The Bancroft and Land O’ Lakes area fishes lake trout, bass, walleye and more, in a mix of provincial park lakes and municipal waters. This guide pulls together what Ontario Parks, Hastings Highlands and North Frontenac publish, and tells you where to read the rules.
Facts box
| Field | Value |
|---|---|
| Zone 15 | Includes Bancroft, Huntsville, Parry Sound and Pembroke |
| Zone 18 | North Frontenac (per the Township) |
| Bait rule, Zone 15 | Part of the Central Bait Management Zone; baitfish and leeches may not be moved into or out of it (dead and preserved are exempt) |
| Licence | Most anglers need an Outdoors Card and a fishing licence |
| Tools | Fish ON-Line; Ontario Fishing Regulations Summary |
Quick answer
Check which fisheries management zone your lake is in, then read that zone’s page. Zone boundaries decide seasons and limits, so do not rely on a neighbour’s lake.
Fish by water, from official pages
| Water | Species listed | Source |
|---|---|---|
| Mazinaw Lake (Bon Echo) | Lake trout, yellow pickerel, small and largemouth bass, lake whitefish, northern pike | Ontario Parks |
| Silent Lake | Lake trout, small and largemouth bass, yellow perch, sunfish | Ontario Parks |
| Diamond Lake (Herschel Township) | Lake trout, largemouth bass, smallmouth bass | Hastings Highlands |
| Kawartha Highlands lakes | Bass, walleye, panfish, trout | Ontario Parks |
Hastings Highlands also says its lakes and rivers offer angling in all four seasons, including what it calls the unique-to-our-area Jewel Lake Trout, and bass. Zone 18, which covers North Frontenac, includes the cities of Ottawa, Cornwall, Perth, Kingston and Belleville.
Rules to know
- Most anglers need an Outdoors Card and a fishing licence.
- Ice fishing for lake trout is permitted at Silent Lake, and gas-powered ice augers are not allowed there.
- Power boats are allowed on Mazinaw Lake only at Bon Echo, and Joeperry and Pearson lakes are motorboat-free.
- Silent Lake is motor-free, gas and electric.
- Under "Fishing From a Boat", Hastings Highlands links to pleasure craft licence information and boat safety resources.
- Clean equipment between lakes. Report invasive plants on the Invasive Species Hotline, 1-800-563-7711.
Licences and local vendors
Hastings Highlands names Canadian Tire, Linkie’s General Store and Gas Bar in Lake St. Peter, and Makin’ Waves Marine as licence vendors. North Frontenac names Bishop Lake Outdoors and Smart’s Marina in Cloyne.
Stocking
Hastings Highlands references Ontario’s Fish Stocking Program and the Bancroft Area Stocking Program. Check them for the lake you plan to fish.
Where to read the rules
Read the Zone 15 or Zone 18 page of the Ontario Fishing Regulations Summary before you fish. Use Fish ON-Line for lake-by-lake information. We do not restate seasons or limits here, because they change and they differ by zone.
FAQ
Which fishing zone is Bancroft in?
Zone 15. Checked November 3 2026.
Which zone is North Frontenac in?
Zone 18, per the Township. Checked November 3 2026.
Can I use live bait?
Zone 15 is part of the Central Bait Management Zone: baitfish and leeches may not be moved into or out of it. Read the zone page for the full rule. Checked November 3 2026.
Can I ice fish at Silent Lake?
Yes, for lake trout. Gas-powered ice augers are not allowed. Checked November 3 2026.
Cottages in this area
Browse cottages in Bancroft or the Bancroft and Land O’ Lakes region.
Township Rules Check
Thinking of renting out a cottage here? Run the Township Rules Check for the Bancroft area. Our dataset has no confirmed short-term rental rule for this municipality yet, so confirm with its clerk before you list.
Photo: Jeffrey Eisen, on Unsplash (Unsplash License).