OFAH/Ontario Record Fish Registry

The Ontario Federation of Anglers and Hunters (OFAH) | Ontario Record Fish Registry has been developed to recognize the largest fish legally angled from Ontario public waters. Almost fifty game and nongame fish categories (see Record Fish Listing for eligible fish categories) will receive recognition. Replications of many of these record fish are currently displayed at the OFAH/Mario Cortellucci Hunting and Fishing Heritage Centre.

OFAH Record Fish Brochure / Entry Form | OFAH Record Fish Listing

Please refer to the current Ontario Recreational Fishing Regulations Summary to determine the open seasons for each species. All entries will be acknowledged and entrants will be notified within 60 days after submission regarding the ranking of their fish. The following are the fish entry requirements for consideration in the OFAH | Ontario Record Fish Registry:

1. Fish must be legally angled in Ontario public waters during regular open seasons and be entered within 30 days of being caught. Fish artificially raised to maturity or illegally relocated from waters outside of Ontario are not eligible.
2. Fish must be caught with hook and line, on rod and reel or ice fishing apparatus, and must be entered only by the person listed as the angler. Fish caught using spears, seines, dip nets, or bow and arrow will not be considered.
3. Fish must be weighed on government-inspected scales, and measured for Total Length and Total Girth. Your entry must include a photo(s) of the fish on the scale that clearly displays the weight of the fish. Total Length is the measurement from the tip of the snout to the tip of the tail (with the tail collapsed) in order to get the longest possible measurement. Total Girth is measured at the fish’s widest point. * These measurements must be accompanied by validations on the witness statement portion of the application form, or a letter signed by the witness stating the same information.*
4. Each entry must be accompanied by high resolution, colour photos, showing full length side view of the fish with fanned out fins (tail fin, dorsal fin, and anal fin). The photograph should include a ruler alongside the fish to verify length. Both the fish and ruler should be the same distance from the camera. The following photos will expedite species identification and processing: close-up side profile of the head; underside and top of fish, and mouth and lips (for suckers only).
5. All fish entered must be whole, frozen and in possession of the angler until requested by Registry Officials for species verification. Freeze in a block of ice to prevent freezer burn and protect the fish against damage.

In its decision, the OFAH reserves the right to reject or accept any entry, and all decisions of the OFAH Registry Officials are final. Registry Officials include fisheries biologists or other qualified officials from the OFAH, Ministry of Natural Resources and Forestry (MNRF) and the Royal Ontario Museum (ROM). The OFAH extends its thanks to the MNR and the ROM for their involvement in the OFAH/Ontario Record Fish Registry.

Note: It is not required for the OFAH/Ontario Record Fish Registry entry, but it is recommended that the angler keep a six-foot length of the fishing line that was used to catch the fish. International record fish registries have line class categories and require a sample of the line.

Angler Recognition

Each new OFAH/Ontario Record Fish Registry record holder will receive recognition:

• on the OFAH/Ontario Record Fish Registry web page;
• in Ontario OUT of DOORS (OOD) magazine;
• in OFAH and OOD social media;
• in the OFAH/Mario Cortellucci Hunting and Fishing Heritage Centre’s Record Fish wall touch screen; and
• via OFAH/Ontario Record Fish Registry certificate acknowledging their remarkable catch.

In addition, any new OFAH/Ontario Record Fish Registry record holder who may wish to have a replica of their fish produced, will receive a 15% discount on replica pricing at Advanced Taxidermy (to be arranged by the angler at his/her own expense).

Reproduction mounts more accurately reflect the real fish than those reconstructed through traditional skin-mount taxidermy and, likewise, last longer. Masters in their field, Advanced Taxidermy is owned and operated by Shawn Galea and James McGregor. Advanced Taxidermy is one of Canada’s most award-winning studios in the history of American and Canadian Competitions. They use the most modern techniques on the market and their reproductions are far superior to many in the industry.

For more information email recordfish@ofah.org or call 705-748-6324.