Regulations

Zone 4 fishing regulations

Red Lake, Sioux Lookout & northwest Ontario

2026 regulation dataset · Snapshot 2026-05-08

Start with these zone-wide rules, then check the official summary for waterbody exceptions and sanctuaries before you fish. A missing entry here does not mean there are no restrictions.

Seasons & catch limits

Zone 4 · zone-wide seasons and catch & possession limits
Species	Season	Sport	Conservation
Brook TroutAggregate trout & salmon limit	Jan. 1 - Labour Day	5, not more than 1 greater than 30 cm (11.8 in.)	2, not more than 1 greater than 30 cm (11.8 in.)
Crappie	Open all year	15	10
Lake TroutAggregate trout & salmon limit	Jan. 1 - Sept. 30	2; not more than 1 greater than 56 cm (22 in.)	1, no size limit
Lake Whitefish	Open all year	12	6
Largemouth and Smallmouth Bass or any combination	Open all year	4, no size limit from July 1 - Nov. 30	2, no size limit from July 1 - Nov. 30
Muskellunge	3rd Sat. in June - Dec. 15	1, must be greater than 102 cm (40 in.)	0
Northern Pike	Open all year	4, none between 70 - 90 cm (27.6 - 35.4 in.), not more than 1 greater than 90 cm (35.4 in.)	2, none between 70 - 90 cm (27.6 - 35.4 in.), not more than 1 greater than 90 cm (35.4 in.)
Rainbow TroutAggregate trout & salmon limit	Open all year	5	2
SplakeAggregate trout & salmon limit	Open all year	5	2
Sunfish	Open all year	50	25
Walleye and Sauger or any combination	Jan. 1 - Apr. 14 & 3rd Sat. in May - Dec. 31	4, not more than 1 greater than 46 cm (18.1 in.)	2, not more than 1 greater than 46 cm (18.1 in.)
Yellow Perch	Open all year	50	25

Bait, gear & possession rules

Catch & possession

Non-residents camping on Crown land must follow conservation fishing licence limits

Bait restrictions

Smelt may not be used as bait or possessed for use as bait

Fish sanctuaries

Show 29 fish sanctuaries in this zone

Red Lake and Golden Creek - Bateman Township, from the Pine Ridge Road, south to Red Lake, including part of East Bay Fish sanctuary - no fishing from Apr. 1 - June 14
Red Lake and Parker Creek - Fairlie Township, from Parker Lake to Red Lake, including an unnamed bay Fish sanctuary - no fishing from Apr. 1 - June 14
Cedar Lake - Louise Rapids and Nelson Lake Fish sanctuary - no fishing from Apr. 1 - June 14
Agimak River and Little Indian Lake downstream from Sandbar Lake to the mouth of the Agimak River where it enters Indian Lake - Gour Twp. Fish sanctuary - no fishing from Apr. 1 - June 14
Barnard Creek (50°06’N., 91°51’W.) between Fourbay Lake and Eady Lake. Fish sanctuary - no fishing from Apr. 1 - June 14
Bruce Lake - from Bruce Creek at Hwy. 105 north to, and including, the south half of Bruce Lake. Fish sanctuary - no fishing from Apr. 1 - June 14
Camp Creek and part of Indian Lake - Gour Twp. Fish sanctuary - no fishing from Apr. 1 - June 14
Maskinonge Lake and connecting waters - Echo, Lomond, Pickerel and Vermilion Twps. Fish sanctuary - no fishing from Jan. 1 - Fri. before the 3rd Sat. in June & Dec. 1 - Dec. 31
English River - from an unnamed island at Talking Falls to latitude 49°33’45”N. drawn across Franks Lake. Fish sanctuary - no fishing from Apr. 1 - June 14
Jackfish Creek - from the outflow of Jackfish Lake to the inflow of Perrault Lake. Fish sanctuary - no fishing from Apr. 1 - June 14
Megikons River and Sowden Lake - that part downstream from confluence of Megikons River and Reba River to longitude 91°10’W. drawn through Sowden Lake. Fish sanctuary - no fishing from Apr. 1 - June 14
Minnitaki Lake, Grassy Bay and English River – between English Falls downstream to include all of Grassy Bay of Minnitaki Lake. Fish sanctuary - no fishing from Apr. 1 - June 14
Minnitaki Lake, Twin Bay and the Rice River, including Twill Lake, Flower Lake, Twinflower Lake, Purity Lake, Parnes Lake and connecting streams, Twin-flower Creek, and Twin Bay of Minnitaki Lake (collectively known as the Rice River) and waters extending approximately 300 m (980 ft.) North, to the parallel of latitude 49°58’34”N., drawn across Minnitaki Lake. Fish sanctuary - no fishing from Apr. 1 - June 14
Mud Lake (50°25'25"N., 93°14'07"W.) - all waters in the unsurveyed portion of the territorial District of Kenora starting from where its mouth enters Wabaskang Lake - Kenora District. Fish sanctuary - no fishing from Apr. 1 - June 14
Ord River - from 50°15’22”N., 93°01’40”W. upstream to the top of first set of rapids at 50°12’55”N., 93°01’08”W. - Kenora District. Fish sanctuary - no fishing from Apr. 1 - June 14
Pakwash Lake - Fisherman’s Bay. Fish sanctuary - no fishing from Apr. 1 - June 14
Perrault Falls and Wabaskang Lake - Town of Perrault Falls, between Hwy. 105 bridge and a point 500 m (1640 ft.) northeast of the bridge. Fish sanctuary - no fishing from Apr. 1 - June 14
Puzzle Bay of Ord Lake south of the narrows at latitude 50°08’18”N. Fish sanctuary - no fishing from Apr. 1 - June 14
Red Lake and Chukuni River - McDonough and Bateman Townships, from Little Vermilion Lake south to Red Lake, including part of Hoyles Bay Fish sanctuary - no fishing from Apr. 1 - June 14
Root River - between latitudes 50°42’30”N., and 50°52’30”N. Fish sanctuary - no fishing from Jan. 1 - June 14 & Sept. 1 - Dec. 31
Root River (Adamhay) between latitudes 50°39’N. and 50°42’30”N. Fish sanctuary - no fishing from Jan. 1 - June 14 & Dec. 1 - Dec. 31
Savant Lake (North Arm) - Savant Twp. (50°28'N., 90°25'W.) Fish sanctuary - no fishing from Apr. 1 - June 14
Troutlake River - from the top of Whitefish Falls to a point 2 km (1.2 mi.) downstream where the river intersects Latitude 50°52’N. Fish sanctuary - no fishing from Apr. 1 - June 14
Vaughan Lake (Whitefish Lake) (50°13’N., 92°22’W.) Fish sanctuary - no fishing from Jan. 1 - June 14 & Dec. 1 - Dec. 31
Vermilion River and tributaries between Elbow Lake and Expanse Lake. Fish sanctuary - no fishing from Apr. 1 - June 14
Wenasaga River - from the first rapids upstream from Lac Seul approx. 3 km (1.86 mi.) downstream to the last group of islands. Fish sanctuary - no fishing from Apr. 1 - June 14
Ranger Lake, Ranger Creek and Gullrock Lake (North Bay) - the part of North Bay of Gullrock Lake north of Latitude 51°02'00"N.; Ranger Creek between Ranger Lake and GullRock Lake, and Ranger Lake (51°3'59"N., 93°34'21"W.) Fish sanctuary - no fishing from Apr. 1 - June 14
Nelson Lake and Richmond Lake - the northern basin of Nelson Lake (50°13'36"N., 93°9'35"W.) and Richmond Lake (50°14'15.47"N., 93°09'20.38"W.), including the unnamed creek that connects Nelson Lake and Richmond Lake. Fish sanctuary - no fishing from Apr. 1 - June 14
Richmond Lake - Kenora District Fish sanctuary - no fishing from Apr. 1 - June 14

Lakes and rivers in FMZ 4

Start with some of the largest named waterbodies in this zone, or open the complete directory.

Trout Lake Sturgeon Lake Red Lake Savant Lake Birch Lake Umfreville Lake Pakwash Lake Nungesser Lake (Unofficial Name) Gullrock Lake Wabaskang Lake Peekahchekahmeewee Sahkaheekahn/Pikangikum Lake Little Vermilion Lake

Browse all named waterbodies in FMZ 4 →