US – Lake Ontario’s fish are now safe to eat and the restictions of chinook salmon fishing have been relaxed but the advice is still to limit consumption of fish caught in the lake.

St. Lawrence River

Can I swim in Lake Ontario? Yes! Lake Ontario offers fantastic swimming at many beaches. Local Health Units often test water quality at public beaches and lifeguards may supervise swimmers in designated swimming areas.

General and sensitive populations Do not eat organs of any fish. Do not eat the eggs of fatty fish such as Salmon and Trout from the Great Lakes, as they generally contain higher levels of contaminants. Do not harvest dead or dying fish as they may contain harmful microorganisms or toxins.

The new guidelines say it’s OK to eat up to four meals a month of chinook salmon, coho salmon, rainbow trout, and for smaller brown trout and lake trout .

By Jason Crandall’s definition, Grand River fish are plenty safe. The Lansing resident has been fishing at Moores Park since he was a teenager and often cooks what he catches. It’s fresher than fish from the grocery store. “In terms of taste, it’s not even a contest,” Crandall said.

Lake Ontario, St. Lawrence River and Tributaries Angling Regulations

You may only catch and keep in one day or possess no more than five trout and salmon in total under a sport fishing licence ( S –5) or two trout and salmon in total under a conservation fishing licence ( C –2).

Most salmon species live 2 to 7 years (4 to 5 average). Steelhead trout can live up to about 11 years.

The size of mature Chinook/King Salmon in Lake Ontario can range in weight from an average in the mid-20’s to trophy fish weighing in the low to mid-30’s. The King salmon is probably the most important species in Lake Ontario tourism and the sportfishing industry.

salmon