The Grand River in Brant is well known by fishers from around the world as one of North America’s most plentiful and varied fishing grounds, with over 80 species of fish caught annually. Canadian Fly Fishing magazine rates the Grand River and Whiteman’s Creek as the top 1and 2 “Do it Yourself Fly-Fishing Destinations” in Ontario. Head out on a Grand River fly fishing experience with Fly Water Guiding, a local outfitter in Paris. Fly Water Guiding offers introductory fly fishing and casting courses for beginners, as well as drift boat walk and wade trips for advanced anglers. These experiences offer fishing for steelhead, rainbow trout and brown trout.
The Halton watershed provides a wide range of angling opportunities. From Lake Ontario and watershed streams and rivers, to conservation areas, ponds, and reservoirs the watershed provides habitat for brook trout, brown trout, smallmouth bass, Pacific salmon, rainbow trout and white sucker. Halton’s Mountsberg Reservoir is a largemouth bass angler’s Mecca, with fish hitting the scales at more than five pounds recorded annually. Northern pike, black crappie, pumpkinseed and brown bullhead are also present in the reservoir, and anglers may fish from shore or by boat (outboard motors prohibited). Combine your fishing outing with a day at the beach at Fifty Point Conservation Area – a great option for a day of splashing along Lake Ontario’s shoreline. Bring your tackle box and fish for salmon in Lake Ontario or catch rainbow trout and largemouth bass in the conservation area’s stocked pond, where a fishing license is not required. Other great fishing spots can be found at Sixteen Mile Creek, Bronte Creek and Grindstone Creek.
If you’ve been thinking it’s about time to introduce the children in your life to the simple joys of fishing, The Reservoir at Hilton Falls Conservation Area in Milton is a great place to try casting a line. It’s stocked with Largemouth Bass and Brook Trout, and Hilton Falls offers fishing rods and lures to use free of charge with your park admission.
You can also get the kids started at a fishing event. During Family Fishing Weeks, Canadian residents can fish Ontario waters license-free. Events take place twice a year in February and July. The annual Hamilton Harbour Fishing Derby takes place at the beginning of August and features prize draws for children and youth; 1000 free fishing rods for children 12 and under; fishing, environment and water safety demonstrations; and derby prizes for three different age categories: Under 10, 11- 17 and over 18. The Christie Lake Kids Fishing Day and The Grand River Bass Derby both take place in early July and are great opportunities to get your kids “hooked”!
