Freshwater Fishing.
The Bonnechere River through Renfrew sits in Ontario Fisheries Management Zone 15. Smallmouth bass, walleye, and northern pike work the river through town and the Ottawa River reaches near the Bonnechere mouth; muskie can show up in the Ottawa River reaches below town.
The brief.
FMZ 15 covers the Bonnechere through Renfrew and sets the season structure: smallmouth bass open the fourth Saturday of June, walleye open the third Saturday of May, pike are open year-round in most of the zone (consult the regs summary for stretch-specific exceptions). FMZ 15 sits within Ontario's Central Bait Management Zone, so live or dead baitfish and leeches may not be transported into or out of the zone.
Anglers should consult the Ontario fishing regulations summary map for the precise FMZ boundary near the Ottawa River — FMZ 12 begins at the Bonnechere mouth, and rules differ across the boundary. Ontario fishing licences are required across all waters.
2. places.
- 01
Bonnechere River — town reach
Smallmouth bass on the river through downtown Renfrew; chutes concentrate fish at named pools.
- 02
Bonnechere mouth at Castleford / lower Ottawa River
Walleye, pike, and muskie water below town (FMZ boundary — confirm zone for specific stretch).
Today's read.
Cold but firm — winter-ready conditions · light winds · clean air.
By the book.
- 01All Ontario fishing requires an Ontario Outdoors Card and a fishing licence; FMZ 15 seasons and limits apply.Source ↗
- 02FMZ 15 is in Ontario's Central Bait Management Zone — live or dead baitfish and leeches may not be transported into or out of the zone.Source ↗
- 03The FMZ 15 / FMZ 12 boundary near the Ottawa River — consult the regulations map for the exact stretch that applies.Source ↗