Welcome to the ONTARIO CHAPTER of the AMERICAN FISHERIES SOCIETY

We welcome any and all suggestions, links, news releases, events, announcements, job postings, photographs or other contributions to the website and/or newsletter. Please forward to the Webmaster, Social Media Chair, Newsletter Editor or any member of the Executive Committee and we will ensure they are posted and/or distributed in a timely fashion.
What’s New highlights the newest postings and our News page provides the latest news items relevant to Ontario’s fisheries. Look to News & Events for upcoming community events, workshops, courses, meetings and conferences. Chapter members are encouraged to submit papers, presentations, posters or research for our Member Publications page and to check out the Members Area for newsletters, employment, training and educational opportunities. The Links page includes the Ontario Fishes Archives offering access to relevant historical fisheries publications, as well as useful links for fisheries/natural resources, government, on-line books/journals, organizations/associations, software/apps, AFS and AFS social networks.
Ontario Chapter merchandise and Event Registration are available through the Online Store.
NCD-AFS Spring Newsletter
/in What's New/by RobertThe May 2026 Mainstream Newsletter (Volume 42, Issue 1) is now available from the North Central Division website.
AFS-OC Membership Update
/in What's New/by RobertAs of June 4, 2026, the Ontario Chapter has 92 paid members! The membership includes 39 regular, 23 student, 12 early career professional, 15 retired and 3 life members. Have you renewed your membership for 2026? Are you a member yet? If not, see the Become a Member page to find out why you should […]
Call for Nominations – 2026-27 AFS-OC Executive Committee
/in What's New/by RobertAFS-OC Members: We are accepting nominations for the following positions on the Executive Committee of the Ontario Chapter of the American Fisheries Society for 2026-27. President-Elect: This is the first year of a three-year term starting as president-elect then moving into the role of president and finally past-president. In this role the individual will assist […]

2026 Ontario Chapter Annual Meeting
January 30-February 1, Cartier Place Suite Hotel, Ottawa
Hot topics: Navigating change in contentious environmental and policy landscapes
Keynote Speakers: Gary Whelan & Kristi Leora Gansworth
Canadian Museum of Nature Tour – Friday January 30 (2-5 pm)
Register for the Conference and CMN Tour at the Online Store.
AFS-OC members and students are eligible for discounted rates.
View the 2026 AFS-OC AGM & Conference Program.
See 2026 AFS-OC Annual Meeting for additional information and Annual Meetings for highlights of past meetings.
Ontario Steam Assessment Protocol (OSAP) Training – June 1-5, 2026
/in Events & Workshops, What's New/by RobertMonday, June 1 to Friday, June 5, 2025 Cost: $1,250.00 + HST Learn how to apply the Ontario Stream Assessment Protocol (OSAP) techniques! This course trains you in standardized methods to evaluate habitat, hydrology, geomorphology, invertebrates, and fish communities in wadeable streams. Methods include the field components of the Ontario Benthos Biomonitoring Network protocol and […]
Ontario Streams Backpack Electrofishing Training
/in Events & Workshops, What's New/by RobertOntario Streams offers electrofishing training courses, in spring and fall sessions. These courses are intended for students and professionals who will be involved in stream surveys and fisheries management. The main focus is to ensure the safe use of the backpack electrofishing units. The course will cover: electrical theory, safety measures, and an in-field practical […]
Ontario Freshwater Mussel Identification Workshop – June 16-17, 2026
/in Events & Workshops, What's New/by RobertTentative Date: June 16-17, 2026 This two day workshop will provide an introduction to the anatomy, biology and ecology of Ontario’s freshwater mussels with special emphasis on the 16 COSEWIC assessed Species at Risk. See Ontario Freshwater Mussel Identification Workshop for more information and join the waitlist.
News – DFO Releases 3 New Interim Standards for the Protection of Fish and Fish Habitat
/in News, What's New/by RobertFisheries and Oceans Canada’s (DFO) Fish and Fish Habitat Protection Program (FFHPP) has released three new interim standards that were developed to guide project proponents in the design and implementation of mitigation measures considered critical to the protection of fish and fish habitat. The following are now published on Fisheries and Oceans Canada’s Projects near […]
News – DFO’s new Offsetting Policy and Position Statement for the Consideration of Cumulative Effects
/in News/by RobertFisheries and Oceans Canada’s (DFO) Fish and Fish Habitat Protection Program (FFHPP) has released a new Offsetting Policy and Cumulative Effects Position Statement. The Policy for Applying Measures to Offset Harmful Impacts to Fish and Fish Habitat and the Position Statement on the Consideration of Cumulative Effects in Support of Decision Making on Fisheries Act […]
News – DFO FFHPP Risk Management Framework
/in News/by RobertFisheries and Oceans Canada’s (DFO) Fish and Fish Habitat Protection Program (FFHPP) has released its Risk Management Framework Overview on the Talk Fish Habitat website. This overview: provides information about FFHPP’s risk management approach serves as a foundation for future engagement on policies, guidance and tools related to how DFO manages risks to fish and […]
2026 IAGLR-SCAS Joint Conference – May 25-29, 2026
/in Meetings & Conferences, What's New/by Robert2026 IAGLR-SCAS Joint Conference, Winnipeg, Manitoba Theme: Connected Waters: Bridging Communities & Ideas
156th American Fisheries Society Annual Meeting – August 30-September 3, 2026
/in Meetings & Conferences, What's New/by RobertAFS 2026, Columbus, Ohio Theme: The heart of stainability: Habitat as the foundation of productive fisheries
American Fisheries Society Calendar
/in Meetings & Conferences/by RobertAmerican Fisheries Society Calendar
Volume XXIV, Issue I – The Lateral Line
/in Newsletters, What's New/by RobertHIGHLIGHTS:
2023 AFS-OC AGM Overview; Student Subunit Update; 2022 NCD-AFS Best Chapter Communications Award; Fish Focus – Golden Redhorse – Siobhan Ewert; Pictures of Fishes – Kathryn Peiman; Book Review – Effective Conservation: Parks, Rewilding, and Local Development by Ignacio Jiménez; New Publication – Freshwater Fisheries in Canada
Volume XXIII, Issue I – The Lateral Line
/in Newsletters, What's New/by RobertHIGHLIGHTS:
2023 AFS-OC AGM Overview; Student Subunit Update; 2022 NCD-AFS Best Chapter Communications Award; Fish Focus – Golden Redhorse – Siobhan Ewert; Pictures of Fishes – Kathryn Peiman; Book Review – Effective Conservation: Parks, Rewilding, and Local Development by Ignacio Jiménez; New Publication – Freshwater Fisheries in Canada
Volume XXII, Issue I – The Lateral Line
/in Newsletters/by RobertHIGHLIGHTS:
2023 AFS-OC AGM Overview; Student Subunit Update; 2022 NCD-AFS Best Chapter Communications Award; Fish Focus – Golden Redhorse – Siobhan Ewert; Pictures of Fishes – Kathryn Peiman; Book Review – Effective Conservation: Parks, Rewilding, and Local Development by Ignacio Jiménez; New Publication – Freshwater Fisheries in Canada

Ontario Freshwater Fishes Life History Database
- a fully searchable database for all Ontario and adjacent Great Lakes freshwater fishes including introduced, extirpated and extinct species
- contains current information pertaining to life history, habitat, size and age, distribution, conservation status, ecological value, reproduction and nomenclature for 156 species, 3 subspecies and 2 established hybrids
- includes photographs, range maps, notes, Ontario record lengths and weights, length-weight regression coefficients, information sources, glossary of terms and related web links





















