Editor’s note: Please check back regularly as many of these stories will be updated to reflect changes.
The global outbreak of novel coronavirus COVID-19 is having a tremendous impact on life around the world.
Our editorial team is bringing you the latest information on how the Ontario outdoors community is being affected by the pandemic. If you have information to share, please email us here.
Here are our latest COVID-19-related stories:
• Rough times for some outfitters
• Trent-Severn Waterway opens Friday
• Tick surveillance suspended
• Ontario whitetails test positive for COVID
• Funding continues to aid northern businesses
• In-person Toronto International Boat Show events cancelled for 2022
• Staycation tax credit welcome
• Toronto Sportsmen’s Show planning return
• Northern businesses get more than $26 million
• COVID-19 antibodies found in wild US deer
• Tourism recovery funding offered
• COVID-19 impacting lamprey control efforts
• Deer group no longer in Canada
• Orillia restricting boat launch and parking for non-residents
• Ontario-based online hunter safety course coming
• Canpar stops shipping firearms and ammo
• Waterway opening delayed by pandemic
• Pandemic fuels interest in hunting and fishing
• Port Hope closes Ganaraska River lands
• Fishing tackle and boat stock still low
• Support in budget welcomed by tourism industry
• Budget includes support for tourism
• Ammunition shortage in Canada
• 2021 outdoors shows up in air
• Park permit prices reduced
• 2021 Toronto Sportsmen’s Show cancelled
• No delays with Outdoors Cards: MNRF
• 2021 Toronto International Boat Show cancelled
• Northumberland County votes down fall turkey hunt
• Ask a CO: How the pandemic has affected the work of a CO
• Port Hope closes Ganaraska access, trails before salmon migration
• Ice fishing expo cancelled
• Researchers surveying angler behaviour
• Border closure hurting tourism operations
• Fishing tackle sales surge
• COVID-19 adds to process for mailing guns
• Input sought on Ganaraska fishing
• Firearms licence production delayed and restarted
• OFAH calls for PAL extensions
• Access to Cambridge-area lake closed
• Hunter education moves online
• Spring waterfowl surveys cancelled
• Much of province to reopen
• Free fishing in July extended
• Boat sales spike
• Canada Goose moves towards reclaimed fur
• Toronto Sportsmen’s Show bought by Master Promotions
• National fishing week returns July 4-12
• Gun retailers hurt by COVID-19, new restrictions
• Ontario Parks to reopen gradually
• Lamprey control affected by COVID-19
• Sail closing two Ontario stores
• Short-term rentals can reopen
• Backcountry camping returns
• Evinrude brand discontinued
• Ask an expert: Can fish transmit COVID-19?
• Outdoor picnic sites reopen
• Fire ban lifted
• Gradual reopenings continue
• Provincial parks reopening
• Ask an expert: Can biting insects transmit COVID-19?
• Pheasant hunt cancelled in Pelee
• No changes to fishing: Premier
• Derby cancelled over COVID-19
• Waterway opening delayed by COVID-19
• Ministries temporarily exempt from 30-day consultation requirement
• Are fishing and hunting seasons closed?
• COVID-19 closures hurting outdoors business
• Gun licence production halted
• COVID-19 causes surge in gun, ammo sales
• Teddy bear hunts gain popularity
• Ontario Parks closed care of COVID-19
OFAH offers resources
The Ontario Federation of Anglers and Hunters (OFAH) has a list of frequently asked COVID-19-related questions and answers here and list of outdoors-related restrictions and closures here.
While practicing social distancing will I be able to hunt turkey in this 2020 spring season??
I don’t have my permitt for fishing do i need to get my permit or can i fish without it for now
Hi Brent,
At the moment, if you are between the ages of 18-65 years of age, you still need a permit to fish in Ontario. If not, any piece of provincially-issued ID will serve as your licence. There are also free fishing weekends (Mother’s Day Weekend in May [May 9-10, 2020], Father’s Day Weekend in June [June 20-21, 2020], and Family Fishing Week in July [July 4-12, 2020]. Do you have an Outdoors card? You can find more information here: https://www.huntandfishontario.com/
Be sure to check back for any changes.
hunted and fished all of my life have seen the highs and the lows . one year.. seriously? stay home spend time with your family think about next year . it will be like high school.. first date.. a new car the wild will still be there and better .. .time isn’t an option for wildlife and fish .it is for us .. I hope my grandkids will be able to have a structured outdoors life in the future for their sake and mine don’t let testosterone affect sound judgement ..shut her down…..
If I put my boat at a marina can I bring my friend and family fishing if they don’t live in the same household
Jean luc, the health recommendation at the moment remains maintaining six feet (2 metres) of physical distancing with anyone outside your household.
do you have to social distance (2 meters apart ) in a boat while fishing and can you fish with familly not living with you
Doug, it’s still recommended you physically distance yourself six feet (2 metres) apart from anyone outside your household.
Hello Meghan,
Ok, everybody knows that we have to observe physical distancing even in a boat. The question is are we allowed to do so with someone who does not live with you? And be legal with the restrictions being imposed now?. My boat is big enough so that we can be 10 feet apart at all times., but can we do it legally without getting a fine? That is the question everybody needs an answer to. Thank you.
Claude, of course you do so at your own risk.
Hello there, I seen on here before stating the crown land camping ban will be revoked as of May 29/20? is this still true? what’s the fine/charge if caught camping on crown land with a campfire before May 29th?please let me know as soon as possible. Thanks for your time and keep safe
Dan, all camping remains closed until at least June 21st. You can find out update with a link to the Parks Canada page here:
https://new.oodmag.com/news/waterway-to-open-june-1/
How do one social distancing on a fishing boat?
We are think about going out salmon Lake Ontario on a 19 foot boat
Winston, you can maintain physical distancing on a 19-foot boat. Just practise thorough hand-washing and ensure your party is in good health prior to departure.
Question. Can 2 people not from the same address fish from the same boat?
Jerry, you are permitted to extend your social gathering bubble from 5-10 people at this time, but it is still good practice to maintain six feet of distance where at all possible, as well as following strict hand-washing procedures.
We are Americans fishing on the St Lawrence River in July 2020. can we buy Canadian fishing licenses and fish in Canadian waters?
We would be launching our boat on the US side of the border.
Rick, please find some resources to more information on this page. If the phone lines are busy, we recommend sending an e-mail, as many offices are still working from home: https://www.ontario.ca/page/fishing-licence-non-residents-canada
Here is a response from the MNRF, Rick. “Yes, normally you can! However, the Government of Canada has introduced border measures to limit the spread of Coronavirus disease (COVID-19) in Canada, including the restriction of all discretionary travel into Canada. Crossing the border for recreation or tourism, including pleasure fishing, is currently prohibited.
When these restrictions are lifted, and you start to plan your trip, please note that anyone who is not an Ontario or Canadian resident is considered a non-Canadian resident for the purposes of fishing licence regulations. Most non-Canadian residents require an Outdoors Card and Recreational Fishing Licence to fish in Ontario, including those 65 years of age or older. Please visit ontario.ca/outdoorscard or call 1-800-387-7011 or 1-800-667-1940. It is important to note that anglers who fish in waters that lie both in Ontario and another province or state must include the total number of fish caught anywhere in those waters as part of the number caught and kept or possessed under the Ontario recreational fishing regulations when bringing those fish into Ontario. Finally, any foreign boater who passes through Canadian waters has to report to the Canada Border Services Agency unless they do so without mooring, landing, or anchoring on the Canadian side.”
Now that Ontario has brought in new rules due to COVID-19, what are the rules for ice fishing?.
I fish with my cousin, who lives alone with his wife. I have done this for years even last winter when the pandemic hit. We are the only two at the shack and we practice social distancing and wear a mask when we can’t. We sit almost 8′ apart when in the 8’x6′ shack wear masks only take them off to eat. No one else is with us at any time. Government rules are vague about this. Has anyone got information on this?. Appreciate any information.
Bill
William, here’s a resource the OFAH put together this week: https://www.ofah.org/covid19/
It would seem if you are able to still observe physical distancing, and are outdoors, you may still fish with your cousin.
I missed the Moose hunt this year because of knee issues,which resulted in me getting a Total knee Replacement on Nov.16/20. Then with all the commotion over the Covid-19 and Pandemic and lockdowns I have missed the Moose Hunt Reporting for that year.Will I still be able to buy a Moose Hunting Licence for season 2021.Totaly Stressed out