inches).
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Yellow Perch
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With a regular licence the limit is 50. With a conservation licence 25. No size limit.
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Small Mouth Bass
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With a normal licence, the possession limit is 6.
With a conservation licence, the possession limit is 2. No size limit.
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Brooktrout
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5 in one day. Not more than 2 longer than 30 cm (11.8 in) of which not more than 1 may be longer than 40 cm (15.8 in). With a conservation licence the limit is 2 of which not more than 1 may be longer than 30 cm (11.8 in) and none longer than 40 cm (15.8 in). Aggregate rule of 5 trout of any kind applies.
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Whitefish
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25 in one day, 12 with a conservation licence. No size limit.
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Transporting Fish
If your party has more than one car or boat, never transport more fish in the vehicle than the number of persons travelling in it. This mistake can really cost you money.
You can fillet the walleyes and northerns that you want to take home. You can also fillet your catch when you come off the water, for example at lunch time or at the end of the day. The only time when you must leave your walleyes and northern pike intact is while you are still actively engaged with fishing.
You can fillet walleyes and northern pike in all of the instances listed below:
. . . when you prepare your fish for immediate consumption, even for a shore lunch;
. . . when you prepare your catch at an overnight accommodation for storage;
. . . when you transport your catch on the water from a temporary overnight accommodation to your primary residence and while you are not engaged in fishing while you are in transit. For example, you can have filleted fish if you slept out over night in a tent and are on your way back to your cabin, or if you are on your way from your cabin to your car, to head home. Just don't be fishing during that transit.
. . . when you transport your fish overland, as on your journey home.
Please remember to release immediately any fish that is not within the legal size range, even if the fish is injured and not likely to live. Therefore it is important to take great care when removing the lure from the fish.
Packaging Fish
A Conservation Officer needs to be able to count and identify the fish. Therefore, do not freeze them all in one lump. To package your fish, leave some skin on the fillets and pack the fillets side-by-side, not stacked on top of each other. That way your catch can
be identified and counted when a Conservation Officer checks you. Transparent bags are good for packing fish
because one can readily see what's inside. Do not freeze the fillets in water because the water will make it difficult or impossible to see or count the fillets.
You may never have more than one day's limit in your possession. If you buy a conservation licence, the limits are smaller.
If your party has more than one car or boat, never transport more fish in the vehicle than the number of persons travelling in it. This mistake can really cost you money.
Be careful. If you get checked by a conservation officer, he will
ask to see your fish. Next, he is likely to ask whether you have additional fish
in your cabin or in our freezer. He will then want to see those as well.
This will result in a fine if the total number of fish exceeds your legal
possession limit. Remember, "eaters" count as part of your possession
limit.
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