Ice fishing in Zone 5 (FMZ 5), 2026–27
Fisheries Management Zone 5, with 2,687 lakes and rivers on our map. Through the 2026–27 ice season (December 1 to March 31), 11 of 14 species groups are open the whole time, 2 for part of it and 1 are closed. Walleye and sauger are open all ice season. Lake trout are open Jan 1 – Mar 31. Pike are open all ice season and perch open all ice season.
Ice huts
No registration needed
No fixed removal date; off before breakup
Bait
Northwest Bait Management Zone
Live or dead baitfish and leeches cannot be moved into or out of a Bait Management Zone (dead and preserved bait excepted).
Waters with their own rules
112 listed waters, 23 sanctuaries
71 of them carry a rule that matters in winter (listed below).
Open the full Ontario Crown land map
What you can fish through the ice in Zone 5
Zone-wide seasons and limits from the 2026 Ontario Fishing Regulations Summary, with the dates worked out for 2026–27. They apply to every lake in the zone except the waters listed further down.
| Species | 2026–27 ice season | Zone-wide season (as written) | Limits |
|---|---|---|---|
| Aggregate limits for trout and salmon (including splake) | — | Limit only | S-5 and C-2; total daily catch and possession limit for all trout and salmon species combined |
| Brook trout | Open all season | open all year | S-5 and C-2 |
| Brown trout | Open all season | open all year | S-5 and C-2 |
| Crappie | Open all season | open all year | S-10 and C-5 |
| Lake sturgeon | Closed | closed all year | |
| Lake trout |
Part of the season
Jan 1 – Mar 31 |
January 1 to September 30 | Ontario and Canadian residents S-2; not more than 1 greater than 56 centimetres from September 1 to September 30, and C-1; no size limit Non-Canadian residents Daily catch and retain limit: S-1 and C-1, no size limit Possession limit: S-2, not more than 1 greater than 56 centimetres from September 1 to September 30, and C-1, no size limit |
| Lake whitefish | Open all season | open all year | S-12 and C-6 |
| Largemouth and smallmouth bass combined | Open all season | open all year | S-4 and C-2; must be less than 35 centimetres from January 1 to June 30 |
| Muskellunge |
Part of the season
Dec 1 – Dec 15 |
third Saturday in June to December 15 | S-1; must be greater than 102 centimetres and C-0 |
| Northern pike | Open all season | open all year | S-4 and C-2; none greater than 75 centimetres |
| Rainbow trout | Open all season | open all year | S-5 and C-2 |
| Splake | Open all season | open all year | S-5 and C-2 |
| Sunfish | Open all season | open all year | S-50 and C-25 |
| Walleye and sauger combined | Open all season | January 1 to April 14 and third Saturday in May to December 31 | Ontario and Canadian residents S-4 and C-2; not more than 1 greater than 46 centimetres Non-Canadian residents Daily catch and retain limit: S-2 and C-2; not more than 1 greater than 46 centimetres Possession limit: S-4 and C-2; not more than 1 greater than 46 centimetres |
| Yellow perch | Open all season | open all year | S-50 and C-25 |
S = sport fishing licence, C = conservation fishing licence. A season "open all ice season" runs December 1 to March 31 without a break. The 2027 summary takes effect January 1, 2027 and can change dates for the rest of the winter; we refresh this page when it is published. Not present in this zone and closed all year: Atlantic salmon, Channel catfish, Pacific salmon.
Anglers who are not Canadian residents
- Conservation Fishing Licence limits must be followed when camping on Crown land in portions of Zone 5 (that is, within shaded area on map).
- The Zone-wide daily catch and retain limits and possession limits for walleye and sauger combined and lake trout is different for non-Canadian residents than for Ontario and Canadian residents.
- Non-Canadian residents shall not possess more fish on board the vessel they are angling from than the applicable daily limit for that species.
Ice huts and lines in Zone 5
- Zone 5 is one of the zones (1 to 8 and 13) where ice huts do not need to be registered.
- In every zone, huts must come off before the ice breaks up, whatever the date.
- You can fish with two lines through the ice in most waters, as long as you stay within 60 m of each line or tip-up and can see them all.
Surveyed lakes in Zone 5
Lakes in this zone with the most government fish survey records, the game fish recorded and the deepest contour on the provincial depth chart. Each page shows its own winter rules.
Waters in Zone 5 with their own winter rules
These waters are listed in the zone's exceptions with a rule that mentions the ice or the winter months, or that opens or closes them all year. The zone-wide table above does not apply to them where the rules overlap. Waters linked below have their own page on this site.
Lake trout
Season: closed all year
Centre for Northern Forest Ecosystem Research Lakes:Lake 20, Seahorse Lake
Waterbody exceptions
- Dinorwic Lake: Largemouth and smallmouth bass combined - S-2 and C-1; must be less than 35 centimetres from January 1 to June 30 and December 1 to December 31, S-4 and C-2; no size limit from July 1 to November 30
- Minnehaha Lake (included with dinorwic lake): Largemouth and smallmouth bass combined - S-2 and C-1; must be less than 35 centimetres from January 1 to June 30 and December 1 to December 31, S-4 and C-2; no size limit from July 1 to November 30
- Rock Lake (included with dinorwic lake): Largemouth and smallmouth bass combined - S-2 and C-1; must be less than 35 centimetres from January 1 to June 30 and December 1 to December 31, S-4 and C-2; no size limit from July 1 to November 30
- Turtlepond Lake (included with dinorwic lake): Largemouth and smallmouth bass combined - S-2 and C-1; must be less than 35 centimetres from January 1 to June 30 and December 1 to December 31, S-4 and C-2; no size limit from July 1 to November 30
- Dryberry Lake: Fish or fish parts may not be possessed or used as bait from January 1 to Friday before third Saturday in May; Only barbless hooks may be used from January 1 to Friday before third Saturday in May
- Northwest Bay (included with dryberry lake): Fish or fish parts may not be possessed or used as bait from January 1 to Friday before third Saturday in May; Only barbless hooks may be used from January 1 to Friday before third Saturday in May
- Point Bay (included with dryberry lake): Fish or fish parts may not be possessed or used as bait from January 1 to Friday before third Saturday in May; Only barbless hooks may be used from January 1 to Friday before third Saturday in May
- Point Lake (included with dryberry lake): Fish or fish parts may not be possessed or used as bait from January 1 to Friday before third Saturday in May; Only barbless hooks may be used from January 1 to Friday before third Saturday in May
- Eagle Lake: Largemouth and smallmouth bass combined - S-2 and C-1; must be less than 35 centimetres from January 1 to June 30 and December 1 to December 31, S-4 and C-2; no size limit from July 1 to November 30
- Kakagi Lake (Crow Lake): Largemouth and smallmouth bass - S-0 and C-0; from January 1 to June 30
- Lake of the Woods: Largemouth and smallmouth bass combined - S-0 and C-0; from January 1 to June 30
- Cul de Sac Lake (included with lake of the woods): Largemouth and smallmouth bass combined - S-0 and C-0; from January 1 to June 30
- Lake of the Woods: Possession and/or use of fish or fish parts as bait is prohibited from January 1 to Friday before third Saturday in May; Only barbless hooks may be used from January 1 to Friday before the third Saturday in May
- Whitefish Bay (included with lake of the woods): Possession and/or use of fish or fish parts as bait is prohibited from January 1 to Friday before third Saturday in May; Only barbless hooks may be used from January 1 to Friday before the third Saturday in May
- Regina (included with lake of the woods): Possession and/or use of fish or fish parts as bait is prohibited from January 1 to Friday before third Saturday in May; Only barbless hooks may be used from January 1 to Friday before the third Saturday in May
- Boot (included with lake of the woods): Possession and/or use of fish or fish parts as bait is prohibited from January 1 to Friday before third Saturday in May; Only barbless hooks may be used from January 1 to Friday before the third Saturday in May
- Ghost (included with lake of the woods): Possession and/or use of fish or fish parts as bait is prohibited from January 1 to Friday before third Saturday in May; Only barbless hooks may be used from January 1 to Friday before the third Saturday in May
- Brule (included with lake of the woods): Possession and/or use of fish or fish parts as bait is prohibited from January 1 to Friday before third Saturday in May; Only barbless hooks may be used from January 1 to Friday before the third Saturday in May
- Devils (included with lake of the woods): Possession and/or use of fish or fish parts as bait is prohibited from January 1 to Friday before third Saturday in May; Only barbless hooks may be used from January 1 to Friday before the third Saturday in May
- Atikaminike (included with lake of the woods): Possession and/or use of fish or fish parts as bait is prohibited from January 1 to Friday before third Saturday in May; Only barbless hooks may be used from January 1 to Friday before the third Saturday in May
- Camp (included with lake of the woods): Possession and/or use of fish or fish parts as bait is prohibited from January 1 to Friday before third Saturday in May; Only barbless hooks may be used from January 1 to Friday before the third Saturday in May
- Cloverleaf (included with lake of the woods): Possession and/or use of fish or fish parts as bait is prohibited from January 1 to Friday before third Saturday in May; Only barbless hooks may be used from January 1 to Friday before the third Saturday in May
- Log (included with lake of the woods): Possession and/or use of fish or fish parts as bait is prohibited from January 1 to Friday before third Saturday in May; Only barbless hooks may be used from January 1 to Friday before the third Saturday in May
- Reedy (included with lake of the woods): Possession and/or use of fish or fish parts as bait is prohibited from January 1 to Friday before third Saturday in May; Only barbless hooks may be used from January 1 to Friday before the third Saturday in May
- Willow (included with lake of the woods): Possession and/or use of fish or fish parts as bait is prohibited from January 1 to Friday before third Saturday in May; Only barbless hooks may be used from January 1 to Friday before the third Saturday in May
- Sammons bays (included with lake of the woods): Possession and/or use of fish or fish parts as bait is prohibited from January 1 to Friday before third Saturday in May; Only barbless hooks may be used from January 1 to Friday before the third Saturday in May
- Knickerbocker (included with lake of the woods): Possession and/or use of fish or fish parts as bait is prohibited from January 1 to Friday before third Saturday in May; Only barbless hooks may be used from January 1 to Friday before the third Saturday in May
- Louis (included with lake of the woods): Possession and/or use of fish or fish parts as bait is prohibited from January 1 to Friday before third Saturday in May; Only barbless hooks may be used from January 1 to Friday before the third Saturday in May
- Cross (included with lake of the woods): Possession and/or use of fish or fish parts as bait is prohibited from January 1 to Friday before third Saturday in May; Only barbless hooks may be used from January 1 to Friday before the third Saturday in May
- Alfred inlets (included with lake of the woods): Possession and/or use of fish or fish parts as bait is prohibited from January 1 to Friday before third Saturday in May; Only barbless hooks may be used from January 1 to Friday before the third Saturday in May
- Rainy Lake: Largemouth and smallmouth bass combined - S-2 and C-1; must be less than 35 centimetres from January 1 to June 30 and December 1 to December 31, S-4 and C-2; no size limit from July 1 to November 30
- Rainy Lake: Fish sanctuary - closed all year
- Rainy River: Largemouth and smallmouth bass combined - S-0 and C-0; from January 1 to June 30; Walleye and sauger combined: Ontario and Canadian residents: from January 1 to the last day in February and third Saturday in May to December 31 - S-4 and C-2; not more than 1 greater than 46 centimetres; Walleye and sauger combined: Ontario and Canadian residents: from March 1 to April 14 - S-2 and C-2; must be less than 46 centimetres; Walleye and sauger combined: Non-Canadian residents: season: January 1 to April 14 and third Saturday in May to December 31; Walleye and sauger combined: Non-Canadian residents: daily catch and retain from January 1 to the last day in February, and third Saturday in May to December 31: S-2 and C-2; not more than 1 greater than 46 centimetres; Walleye and sauger combined: Non-Canadian residents: daily catch and retain from March 1 to April 14: S-2 and C-2; must be less than 46 centimetres; Walleye and sauger combined: Non-Canadian residents: possession limit: January 1 to the last day in February and third Saturday in May to December 31 - S-4 and C-2; not more than 1 greater than 46 centimetres; Walleye and sauger combined: Non-Canadian residents: possession Limit: March 1 to April 14 - S-2 and C-2; must be less than 46 centimetres
- Rainy River: Largemouth and smallmouth bass combined - S-2 and C-1; must be less than 35 centimetres from January 1 to June 30 and December 1 to December 31, S-4 and C-2; no size limit from July 1 to November 30
- Seine River System: Largemouth and smallmouth bass combined - S-2 and C-1; must be less than 35 centimetres from January 1 to June 30 and December 1 to December 31, S-4 and C-2; no size limit from July 1 to November 30
- Grassy (included with seine river system): Largemouth and smallmouth bass combined - S-2 and C-1; must be less than 35 centimetres from January 1 to June 30 and December 1 to December 31, S-4 and C-2; no size limit from July 1 to November 30
- Wild Potato (included with seine river system): Largemouth and smallmouth bass combined - S-2 and C-1; must be less than 35 centimetres from January 1 to June 30 and December 1 to December 31, S-4 and C-2; no size limit from July 1 to November 30
- Partridge Crop Lakes (included with seine river system): Largemouth and smallmouth bass combined - S-2 and C-1; must be less than 35 centimetres from January 1 to June 30 and December 1 to December 31, S-4 and C-2; no size limit from July 1 to November 30
- Shoal Lake above Ash Rapids: Largemouth and smallmouth bass - S-0 and C-0; from January 1 to June 30; Walleye and sauger combined - closed all year
- Wabigoon Lake: Largemouth and smallmouth bass combined - S-2 and C-1; must be less than 35 centimetres from January 1 to June 30 and December 1 to December 31, S-4 and C-2; no size limit from July 1 to November 30
- Butler Lake (included with wabigoon lake): Largemouth and smallmouth bass combined - S-2 and C-1; must be less than 35 centimetres from January 1 to June 30 and December 1 to December 31, S-4 and C-2; no size limit from July 1 to November 30
- Larson Lake (included with wabigoon lake): Largemouth and smallmouth bass combined - S-2 and C-1; must be less than 35 centimetres from January 1 to June 30 and December 1 to December 31, S-4 and C-2; no size limit from July 1 to November 30
- Mile Lake (included with wabigoon lake): Largemouth and smallmouth bass combined - S-2 and C-1; must be less than 35 centimetres from January 1 to June 30 and December 1 to December 31, S-4 and C-2; no size limit from July 1 to November 30
- Olsen Lake (included with wabigoon lake): Largemouth and smallmouth bass combined - S-2 and C-1; must be less than 35 centimetres from January 1 to June 30 and December 1 to December 31, S-4 and C-2; no size limit from July 1 to November 30
- Paulson Lake (included with wabigoon lake): Largemouth and smallmouth bass combined - S-2 and C-1; must be less than 35 centimetres from January 1 to June 30 and December 1 to December 31, S-4 and C-2; no size limit from July 1 to November 30
- Trap Lake (included with wabigoon lake): Largemouth and smallmouth bass combined - S-2 and C-1; must be less than 35 centimetres from January 1 to June 30 and December 1 to December 31, S-4 and C-2; no size limit from July 1 to November 30
- Winnipeg River System: Largemouth and smallmouth bass combined - S-0 and C-0; from January 1 to June 30; Walleye and sauger combined: All anglers: open from January 1 to March 14 and third Saturday in May to December 31
- Lake of the Woods to the Manitoba Border including the waters of Big Sand Lake (included with winnipeg river system): Largemouth and smallmouth bass combined - S-0 and C-0; from January 1 to June 30; Walleye and sauger combined: All anglers: open from January 1 to March 14 and third Saturday in May to December 31
- Eaglenest Lake (included with winnipeg river system): Largemouth and smallmouth bass combined - S-0 and C-0; from January 1 to June 30; Walleye and sauger combined: All anglers: open from January 1 to March 14 and third Saturday in May to December 31
- Gun Lake (included with winnipeg river system): Largemouth and smallmouth bass combined - S-0 and C-0; from January 1 to June 30; Walleye and sauger combined: All anglers: open from January 1 to March 14 and third Saturday in May to December 31
- Hidden Lake (included with winnipeg river system): Largemouth and smallmouth bass combined - S-0 and C-0; from January 1 to June 30; Walleye and sauger combined: All anglers: open from January 1 to March 14 and third Saturday in May to December 31
- Little Sand Lake (included with winnipeg river system): Largemouth and smallmouth bass combined - S-0 and C-0; from January 1 to June 30; Walleye and sauger combined: All anglers: open from January 1 to March 14 and third Saturday in May to December 31
- Lost Lake (included with winnipeg river system): Largemouth and smallmouth bass combined - S-0 and C-0; from January 1 to June 30; Walleye and sauger combined: All anglers: open from January 1 to March 14 and third Saturday in May to December 31
- MacFarlane River to Ena Lake Dam (included with winnipeg river system): Largemouth and smallmouth bass combined - S-0 and C-0; from January 1 to June 30; Walleye and sauger combined: All anglers: open from January 1 to March 14 and third Saturday in May to December 31
- Middle Lake (included with winnipeg river system): Largemouth and smallmouth bass combined - S-0 and C-0; from January 1 to June 30; Walleye and sauger combined: All anglers: open from January 1 to March 14 and third Saturday in May to December 31
- Muriel Lake (included with winnipeg river system): Largemouth and smallmouth bass combined - S-0 and C-0; from January 1 to June 30; Walleye and sauger combined: All anglers: open from January 1 to March 14 and third Saturday in May to December 31
- Pistol Lake (included with winnipeg river system): Largemouth and smallmouth bass combined - S-0 and C-0; from January 1 to June 30; Walleye and sauger combined: All anglers: open from January 1 to March 14 and third Saturday in May to December 31
- Roughrock Lake (included with winnipeg river system): Largemouth and smallmouth bass combined - S-0 and C-0; from January 1 to June 30; Walleye and sauger combined: All anglers: open from January 1 to March 14 and third Saturday in May to December 31
- Swan Lake (included with winnipeg river system): Largemouth and smallmouth bass combined - S-0 and C-0; from January 1 to June 30; Walleye and sauger combined: All anglers: open from January 1 to March 14 and third Saturday in May to December 31
- Tetu Lake (included with winnipeg river system): Largemouth and smallmouth bass combined - S-0 and C-0; from January 1 to June 30; Walleye and sauger combined: All anglers: open from January 1 to March 14 and third Saturday in May to December 31
Fish sanctuaries: no fishing - closed all year
Grimshaw Lake, Rainy Lake (refer to waterbody exceptions)
Fish sanctuaries: no fishing - from january 1 to may 31 and october 1 to december 31
Lilac Lake (between Little Vermilion Lake and Lac la Croix), Trout Lake (between Little Vermilion Lake and Lac la Croix)
Fish sanctuaries: no fishing - from january 1 to july 31 and september 1 to december 31
Scattergood Lake
Fish sanctuaries: no fishing - from february 1 to june 30 and august 1 to december 31
Crook Lake, Little Grey Trout Lake, Rutter Lake, Secret Lake
Other zone notes
- Rainbow smelt may not be used as bait or possessed for use as bait.
Source: Ontario Fishing Regulations Summary 2026, Fisheries Management Zone 5 and ontario.ca ice fishing rules, read October 25, 2026; zone boundary: Land Information Ontario (Open Government Licence – Ontario). The summary is a guide to the regulations, not the law itself, and this page is a reading of the summary. Check the official text, and test the ice yourself: no regulation makes ice safe.