Walleye Season in Ontario: Dates and Where to Fish
Updated: 1 day ago
Walleye season in Ontario depends on which Fisheries Management Zone (FMZ) you fish. On Lake Erie (Zone 19), walleye are open all year, with a limit of 6 on a sport licence or 2 on a conservation licence. Lake Ontario (Zone 20) and southern inland waters (Zone 16) close in spring and reopen in May.
Everything below comes from the 2026 Ontario Fishing Regulations Summary (updated August 4, 2026). Regulations can change, so always check the summary for your zone before you head out.
When is walleye season in Ontario?
Ontario doesn't have one province-wide walleye season. The province is split into Fisheries Management Zones, and each zone sets its own walleye season, catch limits and size rules. Some waters inside a zone have their own exceptions on top of that.
Here's how the three zones most Southern Ontario anglers fish compare for walleye and sauger (combined) in 2026:
Zone | Main waters | 2026 walleye season | Limits (Sport / Conservation) |
FMZ 19 | Lake Erie, Lake St. Clair, and the St. Clair, Detroit and upper Niagara rivers | Open all year | 6 / 2 |
FMZ 20 | Lake Ontario | Jan 1 to Mar 1, and the first Saturday in May to Dec 31 | 4 / 2, not more than 1 over 63 cm |
FMZ 16 | Inland lakes and rivers across much of Southern Ontario | Jan 1 to Mar 15, and the second Saturday in May to Dec 31 | 4 / 2, not more than 1 over 46 cm |
Zone 16 also lists some waterbodies with their own walleye rules, so check the species exceptions for your lake on the Zone 16 page. If you fish anywhere else in the province, look up your zone the same way.
What are the walleye rules on Lake Erie (Zone 19)?
Lake Erie is our home water here in Port Dover, and it's one of the easiest places in Ontario to plan a walleye trip around, because the season never closes. According to the FMZ 19 regulations:
Season: walleye and sauger combined are open all year.
Limits: 6 on a sport fishing licence, 2 on a conservation licence (walleye and sauger combined).
Long Point Bay sanctuary: no fishing at all from May 15 to the Friday before the fourth Saturday in June in the eastern half of the Inner Long Point Bay (Walsingham and Norfolk Townships).
Niagara-end sanctuaries: no fishing from June 1 to July 15 in marked areas near Fort Erie, Port Colborne and Gravelly Bay.
Lines: the Zone 19 page lists an exception allowing two lines when angling from a boat in open water. Read the exact wording before you set your spread.
Unless you're exempt, you'll also need an Outdoors Card and a valid fishing licence. The province lays out the options on its licences and fees page.
Where can you fish for walleye in Ontario?
Lake Erie: Port Dover and Long Point
Ontario's side of Lake Erie is big, open water, and a lot of walleye there are caught by trolling. Port Dover gives you quick access to the lake, and Long Point Bay is right next door. Just remember the spring sanctuary in the inner bay, and plan your trips around it from mid-May to late June.
Lake St. Clair and the Detroit River
These waters are also in Zone 19, so the same open-all-year season and 6 / 2 limits apply. Check the Zone 19 page for any local exceptions before you launch.
Lake Ontario
Lake Ontario is Zone 20. Walleye are closed from March 2 until the first Saturday in May, and you can keep no more than one walleye over 63 cm. The Zone 20 page also lists an exception for part of the St. Lawrence River.
Inland lakes and rivers
Inland walleye seasons vary more from zone to zone, and individual lakes can carry their own rules. If you're not sure which zone a lake falls in, look it up on the province's Fish ON-Line map before you go.
How do you check the rules for your zone?
Open the Ontario Fishing Regulations Summary on ontario.ca.
Find your lake or river on the Fish ON-Line map to confirm which zone it's in.
Read the zone-wide season and limits for walleye and sauger.
Check that zone's species exceptions, waterbody exceptions and fish sanctuaries for your exact water.
Check again each season. The province notes the summary is a convenient reference only, not a legal document or a complete collection of the current laws.
What do you need to troll for walleye this season?
Once you know the water is open, trolling spoons are one of the best ways to cover open water and find suspended walleye. For a full rundown, read our guide to the best walleye lures for trolling Lake Erie. The short version:
Spoon size: run our Small (8 cm) or Medium (9.5 cm) spoons for walleye. They catch trout too. The MAG (11.5 cm) is our salmon spoon.
Speed: troll walleye spoons around 1.8 to 3.0 mph, and watch the action beside the boat before you let it back.
Colour: bright colours on sunny days and in clear water, darker colours when it's overcast. Glow options like Blue Frog (Glow Tape) give you another look.
Rigging: always use a ball-bearing snap swivel, and never tie a spoon direct to your line.
Getting down: run spoons behind planer boards, dipsy divers, downriggers or lead core.
Every King Crusher spoon is hand-painted, finished with a durable clear coat and rigged with razor-sharp hooks. They're designed and tested on the Great Lakes by our team and pro staff, and our walleye spoons run C$9.99 to C$10.99. Got questions about sizes, finishes or rigging? Our FAQ covers the basics.
Quick answers
Is walleye season open all year on Lake Erie?
Yes. In Ontario's Zone 19, which includes Lake Erie, walleye and sauger are open all year. The limit is 6 on a sport licence or 2 on a conservation licence, combined.
When does walleye season open on Lake Ontario?
In Zone 20, walleye season reopens on the first Saturday in May and runs to December 31. It's also open January 1 to March 1.
How many walleye can I keep in Ontario?
It depends on your zone and licence. In 2026 it's 6 (sport) or 2 (conservation) in Zone 19, and 4 or 2 in Zones 16 and 20, with size rules on the largest fish.
Do I need a fishing licence for walleye in Ontario?
Most anglers need an Outdoors Card and a sport or conservation fishing licence. Check the province's licence page to see if you're exempt.
Planning a fall trip on Erie? The season's still open. Shop King Crusher walleye spoons and get your spread ready.
Sources
Regulation details in this post come from the Government of Ontario's 2026 Ontario Fishing Regulations Summary (updated August 4, 2026). Always check the current summary for your zone before you fish.
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