When does walleye season open in Ontario? (2026)

Walleye is Ontario's signature game fish, and its season opens on a staggered schedule — different dates in different fisheries management zones. Here's the 2026 opener for every zone.

Zone	2026 opener	Season	Sport / Cons.
Zone 1	Open all year	Open all year	S-4 / C-2
Zone 2	May 16, 2026	January 1 to April 14 and the third Saturday in May to December 31	S-4 / C-2
Zone 3	May 16, 2026	January 1 to April 14 and the third Saturday in May to December 31	S-4 / C-2
Zone 4	May 16, 2026	January 1 to April 14 and the third Saturday in May to December 31	S-4 / C-2
Zone 5	May 16, 2026	January 1 to April 14 and the third Saturday in May to December 31	S-4 / C-2
Zone 6	May 16, 2026	January 1 to April 14 and the third Saturday in May to December 31	S-4 / C-2
Zone 7	May 16, 2026	January 1 to April 14 and the third Saturday in May to December 31	S-4 / C-2
Zone 8	May 16, 2026	January 1 to April 14 and the third Saturday in May to December 31	S-4 / C-2
Zone 9	May 16, 2026	January 1 to April 14 and the third Saturday in May to December 31	S-2 / C-1
Zone 10	May 16, 2026	January 1 to the third Sunday in March and the third Saturday in May to December 31	S-4 / C-2
Zone 11	May 16, 2026	January 1 to the third Sunday in March and the third Saturday in May to December 31	S-4 / C-2
Zone 12	May 15, 2026	January 1 to March 31 and Friday before the third Saturday in May to December 31	S-5 / C-2
Zone 13	Open all year	Open all year	S-6 / C-2
Zone 14	May 1, 2026	January 1 to March 1 and May 1 to December 31	S-2 / C-1
Zone 15	May 16, 2026	January 1 to March 15 and the third Saturday in May to December 31	S-4 / C-2
Zone 16	May 9, 2026	January 1 to March 15 and the second Saturday in May to December 31	S-4 / C-2
Zone 17	May 9, 2026	the second Saturday in May to November 15	S-4 / C-1
Zone 18	May 9, 2026	January 1 to March 1 and the second Saturday in May to December 31	S-4 / C-2
Zone 19	Open all year	Open all year	S-6 / C-2
Zone 20	May 2, 2026	January 1 to March 1 and the first Saturday in May to December 31	S-4 / C-2

Dates are computed from the official 2026 Ontario regulations by zone. Waterbody exceptions can differ — confirm on Ontario.ca.

Not sure which zone you're in? Tap the map or use your location.

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