Live Bait - Crawlers & Leeches

[Jay Thomas]

Hi Chazz,

I have perused the Ontario fishing regulations as well and I have been unable to find the exceptions you mention. Would it be possible for you to copy the pertinent sentence/paragraph that describes the exceptions into a post please. Thanks in advance.

Jay

[Chazz]

Baitfish or leeches, whether live or dead, may not be transported into or out of a BMZ, with some limited exceptions.

Southern BMZ ? consists of FMZs 16, 17, 18 and the part of 20 that is within the County of Prince Edward.
Central BMZ ? consists of FMZ 15.
Northeastern BMZ ? consists of FMZs 3, 8, 10, and 11 except the part of FMZ 10 that is within Cockburn Island, Michipicoten Island, St. Joseph Island, and Manitoulin Island. Manitoulin Island is defined as all islands that can be accessed by land south of the causeway connecting Great LaCloche Island and Whitefish River First Nation (known as Swift Current Bridge), including Manitoulin Island, Great LaCloche Island, Little LaCloche Island, and Barrie Island.

[Chazz]

I may have misread the limited exceptions.  I am on hold now with a phone call to the MNR will post an update on the issue after I speak with a rep.  Sorry for the confusion.

[Chazz]

So I just spoke with the MNR and according to the agent worms and leeches can be transported into Quebec from a BMZ if Quebec allows it, which they do.

[Jay Thomas]

Thanks Chazz.

If I were intending on transporting leeches from the northern BMZ into Quebec, I'd request the response you received (by telephone) in writing (an email would do fine). My concern is that occasionally, MNR representatives provide incorrect information (they have so much info on their plate). If what the rep told you by telephone is correct - then no issue. If that information was incorrect, at least a written response might end up saving your leeches.

Thanks again for your follow up.

Jay