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.

FISHING 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.

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.

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.

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.

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

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

  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.
Photo: B. Holden