Zone 20 fishing seasons & limits (2026)

A plain-English guide to what is open, what you can keep, and which Zone 20 species deserve your first check before a trip. Specific waters can still carry exceptions.

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Zone 20 is part of Southwestern Ontario & the Great Lakes.

Start with likely targets

Best species to check first in Zone 20

For beginners, start with the fish people actually ask about at the launch: whether it is open now, how many you can keep, and what caveat to check before you cast.

WalleyeOpen now S-4 / C-2 sport / conservation The classic Ontario table fish: low light, wind, current, and structure are your friends.

Smallmouth BassClosed now S-6 / C-2 sport / conservation Great for beginners once open: rocks, points, shoals, and current edges.

Largemouth BassPartial S-6 / C-2 sport / conservation A friendly starting target around weeds, docks, wood, and warm shallow cover.

Northern PikeOpen now S-6 / C-2 sport / conservation A practical confidence target around weeds, bays, and shore-access water.

MuskellungePartial S-1 / C-0 sport / conservation Low numbers, high commitment: confirm the size rule and handle fast for release.

Yellow PerchOpen now S-50 / C-25 sport / conservation One of the best family targets: schooling, simple tackle, and generous limits.

When can I fish in Zone 20?

At-a-glance open seasons by species and month. Green = open, amber = partly open, grey = closed.

Species	J	F	M	A	M	J	J	A	S	O	N	D
Walleye	January: open	February: open	March: partial	April: closed	May: partial	June: open	July: open	August: open	September: open	October: open	November: open	December: open
Sauger	January: open	February: open	March: partial	April: closed	May: partial	June: open	July: open	August: open	September: open	October: open	November: open	December: open
Smallmouth Bass	January: closed	February: closed	March: closed	April: closed	May: closed	June: closed	July: partial	August: open	September: open	October: open	November: open	December: open
Largemouth Bass	January: closed	February: closed	March: closed	April: closed	May: closed	June: partial	July: open	August: open	September: open	October: open	November: open	December: open
Northern Pike	January: open	February: open	March: open	April: closed	May: partial	June: open	July: open	August: open	September: open	October: open	November: open	December: open
Muskellunge	January: closed	February: closed	March: closed	April: closed	May: closed	June: partial	July: open	August: open	September: open	October: open	November: open	December: partial
Yellow Perch	January: open	February: open	March: open	April: open	May: open	June: open	July: open	August: open	September: open	October: open	November: open	December: open
Black Crappie	January: open	February: open	March: open	April: open	May: open	June: open	July: open	August: open	September: open	October: open	November: open	December: open
Lake Trout	January: open	February: open	March: open	April: open	May: open	June: open	July: open	August: open	September: open	October: closed	November: closed	December: open
Brook Trout	January: closed	February: closed	March: closed	April: closed	May: closed	June: closed	July: closed	August: closed	September: closed	October: closed	November: closed	December: closed
Brown Trout	January: open	February: open	March: open	April: open	May: open	June: open	July: open	August: open	September: open	October: open	November: open	December: open
Rainbow Trout / Steelhead	January: open	February: open	March: open	April: open	May: open	June: open	July: open	August: open	September: open	October: open	November: open	December: open
Atlantic Salmon	January: open	February: open	March: open	April: open	May: open	June: open	July: open	August: open	September: open	October: open	November: open	December: open
Chinook Salmon	January: open	February: open	March: open	April: open	May: open	June: open	July: open	August: open	September: open	October: open	November: open	December: open
Coho Salmon	January: open	February: open	March: open	April: open	May: open	June: open	July: open	August: open	September: open	October: open	November: open	December: open

Seasons & limits detail

Species	Season	Sport / Conservation
Walleye & Sauger	Seasonal January 1 to March 1 and the first Saturday in May to December 31 · Not more than 1 greater than 63 cm	S-4 / C-2
Largemouth Bass	Seasonal the third Saturday in June to December 31 · Jan 1 to May 10 is catch-and-release only (S-0/C-0). Aggregate bass limits apply	S-6 / C-2
Smallmouth Bass	Seasonal the first Saturday in July to December 31 · Jan 1 to May 10 is catch-and-release only (S-0/C-0). Aggregate bass limits apply	S-6 / C-2
Northern Pike	Seasonal January 1 to March 31 and the first Saturday in May to December 31	S-6 / C-2
Yellow Perch	Open all year Open all year	S-50 / C-25
Crappie	Open all year Open all year	S-30 / C-10
Muskellunge	Seasonal the third Saturday in June to December 15 · Must be greater than 137 cm	S-1 / C-0
Lake Trout	Seasonal January 1 to September 30 and December 1 to December 31 · Aggregate limit: S-5/C-2 for all trout and salmon combined	S-3 / C-1
Brook Trout	Closed all year Closed all year	—
Brown Trout	Open all year Open all year · Aggregate limit: S-5/C-2 for all trout and salmon combined	S-5 / C-2
Rainbow Trout	Open all year Open all year · Aggregate limit: S-5/C-2 for all trout and salmon combined	S-2 / C-1
Atlantic Salmon	Open all year Open all year · Must be greater than 63 cm · Aggregate limit: S-5/C-2 for all trout and salmon combined	S-1 / C-0
Pacific Salmon (Chinook/Coho/Pink)	Open all year Open all year · Covers Chinook, Coho, and Pink salmon. Aggregate limit: S-5/C-2 for all trout and salmon combined	S-5 / C-2

These are zone-wide rules. Individual lakes and rivers may carry exceptions, sanctuaries, or closures. Always confirm on the official Zone 20 page.

Before you keep a fish

Zone 20 has details worth checking twice.

13verified species rules 3size or slot rules 7special notes 1closed all-year rows

Use the table as the fast answer, then check the exact waterbody and exception table before keeping fish. TackleDex is designed to make that last-mile check obvious at the launch.

Species directory

Species in Zone 20

Pick a fish to see its Zone 20 season, limit, size notes, and official caveats in one focused page.

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