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Fishing & Boating

Fishing Lake Huron, you will have the opportunity to fish for King Salmon, Coho Salmon, Rainbow Trout, Lake Trout and Walleye on fully-equipped vessels using top-notch fishing tackle and electronics. According to local fisherfolk, trolling with downriggers and dipsy divers will yield the best catch on the lake.

Sailing and boating enthusiasts can find everything they need at the municipal Port Franks Marina, Grand Bend Harbour and Bayfield Marina, which are open from Victoria Day Weekend to Thanksgiving Weekend. Boaters can take the “Safe Boater Get Certified Test” at either the Grand Bend or Port Franks marina office. There are also a number of private marinas in the area.

Since 2009, Grand Bend, Port Franks and Bayfield marinas have boasted Blue Flag status. Blue Flag marinas adhere to a code of conduct concerning environmental responsibility, clean water and established and well-practiced marina management.

Activity & Equipment Suppliers

Fishing Charters & Marine Equipment
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Boat Rentals & Charters

Information on boat rentals & charters
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Quiet Rivers

Information on nearby rivers.
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Motorized Boats & Catch-and-Release

Information regarding motorized boats & catch-and-release
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Launch & Dockage Fees

Information on seasonal and transient fees.
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Fishing Licence

Information on the Ontario Sport Fishing Regulations Summary
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Ontario Family Fishing

Information on licence-free weekends
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Private Marinas & Yacht Clubs

Pinery Provincial Park has nine day-use beaches, two of which are dog friendly.
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Activity & Equipment Suppliers

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Boat Rentals & Charters

Local outfitters offer fishing charters on the lake including Blue Line Fishing Charters (519-318-1102), Copper Blues Fishing Charters (519-331-4144), Grand Bend Fishing Charters (519-852-3410), Maitland Valley Fishing Charters (519-319-3931), Port Franks Charters (519-521-8785), and Xtreme Water Sports (519-238-5816 / 519-319-4864). Pricing varies by the amount of time out on the lake and the size of your group.

Rent single and tandem kayaks and stand-up paddleboards by the hour or up to two days from 360 Bikes ‘N Boards (519-524-7171) in Goderich. River Adventures Grand Bend (519-868-RAGB) rents electric and gas-powered inflatable dinghies, stand-up paddleboards, kayaks, and tandem kayaks by the hour. They also offer multiple, week-long, half-day camps for kids to learn about open water safety, navigating waterways using a variety of self-powered vessels (kayaks, canoes, paddleboards), and how to tie marine knots. Adult lessons include kayaking and paddleboarding. They even host a glow-in-the-dark group kayak along Parkhill Creek in Grand Bend. Westcoast Beach Store (416-836-8706) in Grand Bend offers daily standup paddleboard rentals and lessons. In Bayfield, head to the Marina Office (519-565-2233) beside the public washrooms, to rent a canoe or kayak. You can rent canoes, corcls (double-hulled, extremely buoyant, polyethylene boat), stand-up paddleboards, and single and double kayaks for use in Pinery Provincial Park (519-243-2220).

FISH A QUIET RIVER

Fly Fitters (flyfitters.ca) located near the town of Goderich offers guided fly fishing, spey fishing, and sport fishing adventures on the Maitland River, Bayfield River, and Saugeen River and along the shore of Lake Huron.

Ausable River Cut (Port Franks)

Offers a diverse warm-water fish habitat, including Channel Catfish, Walleye and Smallmouth Bass. There are also migratory runs of Rainbow Trout and Chinook Salmon.

Bannockburn Conservation Area (Brucefield)

Runs of Blue Gill, Brook Trout, Brown Trout, Chub, Dace, Darter, Rainbow Trout, Salmon, Smallmouth Bass and Sunfish. Access at 76249 Bannockburn Line, northeast of Varna between Brucefield and Bayfield.

Old Ausable Channel (Pinery Park)

Supports a warm-water fish community. It is home to nearly 50 common species, including many kinds of Minnows, Sunfish, Catfish, Perch and some top predators like Northern Pike and Bass. The Channel is also home to three species at risk – Pugnose Shiner, Lake Chubsucker and Grass Pickerel. Please help protect these species at risk and do not remove them from the river. Boat motors are not allowed on the Channel at any time and there is a ban on baitfish use.

Morrison Dam Conservation Area (Exeter)

Area boasts a 30-acre lake, which is a popular spot for family fishing. Access at 71108 Morrison Line, Exeter.

Parkhill Creek (Grand Bend)

Has a similar fish habitat to the Ausable Cut, with lake resident Yellow Perch present at the pier at times.

Parkhill Reservoir (Parkhill)

Located in the Parkhill Conservation Area. Populations of White Crappie and Largemouth Bass. Take Country Road 81 to Highway 7, turn onto Centre Rd., Parkhill. Brochure available on abca.on.ca.

MOTORIZED BOATS & CATCH-AND-RELEASE

Motorized boats are not allowed on the Old Ausable Channel or the Parkhill Reservoir. Catch-and-release is encouraged and anglers should always return any species at risk to the water of any watercourse.

Cold Water Fishing

This information is courtesy of Ontario’s West Coast Fishing & Paddling Guide, copies of which are available at the Welcome Centre in Grand Bend.

Teeswater River Watershed

  • Stream resident: Brook Trout

Lake Huron Watershed

  • Naftel’s Creek: Stream resident Brook Trout, Brown Trout. Migratory Spring-Fall Rainbow Trout, Chinook Salmon.
  • Kintail Creek: Stream resident Brook Trout. Migratory Spring-Fall Rainbow Trout.

Nine Mile River Watershed

  • Erber Creek: Stream resident Brook Trout
  • Nine Mile River (below Lucknow): Stream resident Brook Trout, Brown Trout. Migratory Spring-Fall Rainbow Trout, Chinook Salmon.
  • Nine Mile (above Lucknow): Stream resident Brook Trout, Brown Trout.
  • St. Helen’s Creek: Stream resident Brook Trout, Brown Trout. Migratory Spring-Fall Rainbow Trout, Chinook Salmon.
  • Anderson Creek: Stream resident Brook Trout. Migratory Spring-Fall Rainbow Trout, Chinook Salmon.
  • Kinloss Creek: Stream resident Brook Trout. Migratory Spring-Fall Rainbow Trout, Chinook Salmon.
  • Henry’s Creek: Stream resident Brook Trout. Migratory Spring-Fall Rainbow Trout.
  • Hunter Drain: Stream resident Brook Trout.

Maitland River Watershed

  • Maitland River below Auburn: Migratory Spring-Fall Rainbow Trout, Chinook Salmon.
  • Maitland River, Auburn to Wingham: Migratory Spring-Fall Rainbow Trout, Chinook Salmon.
  • Sharpe’s Creek: Resident stream Brook Trout.
  • Holmesville Creek: Stream resident Brook Trout, Brown Trout. Migratory Spring-Fall Rainbow Trout, Chinook Salmon.
  • Blyth Brook: Stream resident Brook Trout, Brown Trout. Migratory Spring-Fall Rainbow Trout, Chinook Salmon.
  • Lawlor Drain: Stream resident Brook Trout.
  • Higginbottom Creek: Stream resident Brook Trout. Migratory Spring-Fall Rainbow Trout, Chinook Salmon.
  • St. Augustine Creek: Stream resident Brook Trout, Brown Trout. Migratory Spring-Fall Rainbow Trout, Chinook Salmon.
  • Belgrave Creek: Stream resident Brook Trout, Brown Trout. Migratory Spring-Fall Rainbow Trout, Chinook Salmon.
  • Morris Dump Creek: Stream resident Brook Trout.
  • Sunshine Creek: Stream resident Brook Troutt. Migratory Spring-Fall Rainbow Trout.
  • Bluevale Creek: Stream resident Brook Trout.
  • Salem Creek: Stream resident Brook Trout.
  • Wroxeter Creek: Stream resident Brook Trout.
  • Blind Lake Creek: Stream resident Brook Trout.

Bayfield Watershed

  • Trick’s Creek: Stream resident Brook Trout, Brown Trout. Migratory Spring-Fall Rainbow Trout, Chinook Salmon.
  • Middleton’s Creek: Migratory Spring-Fall all Rainbow Trout, Chinook Salmon.
  • Hellgrammite Creek: Stream resident Brook Trout. Migratory Spring-Fall Rainbow Trout, Chinook Salmon.
  • Perdues Creek: Stream resident Brook Trout. Migratory Spring-Fall Rainbow Trout.
  • Nott’s Creek: Migratory Spring-Fall Rainbow Trout, Chinook Salmon.
  • Brand’s Creek: Migratory Spring-Fall Rainbow Trout, Chinook Salmon.

Ausable River Watershed

  • Ausable River: Migratory Spring-Fall Rainbow Trout, Chinook Salmon.

Warm Water Fishing

This information is courtesy of Ontario’s West Coast Fishing & Paddling Guide, copies of which are available at the Welcome Centre in Grand Bend.

Lake Huron Watershed

  • Eighteen Mile River: Smallmouth Bass

Maitland River Watershed

  • Maitland River, below Auburn: Northern Pike, Smallmouth Bass, Panfish.
  • Maitland River, Auburn to Wingham: Northern Pike, Smallmouth Bass, Panfish.
  • Maitland River, above Wingham: Northern Pike, Smallmouth Bass, Panfish.
  • South Maitland River: Smallmouth Bass, Panfish.
  • Middle Maitland River: Smallmouth Bass, Panfish.
  • Little Maitland River: Smallmouth Bass, Panfish.

Bayfield River Watershed

  • Bayfield River, above Trick’s Creek: Northern Pike, Smallmouth Bass, Panfish.
  • Bayfield River, below Trick’s Creek: Smallmouth Bass, Panfish.
  • Bannockburn River: Northern Pike, Smallmouth Bass, Panfish.

Ausable River Watershed

  • Ausable River, to area edge: Smallmouth Bass.
  • Ausable River, Centralia to headwaters: Panfish.
  • Black Creek: Panfish.
  • Parkhill Creek: Panfish

North Thames River Watershed

  • Fish Creek: Smallmouth Bass, Panfish.

Inland Lakes

  • Lakelet Let: Smallmouth Bass, Panfish, Yellow Perch.
  • Morrison Dam: Smallmouth Bass, Panfish.
  • Lake Wawanosh: Northern Pike, Smallmouth Bass, Panfish.

Launch & Dockage Fees

Grand Bend & Port Franks Fees

  • One-day launch pass: $25 per launch
  • Seasonal launch pass: $375
  • Seasonal Dockage (serviced; greater than or equal to 25 ft.): $79 per foot
  • Seasonal Dockage (serviced; less than 25 ft.): $1,896
  • Seasonal Dockage (unserviced): $1200
  • Transient Dockage (serviced): $2.30 per foot/day
  • Transient Dockage (unserviced): $1.90 per foot/day

Additional Dockage at Grand Bend Harbour

  • “Love Docks” Seasonal Dockage (serviced; greater than or equal to 25 ft.): $66 per foot
  • “Love Docks” Seasonal Dockage (serviced; less than 25 ft.): $1,680
  • Seasonal Dockage for Personal Water Craft: $600

FISHING LICENCE (CARD & TAG)

Before fishing in Ontario, it is important to read and understand the applicable sections of the Ontario Sport Fishing Regulations Summary (ontario.ca/document/ontario-fishing-regulations-summary). Learn the catch limits and season dates and do your part to help conserve Ontario’s waterways.

Canadian Tire:

  • 100 Thames Rd. E., Exeter – 519-235-0160
  • 84 Union St., Forest – 519-786-2121

Rona Hardware:

  • 57 Ontario St. S., Grand Bend – 519-238-5500

Service Ontario (ontario.ca)

  • 388 Main St. S., Exeter – 519-235-4578
  • 93 Main St. S., Forest – 519-786-2929

ONTARIO FAMILY FISHING

Ontario Family Fishing events are province-wide opportunities for Canadian residents to fish Ontario waters without the need for a fishing version outdoors card.  There are four event weeks during the year that are license-free:

  • February 19-21, 2022
  • May 7 & 8, 2022
  • June 18 & 19, 2022
  • July 2-10, 2022

Note: During these family fishing weeks, Ontario fishing regulations, fees and limits still apply. At all other times of the year, Canadian residents aged 18 to 64 years must buy a valid fishing license to fish in Ontario legally. ontariofamilyfishing.com

Private Marinas & Yacht Clubs

Private Marinas

Bayfield River Cottage Colony & Marina: 19 Fisherman’s Rd. Wharf, Bayfield, 519-565-2632

Harbour Lights Marina: 27 Chart House Hill, Bayfield, 519-565-5150

R & R Marina: 9346 Lake Rd., Kettle Point, 519-786-5604

Seven Winds Marina: 10009 Superior St., Port Franks, 1-888-770-1009

Yacht Clubs

Bayfield Yacht Club: bayfieldyachtclub.com, 647-667-9056

Grand Bend Yacht Club: gbyc.ca, 519-238-6676

Port Franks Yacht Club: portfranksyachtclub.ca, 519-333-8673

Report a Poacher

If you see any fishing violations, please contact a local Conservation Officer at 519-482-3333

HANDY WEBSITES

TOP 10 BENEFITS OF FISHING

(Source: healthfitnessrevolution.com)

Photo: B. Holden

Photo: B. Holden

  1. Full Body Strength – Battling even a small fish engages the shoulders, back, arms, core and legs.
  2. Family Bonding – Time with family promotes feelings of security and well-being.
  3. Boosts Immune System – The best source of vitamin D is a day outdoors under the sun.
  4. Promotes Relaxation – Time in nature with a focused task is akin to meditation.
  5. Improves Cardiovascular Health – Fishing burns an average of 200 calories an hour, depending on the kind of fishing you do.
  6. Teaches Self-Reliance – If you can fix a rod with just ingenuity, what else can you do on your own?
  7. Bestows Patience – Fishing puts your patience to practice.
  8. Encourages Travel – Fishers are among the most accomplished travelers on the planet.
  9. Enjoy The Great Outdoors – Fishing inspires a closer connection with nature and all creatures.
  10. Improves Balance – Reeling in a fish in a canoe requires balance, core strength and flexibility.