Is it against the law in Ontario to catch minnows?
It’s true. Only Ontario residents with a valid sport-fishing licence are allowed to catch baitfish and leeches. And since these catches are intended for the angler’s personal use, the numbers are restricted to 120 baitfish (including common fishing minnows and crayfish) and 120 leeches.
The restrictions are part of a broader package of regulations that addresses concerns about native fish and bait populations. A number of species are under severe pressure from overfishing and habitat loss, as well as invasion by exotic species, such as the round goby and the rusty crayfish.
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