Zone 16 Exceptions, Lake Simcoe

Question. Daily limit for whitefish on a sport licence is 2. Is that a daily limit or a total possession limit? I only ask because it doesn't specify between the 2 as it does with perch, and I'm going on a 24h day in a couple weeks. Didn't know if I can catch 2 before midnight and 2 after or just 2 in my bag period.

Anybody able to clear that up?

Hi Dave, the daily limit is 2, and your possession limit is 2. If you have 2 in the freezer, you have your total limit/possession.

fishbrain_ jr is correct Dave. If you already have 2 in your freezer your at your limit... I asked a MNR officer and that's what he said as well....

I believe that if it doesn't specifically state possession limit then your daily catch is the same as possession limit.

Correct:

"Catch and Possession Limits – The catch limit is the number of fish you
are allowed to catch and keep in one day and includes fish that are not
immediately released and any fish eaten or given away. The possession
limit is the number you are allowed to have in your possession on hand,
in cold storage, in transit, or anywhere. Possession limits are the same
as one day’s catch limit except where otherwise specified. "

Get eating if you want to keep more the next day!

Great thanks for clearing that up. I figured it was total possession limit unless otherwise stated, but wanted to make sure. Appreciate the help fellas!

Correct:

"Catch and Possession Limits – The catch limit is the number of fish you
are allowed to catch and keep in one day and includes fish that are not
immediately released and any fish eaten or given away. The possession
limit is the number you are allowed to have in your possession on hand,
in cold storage, in transit, or anywhere. Possession limits are the same
as one day’s catch limit except where otherwise specified. "

Get eating if you want to keep more the next day!

That is great info. I thought thats what the rule was but couldnt remember the exact verbage. Explains the other guys situation who ate a fish on the ice.

What if the provincial possession limit is different though? (This is from the 2018 regs)

Solid question bc.

Not quite sure, but I think that means 25 max, so if you fish simcoe, catch 2, that’s your possession for simcoe. You could fish other lakes and zones to get a total of 25, but can’t keep 25 from simcoe. That’s my understanding atleast

Not quite sure, but I think that means 25 max, so if you fish simcoe, catch 2, that’s your possession for simcoe. You could fish other lakes and zones to get a total of 25, but can’t keep 25 from simcoe. That’s my understanding atleast

For me I'm just curious because I just started targeting white fish at the end of last season so I just want to know how much I can put in my freezer, I know my daily is two on simcoe but I would find it weird to only have two from Simcoe in my freezer from over the season. Also how does MNR identify a lake whitefish from Simco anyway I know we have to keep a patch of skin on the fillet but how do you really tell from the fillet if it's from Simcoe or lake of bays or any stocked lake in Ontario.

BC34,
The General Fishing Regulations contains a section for "Ontario's Provincial Possession Limits" which is likely the source for your partial chart excerpt showing a possession limit of 25 whitefish.
This section (above the chart you've copied) clearly states " Always check the regulations for the zone in which you are fishing to ensure that you aren't exceeding the catch and possession limit for that zone". Lake Simcoe is part of Zone 16 which shows that 12 whitefish can be kept with a sportfishing licence and 6 with a Conservation licence. However, almost all of the 20 zones have exceptions to the zone limits!! So, carefully search for Lake Simcoe exceptions (found under Lake Simcoe, not Simcoe as might be expected) and you will see that you are legally allowed 2 whitefish with a Sportfishing licence and 1 with a conservation licence.
Sort of confusing but really not too bad if you limit your fishing to one or two lakes. Hopefully this helps and doesn't just muddle everything for you.

I'm sure they can tell with reasonably good accuracy which body of water the fish inhabited. They did the same for fish X caught in lake X and tried to enter it in a derby held at lake Z. I'm not going to be the guinea pig for that one.

This is the what he is referreing to.


So you can legally have 2 from simcoe,10 more from zone 16, and the rest from other zones...if you really are that dedicated to filling your freezer. Enforcement is very difficult im sure.

Grandpa_Jim is correct, I read the regs after as well.

Hopefully no one misreads and therefore over harvests their possession limit due to the “misleading” (to some) information in the exceptions.

At the end of the day it’s all of our responsibilities to read and understand the regulations. When in doubt, do like bc34 and ask.

Good addition to the thread bc34…