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Establishing four Bait Management Zones (BMZs) to limit the movement of baitfish and leeches in Ontario.
Restricting the transportation of baitfish or leeches, whether live or dead, into or out of a BMZ with some limited exceptions.
Anglers fishing outside their home BMZ must purchase baitfish and leeches locally, retain a receipt and use or dispose of their bait within two weeks from when they were purchased.
Harvesting of baitfish and leeches by anglers may only occur in their home BMZ.
I was just reading up on the new rules. Something that concerned/confused me was about transporting minnows home from adjacent sections of the Ottawa River. We in Ottawa and surrounding area are in the Southern BMZ, and we are allowed to bring minnows with us onto the Ottawa River to, say ice fish. However, if I am reading things correctly, we can't take them home alive or keep them for next time on the Ottawa or anywhere else. If anyone can clarify this, I would appreciate it.
Some exceptions apply for Great Lakes and Ottawa River, including:
anglers are permitted to move baitfish and leeches into an adjacent Great Lake or portion of the Ottawa River
anglers can only move baitfish and leeches into an adjacent BMZ from the Great Lakes or portion of the Ottawa River for the purposes of immediately disposing of them more than 30 metres from the water
FMZ 12 the Ottawa River. Baitfish and leeches from adjacent Bait Management Zones (BMZ) are permitted, but can only be moved out of the Ottawa River to be disposed of immediately more than 30 metres from the water. See bait for more details.
So we can bring bait from 18 to the river and take home since it originated in 18 but keep your receipt to show origin. Most fish I catch are bait-sized so I have to be careful taking them off the river
Prairieboy wrote: ↑Sat Jan 01, 2022 2:13 pm
In the new regs under FMZ12:
FMZ 12 the Ottawa River. Baitfish and leeches from adjacent Bait Management Zones (BMZ) are permitted, but can only be moved out of the Ottawa River to be disposed of immediately more than 30 metres from the water. See bait for more details.
So we can bring bait from 18 to the river and take home since it originated in 18 but keep your receipt to show origin. Most fish I catch are bait-sized so I have to be careful taking them off the river
Buy bait in Zone 18 use in Ottawa River (Zone 12) and bring leftover bait home. I am not an expect but based on the new regulations I would say that sounds okay. I hope so as I often have leftover bait.
