Master Angler Program
The Ontario Women Anglers’ Master Angler Program is designed to encourage members:
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to take their fishing skills to the next level
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to investigate new fishing opportunities, bodies of water and species
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to support and mentor other female anglers in catching quality fish
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to provide some friendly competition at organized events and on individual outings
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and most importantly…to encourage women to get outdoors and have fun!
UPDATED PROGRAM RULES, SPECIES AND LENGTHS
NEW
Paid guides/charters* will not be permitted with the exception of the following species and ONLY when they are caught in the "Great Lakes and Connecting Waters":
*Payment could be in the form of money or other goods/services in exchange for guide/charter services.
*Assistance with gas, launch fees or meals is NOT considered payment for guiding/charter services.
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Brook Trout 22"
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Brown Trout 28"
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Chinook Salmon 40"
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Coho Salmon 34"
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Lake Trout 36"
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Pink Salmon 18"
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Rainbow Trout (Steelhead) 28"
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Walleye 28"
Great Lakes and Connecting Bodies of Water include but are not limited to:
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All five Great Lakes
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Lake St. Clair and St. Clair River
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St. Lawrence River
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Detroit River
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Niagara River
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Bay of Quinte
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Georgian Bay
*Ice hut rentals are NOT considered guided trips unless a paid guide is part of the outing.
NEW SPECIES AND LENGTHS
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OWA has added five new species to the program, revised lengths and divided some species into two categories to increase opportunities for catching Master Angler fish (see chart below):
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Inland Bodies of Water
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Great Lakes and Connecting Waters
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MASTER ANGLER PROGRAM RULES & GUIDELINES
Participants must be paid Ontario Women Anglers members in good standing.
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Entries can be fish caught in Canada.
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Each fish submitted must be caught by the member herself and meet the minimum length requirement.
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We are now using Google Forms for submissions. Pictures can be uploaded on the form.
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Quickly photograph the fish on the measuring device as well as yourself holding the fish and release it back into the water. CPR (catch, photo, release) is strongly encouraged to help the sustainability of our fisheries. Dead fish are not eligible for submission in the Master Angler program.
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Do not send in pictures of the fish on a stringer, hung from a scale or similar device. Please use proper fish handling methods.
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Fish should be photographed on a flat surface, mouth closed at the zero end of the measuring device and tail pinched at the other end.
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The entire fish and measurement must be clearly shown on a bump board or measuring tape in the picture. *Please do not use fabric tape measurers.
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The photograph should be taken directly above the fish, not on an angle.
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Measurement should be to the closest 1/8" (no rounding up).
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Fish must be caught within the season they are open. Please check NDMNRF regulations for the fisheries management zone (FMZ) you are fishing. https://www.ontario.ca/document/ontario-fishing-regulations-summary
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Submissions must be made within 30 days of the fish being caught.
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Please post your pictures on your social media accounts and tag #ontariowomenanglers If you are not already in the closed Facebook group, you can join at: https://www.facebook.com/groups/ontariowomenanglers/
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The program will run from November 1, 2022 - October 31, 2023.
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A silver OWA Master Angler pin will be awarded for each qualified submission during the program operating year. Pins will be handed out at our Christmas event or mailed in December of each year.
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Only one pin will be awarded per species caught in each year regardless of how many Master Angler sized fish of that species you submit. For example, if you catch and submit three Black Crappie, you will receive one pin but you can submit another Master Angler sized crappie in the following year for another pin.
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By sending in your submission, you confirm that you have read and followed the program rules. Additionally, you allow Ontario Women Anglers to use your picture(s) on our social media accounts and for promotional purposes.
SENIOR MASTER ANGLER
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Once you have earned 10 silver pins (and it may take several years), exchange nine of them for one gold Senior Master Angler pin…and wear it with pride!
