Baitfish Primer

The Baitfish Primer mobile app is a digital field guide that helps users to identify and protect Ontario’s baitfishes wherever they go. The app was developed for and funded by Fisheries and Oceans Canada.

Featuring comprehensive species accounts and a built-in identification tool, the Baitfish Primer mobile app can help fishers and recreational water users of all skill levels identify the legal and illegal baitfishes of Ontario. With this app you will soon be able to distinguish a Creek Chub from a Longnose Dace with relative ease. Positively identifying fishes of all sizes is vital to protecting aquatic ecosystems, as many species have been listed as at risk or invasive and are prohibited for use as baitfish.

With this app, you will:
- Understand the federal and Ontario legislation and regulations pertinent to the use of baitfishes;
- Be able to identify small fish species;
- Be able to distinguish between legal and illegal baitfishes;
- Recognize the importance of baitfish habitat;
- Understand the potential impacts of improper baitfish use; and,
- Understand how to minimize negative impacts to our aquatic ecosystems from aquatic invasive species and how to protest species at risk.

On behalf of Fisheries and Oceans Canada, thank you for your interest in this app and for doing your part to protect Ontario’s aquatic ecosystems!