The Fish and Wildlife Stewardship regional boundaries divides the province into three areas: Northeast, Northwest and South. The areas were created using the existing boundaries of Wildlife Management Units (WMUs). These boundaries are to be used to determine juridiction between each Fish and Wildlife Stewardship Region.

Fisheries Management Zones have replaced former Fishing Divisions and are the geographic basis for managing, monitoring, assessing and regulating recreational fisheries for a majority of lakes and streams in a zone. Each zone is based on angler usage and ecological/geographic patterns such as climate zones, watersheds and road networks. This product requires the use of GIS software. *[GIS]: geographic information system

The Fish Management Zone dataset is comprised of all the polygons that represent the Fish Management Zones in Alberta. Fish Management Zone is an area having its own unique assemblage of water bodies, species of game fish and management regimes.

This spatial dataset contains a summary of fishing regulations and fish sanctuary descriptions. The data includes information on: * species catch and possession limits * size limits * seasons and close times * fish sanctuaries * bait and gear restrictions * regulations for specific fisheries management zones and waterbodies This dataset is not intended for legal purposes nor is it a complete representation of current regulations. For details on the current regulations, visit: * the [Fish and Wildlife Conservation Act](https://www.ontario.ca/laws/statute/97f41), S.O. 1997 * the [Fisheries Act](https://laws-lois.justice.gc.ca/eng/acts/F-14/), R.S.C., 1985 * the [Ontario Fishery Regulations](https://www.ontario.ca/document/ontario-fishing-regulations-summary?_ga=1.18007353.1041674230.1453227955) Close times, fishing quotas and size limits established in the Ontario Fishery Regulations may be changed through variation orders. Learn more at [Ontario.ca/fishing](Ontario.ca/fishing). Related datasets: * [Ontario waterbody location identifer](https://data.ontario.ca/dataset/ontario-waterbody-location-identifier)

This dataset identifies the Management Areas declared under the Waterways Conservation Act 1976. Under the Waterways Conservation Act 1976, the Minister for Water and the Department of Water and Environmental Regulation have responsibility for the conservation of the waters and associated land in five declared Management Areas. The declared Management Areas are Albany waterways, Avon River, Wilson Inlet, Peel Inlet and Leschenault Inlet. The Department of Water and Environmental Regulation has an approval process for certain works affecting waterways and foreshore areas and can provide advice on other developments affecting, or likely to affect, the condition and public amenity of these waterways. Key aspects of the Act relate to protecting and managing the condition and amenity of waterways when there are disturbance activities within or adjacent to the Management Areas. Activities within or adjacent to the Management Area that should be referred to the Department of Water and Environmental Regulation for discussion or licensing include: changes or intensification of land use adjacent to or impacting on waterways or their foreshore areas (e.g. land planning, development, mining, mineral exploration, drainage or flood risk management proposals) dredging, reclamation, dewatering, drainage and construction activities including retaining walls, jetties, private boat ramps or public facilities other activities that may affect declared management areas, for example, those that may increase nutrients. Further information and advice can be sought from Department of Water and Environmental Regulation's regional offices. Contact information for regional offices is available at the Department of Water website.

Prior to January 1, 2008, fishing divisions were administrative units to manage, monitor, assess and regulate recreational fisheries. Each zone was based on angler usage and ecological/geographic patterns. Refer to [Fisheries Management Zone for boundaries after 2008](/dataset/fisheries-management-zone).

Ontario's recreational fishing regulations are based on 20 Fisheries Management Zones. This map outlines the "border waters area" in Zone 5. The layer and the resulting map were created by the Office of the Surveyor General of Ontario. Instructions for downloading this dataset: * select the link below and scroll down the metadata record page until you find **Transfer Options** in the **Distribution Information** section * select the link beside the **Data for download** label * you must provide your name, organization and email address in order to access the dataset This product requires the use of GIS software. *[GIS]: geographic information system