 Summer is over, but there’s still plenty of time to enjoy the great outdoors! Before you head out for your next adventure, we’d like to thank you for subscribing to the Ministry of Natural Resources (MNR) Fish and Wildlife News. You are receiving this newsletter because you have opted in to receive fish and wildlife communications and marketing updates in your fish and wildlife account. Remember to check the bottom of this email for important dates and reporting deadlines!  It’s been a fantastic summer on the water! Follow us on Facebook and Instagram to check out some of the anglers featured in our #MyONFish campaign this year. Read a few of our recent Facebook stories through the images above. Enjoy the inspiration and join the community by sharing your own fishing adventures! For a chance to be featured in #MyONFish or #MyONHunt, please send us your photos and a brief description of your experience by emailing us at FWmarketing@ontario.ca.  You could win a 2024 Can-Am Outlander PRO Hunting Edition ATV! Information provided by hunters is important for managing wildlife in Ontario. To encourage Ontario hunters to submit their hunter reports by the required deadlines, the Ministry of Natural Resources (MNR) has teamed up with Can-Am for an exciting chance to win a brand-new ATV. The full package, provided by Can-Am, is worth over $18,000 and includes a 2024 Can-Am Outlander PRO Hunting Edition with the HD7 engine and some great hunting accessories including a hunt bundle package. Ontario resident hunters over the age of 18 who have submitted a 2024 hunter report to the ministry by the required deadline are eligible to enter. Hunters may submit one sweepstakes entry for every 2024 hunter report submitted. If you submitted a hunter report for this year’s spring hunt (e.g., turkey), you can enter the sweepstakes right away! Enter the sweepstakes Thank you for supporting Ontario’s wildlife management efforts and good luck! Disclaimer: MNR is not responsible for the accessibility of non-MNR web properties that may be linked here. This contest is sponsored by Bombardier Recreational Products Inc. (BRP) and its affiliates. The Contest, including entry, prizes and all other matters, is subject to the terms and consideration set out in the Contest Rules as published on the Contest website. BRP and Can-Am trademarks are the property of Bombardier Recreational Products Inc. or its affiliates. All rights reserved.  Students from the Kendomang Zhagodenamnon Lodge (KZ Lodge) program at Hammarskjold High School in Thunder Bay spent a day with Fish and Wildlife Program staff. The students assisted with stocking Brook Trout in Chub Lake. By assisting with stocking fish, the students learned about the environment and supported recreational fishing in the region. These activities show how important it is for the community to be involved in conservation efforts, making sure our aquatic ecosystems have a future. MNR’s fish culture program operates 9 fish culture stations across the province and helps recreational fishing by providing opportunities to catch popular sport fish. Read the full story. Find more information on fish stocking.  There’s nothing better than spending a day on the water and sharing a picture of your catch, big or small! When practicing catch-and-release, it’s important to handle fish with care to ensure their survival after their release. This is particularly important when taking photos, which can often lead to extended periods of air exposure. Here are some guidelines to help you capture that perfect shot while keeping the fish’s health a priority: Prolonged air exposure can be harmful, even fatal. Keep the fish submerged as much as possible, and only lift it for a brief photo. Ensure your camera or phone is ready to go before you bring the fish out of the water. Improper handling can cause injury. Avoid touching the gills or eyes, as these are particularly sensitive areas. For larger, heavier fish, do not hold them by the jaw alone. This can dislocate the jaw, making it difficult for the fish to feed afterward. Instead, support the body horizontally, cradling the fish with both hands if necessary. Before handling the fish, wet your hands or wear wet cloth gloves. This helps to reduce the removal of the fish’s protective slime coat. The slime coat is essential for the fish’s health, as it protects against infections and helps with swimming. By following these best practices, you can enjoy the sport of fishing and share your experiences through photos without compromising the health of the fish. Learn more information about catch and release best practices such as landing techniques and recommended gear.  Scott is a dedicated summer student with Ontario’s Learn to Fish program and has worked with the MNR for 2 summers. Here’s what Scott had to say about his experience working with MNR: “I had an amazing summer last year with Learn to Fish as I greatly enjoyed helping participants catch what is often their first fish! This made the decision to reapply for the 2024 season a very easy one as I loved being near the water and seeing this program in action!” Over his time with Learn to Fish, Scott has gained various skills, including: problem-solving: “unexpected weather events tested how well I can react to unexpected variables and situations.” presentation and adaptation: “I’ve refined my ability to present and tailor the program to different age groups.” He has also made many great memories along the way! “One memorable moment was the very last program I ran in 2023. A participant who had never caught a fish or held a rod landed a massive smallmouth bass. That fish was the largest catch I have ever personally seen and was an amazing note to end last year and hook me back for another season!” Interested in becoming a summer student for the ministry? Do you or someone you know want to join the MNR as a summer student in 2025? Jobs will be posted as early as December 2024 for the 2025 summer season, watch the job board for updates. Don’t miss this chance to develop new skills and gain experience! Find year-round job opportunities on the job board.  Our Learn to Fish team has teamed up with Rapala, to create the all-in-one Learn to Fish bundle! Whether you’re a beginner or looking to upgrade your gear, the Rapala bundle includes everything you need to get out fishing. What’s included: 13 Fishing CLX 2 piece rod and reel Combo Rapala Rippin’ Rap 06 lure Rapala Husky Jerk 08 lure Rapala Plier/Scissor Combo VMC Buck Tail Jig 1/8 oz. Rapala CrushCity The Suspect 2.75″ – Neon Pearl (soft plastic bait) Sufix Siege 8 Pound fishing line Get out on the water, gear up with the best, and start making memories! A portion of the proceeds supports Ontario’s fish and wildlife management programs, including population monitoring, fish stocking, and regulation enforcement. Your purchase helps preserve the future of our fishing heritage. Discover the bundle.  We need your help! Submit a sample, stay informed and help protect Ontario’s cervid populations. Chronic Wasting Disease (CWD) is a fatal and untreatable disease affecting cervids, such as white-tailed deer, moose and elk. While CWD has not been detected in Ontario wildlife, it has spread to over 35 U.S. states and 5 Canadian provinces (Alberta, British Columbia, Manitoba, Québec, and Saskatchewan). Hunters can help prevent the introduction of CWD to Ontario by using plant-based or synthetic lures, using locally sourced bait, and avoiding bringing back high-risk parts from out-of-province hunts. The ministry will conduct its annual CWD surveillance program throughout 2024. This program is essential for monitoring cervid populations, assessing their health, and ensuring early detection of CWD. We have identified two target regions in Ontario for comprehensive CWD surveillance in 2024:  Zone 2 (Owen Sound – Orangeville – Kincardine) WMUs 81A, 81B, 82A, 82B, 82C, 84, 85B  Zone 1 (Peterborough – Belleville) WMUs 68A, 71, 74A, 74B  By submitting deer samples and following preventive measures, hunters play an important role in protecting Ontario’s cervid populations from CWD. Thank you for your cooperation and commitment to wildlife conservation. The first 500 hunters in each zone to submit a sample receive a collectable crest. For more information on this program or to submit a sample from one of the sampling areas, please call the ministry wildlife health information line for chronic wasting disease at 1-888-574-6656. Discover how you can help prevent CWD and stay tuned for the 2024 testing and freezer locations to be posted this fall before the gun hunt opens.  Learn about sustainable casting with Andy Todd, the manager at the Lake Ontario Management unit from the Ministry of Natural Resources, on the Outdoor Journal Radio’s Diaries of a Lodge Owner podcast. The Diaries of a Lodge Owner podcast, hosted by Steve Niedzwiecki, shares the fascinating journey of a former sheet metal mechanic who transformed a rundown Canadian fishing lodge into a renowned destination. Each episode delves into a mix of personal stories, challenges, and successes from Steve’s time as a lodge owner, along with interviews featuring a diverse array of guests. In Episode 40 titled; “Sustainable Casting: Lake Ontario’s Strategy,” the discussion centers around the ongoing efforts to maintain and improve the sustainability of Lake Ontario’s fisheries. The episode highlights various strategies being implemented to protect the lake’s ecosystem while supporting recreational fishing. This episode offers valuable insights for anyone interested in the intersection of sustainability and fishing on Lake Ontario. Listen to the full episode.  Hunting Seasons Turkey, bear, moose, elk, deer and small game seasons are opening this fall. Check the hunting regulations for your wildlife management unit. Reporting Deadlines Elk – October 13 Fall Wild turkey – November 14 Non-resident moose hunter report for tourist outfitters – November 22 Other Wild turkey tags – Available now For real time updates, to locate specific fires and check Restricted Fire Zones in your area, visit Ontario’s Interactive Fire Map. Make sure you have the courses and credentials you need to hunt in Ontario.  Reach 1 million+ anglers and hunters in Ontario! If you are interested in advertising in our hunting or fishing regulations or exploring other advertising opportunities, please contact us at FWMarketing@ontario.ca. Fish and Wildlife Services Branch Ministry of Natural Resources 300 Water Street Peterborough, Ontario K9J 3C7. For help with your Outdoors Card and licence questions, please call: 1-800-387-7011 (TTY) 1-866-686-6072 For general inquiries about MNR programs and services please use this email address: NRISC@ontario.ca |
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Ontario Ministry of Natural Resources – Fish and Wildlife News
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