With rising temperatures driven by climate change, Muskellunge face sharply higher stress and mortality after being caught, even when released. These effects will only intensify in the coming years.

By removing the overwhelmingly small minority of anglers who still legally harvest Muskellunge, we can significantly reduce cumulative stress on the species with minimal regulatory disruption.

A province-wide catch-and-release mandate is a simple, targeted regulatory change with outsized ecological and social benefits. It aligns legal policy with the widely accepted conservation ethics already practiced by the Muskellunge community, while ensuring the long-term survival of one of Ontario’s most cherished sport fish.

Ontario’s Muskellunge deserve proactive protection. By implementing catch-and-release–only regulations now, we can help to safeguard this species, reduce community conflict, and preserve a world-class fishery for generations to come.