Fishing

French River fishing, a Provincial Waterway Park, is our number one attraction and has been enjoyed for over 60 years. French River has vast fishing opportunities for pleasure boaters or outdoor enthusiasts. The best way to describe the French River is an 80 mile long series of island dotted lakes connected by rapids and falls that gently lower the river a total of 60 feet from Lake Nipissing to Georgian bay. Other than fast moving water, there are fishing areas that include weedy bays, coves, flats, and mid-river shoals. A fisherman’s dream and a photographer’s paradise.

Click on a photo below to see our fish species.

The Ministry of Natural Resources and Forestry have worked with biologists out of Sudbury and conducted fishing studies on the French River for many years. In 1994, fish slot limits were implemented in the French River and Georgian Bay areas. Over the years the increase in numbers of fish has been significant through catch and release of breeding fish and through the reduction in fish limits. These conservation efforts proved successful by increasing the quality of fishing for anglers in the French River for years to come.

Recreation Fishing License Information

You will need one of the following:

Sport Fishing License – For anglers who want full catch and possession fishing privileges. In the following summary, S refers to limits user Sport Fishing License
Conservation Fishing License – A reduced catch and possession limit license tag that is ideal for angers who want to live-release the majority of fish caught. Under this tag, anglers must immediately release Muskie. In this summary, C refers to limits under Conservation Fishing license.

A current Outdoor Card or Temporary Outdoor card is with your Fishing License required to fish in Ontario’s waters. The Outdoor card is valid for three calendar years.

Fishing Zones

The French River encompasses 2 fishing zones which have been harmonized as of 2024.

Zone 10 is all fishing areas West of Highway 69
Zone 11 is all fishing areas East of Highway 69

Click to view Open Seasons & Limits

Open Seasons

Fish Species	Dates
Walleye	January 1 to the 3rd Sunday in March. Then, 3rd Saturday of May to December 31, 2024.
Largemouth & Smallmouth Bass	Zone 10 – 3rd Saturday of May to December 31, 2024. Zone 11 – 3rd Saturday of May to December 31, 2024.
Northern Pike	Open all year.
Muskellunge	Zone 10 – 3rd Saturday in June to December 15, 2024. Zone 11 – 3rd Saturday in June to December 15, 2024.
Perch, Crappie, Sunfish, Whitefish, Channel Catfish	Open all year.

Limits

Fish Species	Sports Licence	Conservation Licence	Limits
Walleye	4	2	None between 43-60 cm (16.93 – 23.62 in.) Not more than 1 greater than 60 cm (23.62 in.)
Largemouth & Smallmouth Bass	4	2	No size limits
Northern Pike	4	2	Allowed 1 greater than 61 cm (24.02 in.) on a Sports License Not more than 1 greater than 86 cm (33.86 in.) Conservation License, none greater than 61 cm (24.02 in.)
Muskellunge	1	0	Muskellunge must be greater than 137 cm (53.94 in)
Perch	50	25	No size limits
Crappie	30	10	No size limits
Sunfish	50	25	No size limits
Catfish, Whitefish	12	6	No size limits

Ministry of Natural Resources
Fishing Regulation is available online here: Ontario Fishing Regulations

French River Resorts Association
R.R. #1
Alban, Ontario, Canada
POM 1A0