Summer Fishing - Durham Tourism

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Lake Simcoe at Beaverton
This lake is world-renowned for its warm-water jumbo
perch, cold-water lake trout, whitefish and burbot. At
Beaverton, safe ice can form around late December.
Many commercial ice hut rentals are available. Contact
the listed Beaverton ice huts for ice information and
rental huts. Reserve early, as this is a popular family
sport. Heated Bombardiers with GPS navigation are
used as the ice thickens, and you have a choice of perch
or lake trout and whitefish huts. Night fishing can be
action-packed. Bait and some equipment are provided.
Durham Region offers
fishermen a world-class sport
fishing experience that is second to
none. With its major rivers starting in the Oak
Ridges Moraine, the waters are cold and pure enough
to support resident brook, brown and rainbow trout
year-round. During spring and fall, rainbow and brown
trout, coho and chinook salmon ascending the rivers on
their spawning runs provide excellent sport.
As well, there is Lake Scugog – shallow and weedy,
perfect for walleye, perch, smallmouth and largemouth
bass and the mighty muskie, and all only a short drive
from Toronto. Farther north, Lake Simcoe’s southeastern
section in Durham Region can provide year-round
fishing for lake trout, whitefish, bass, perch, walleye,
panfish and burbot. So take your choice and enjoy the
wonderful fishing and amenities of Durham Region.
This map had been designed to assist both the welcome
visitors and residents of this urban-rural area, which
holds such promise for both successful family fishing
trips and challenging visits for world-class anglers.
Many references will be made to an essential free
reference book available at many fishing tackle
outlets – Fish Ontario 2008-2009 Recreational Fishing
Regulations Summary.
Floyd Hale’s Fish Huts
1-800-363-4704
www.floydhalesfishhuts.com
Winter Fishing
Marina, Port Darlington Marina, Port of Newcastle
Marina and Frenchman’s Bay Marina.
At Lake Scugog, Port Perry Marina’s launching ramp is
free, and on Scugog Island there is Goreski’s Landing
Marina plus a lunching ramp on Crown land. If you don’t
have a boat, Port Perry Marina and Goreski’s Landing
Marina offer rental boats and motors.
Ice fishing from Jan. 1 to Feb. 28 is available on Lake
Scugog, just a short drive east of Toronto. Walleye
and perch are the major fish caught through the ice.
There are rental ice fishing huts, but many anglers fish
just offshore from Port Perry in the open. Mid-week
reservations are recommended. Live minnows are best
bait; two lines and a mix of jigging with small spoons
are allowed (glow lures are best for the dawn and dusk
periods). Some huts are rigged for overnight fishing.
Check slot limits for walleye in Fish Ontario 2008-2009
Recreational Fishing Regulations Summary, which is
available in fishing tackle shops.
For huts:
Scugog Island Marina
905-985-8200
frank@scugogislandmarina.ca
Lake Simcoe has two launching ramps in Durham
Region, one at Beaverton Harbour and one at the
Crown land at Highway 12 and the Trent Canal.
Al’s Ice Hut Rentals
905-986-9699
alsicehuts@hotmail.com
For a full list of marinas in Durham Region,
visit www.durhamtourism.ca.
Year-Round Bait Shop, Causeway Live Bait Shop
905-985-0707
Fall Fishing
Prime Fishing Time
Come September, the flies have disappeared and most
fish go on a feeding spree to get ready for winter. The
weed beds are still green and giving off oxygen. Food is
plentiful and the fishing can be the best of the year.
Prime fishing time in Durham Region is any time. There
is always a “bite” going on in summer and winter.
Licences for non-residents can be for a one-day outing
to a yearly ticket. Full information on pages seven and
eight of the Fish Ontario 2008-2009 Recreational Fishing
Regulations Summary should be read before a fishing
trip. Keeping it available for reference is a good idea.
For shore fishing, slip floats can be used to great
advantage. Slip floats allow you to cast with a short length
of line at the end of the rod, but when the cast lands, the
line slips through the float to a pre-set depth, putting your
bait in the action zone but not at the bottom.
For boat owners, a number of major boat launching
ramps have been marked. Boat owners can launch and
berth their craft for Lake Ontario fishing at Port Whitby
A cool or wet September will see rainbow and brown
trout returning to the rivers flowing into Lake Ontario,
heading upstream to spawning areas. They’re hungry
and males will smash lures to protect their territory.
A number of streams named in the conservation area
section of the map can be productive. In many cases,
the water is shallow and care must be taken when
approaching a stream. In Lake Scugog, muskies are
on the hunt and your tackle must be heavy enough to
handle these tigers of freshwater. Smallmouth and
largemouth bass are on the take and surface lures
can be deadly. If you don’t have a boat, they
can be rented at Port Perry Marina and Goreski’s
Landing Marina on Scugog Island.
North of Beaverton, the Talbot River is a prime
spawning area for walleye, but make certain you
are not fishing in a sanctuary area.
Big perch can be caught off the wall at
Beaverton Harbour, along with whitefish that
come inshore to feed on minnows.
After a day of fishing, pick up fresh vegetables
from the many stands on Durham Region’s
concession roads. It’s a wonderful area for
lots of fishing, picnicking and enjoying the
countryside – all so close to Metro Toronto.
Why not spend a lazy day in Durham Region
fishing and relaxing!
There are three Fishing Zones in Durham Region: zone 20
that covers Lake Ontario; zone 17, the area around Lake
Scugog; and zone 16, the area around Lake Simcoe. In
an attempt to provide the best fishing for everyone, the
open seasons are not the same for all three zones within
Durham Region. Some species of fish have all-year open
season in some zones, but not all.
The diversity of fishing within such a small geographic
area and so close to Ontario’s major metropolitan area,
Toronto, makes the world-class fishing memorable. You
can successfully undertake a full day’s fishing covering
many species and still be home for dinner.
Durham Region has also made family fishing a priority
by protecting and developing a number of conservation
areas with picnic facilities, washrooms, panfish waters
and river fishing for trout in the headwaters of many
streams.
Durham Region’s fishing locations are in rural areas
with many having urban services that may be required.
Durham Region’s Economic Development and Tourism
Department has many supporting materials of things
to see and do. For further information, contact the
department at 1-800-413-0017.
With three lakes and numerous streams to fish, why not
try them all!
Mitchell’s Fish Hut Rentals
705-426-9482
www.mitchellsfishhuts.com
Tim Hale’s Fish Huts
705-426-9669 (or 9105)
www.timhalesfishhuts.com
Lake Ontario Shoreline
All open waters at the mouths of streams flowing into
Lake Ontario can be productive for rainbow trout. When
Frenchman’s Bay freezes over, pike and perch can be
caught. Fishing at the mouth of Oshawa Creek can be
productive and at Port Darlington, rainbow and brown
trout can be caught.
Spring Fishing
Spring starts when the ice disappears and the open
seasons in zones 20 (Lake Ontario), 17 (Lake Scugog
area) and 16 (Lake Simcoe area) allow fishing for various
species of fish.
The smelt run up the rivers flowing into Lake Ontario
varies according to water temperature and water flow.
This run is very important as salmon and trout leave the
deep waters of Lake Ontario and follow the smelt right
into the stream mouths. Action can be fast and furious.
Walleye seasons vary in the three fishing zones and slot
limits in Lake Scugog must be checked. Pike fishing in
Frenchman’s Bay and some parts of Lake Simcoe have
different open seasons. Check for year-round open
season for a number of fish species in Fish Ontario
2008-2009 Recreational Fishing Regulations Summary.
Summer Fishing
For many, summer fishing starts with the opening of the
bass season, on the fourth Saturday in June.
And what a choice for Durham fishermen! Again,
structure fishing (docks, weed beds, rocky reefs) and the
mouths of streams are the best choices for Lake Ontario,
but Lake Scugog with its heavy weed beds is the perfect
spot for largemouth bass. Lake Simcoe bass prefer
structure ranging from rocky shorelines, weed beds and
deeper water reefs and humps.
It seems that bass will eat anything it can swallow. Still
fishing with bait, casting with spinning lures or fly fishing
among the lily pads can all be done in Durham Region.
Tackle and bait shops are good sources of information.
In Durham Region, there are many areas where panfish
can be caught while other members of the family can
enjoy swimming, picnics on the beach or sightseeing
the many tourism attractions in the area.
Another advantage for most visitors is the short time it
takes to drive home.
Perch is common to all areas. While there is no closed
season in Lake Simcoe and Lake Ontario, the fourth
Saturday in April is opening day in Lake Scugog and
zone 17.
FISHING THE LOCAL CONSERVATION AREAS
Bowmanville Harbour
CLOCA
Liberty Street south of Hwy. 401. Stream fishing in Bowmanville Creek. For pier fishing
in either Lake Ontario or stream mouth, continue south on Port Darlington Road
to breakwall.
Bowmanville Valley
CLOCA
Coleman Street south of Hwy. 2 (just west of downtown Bowmanville). Fish downstream
to posted property of Bowmanville Creek Angler’s Association. Do not fish upstream from
wire barrier to Goodyear Dam. This is a fish sanctuary.
Enniskillen
CLOCA
Solina Road north of Taunton Road, turn east on 7th Concession to Holt Road. Turn north
to Enniskillen Conservation Area. Bowmanville Creek has native brown and speckled
trout.
Heber Down
CLOCA
Country Lane (between Regional Road 23 and Hwy. 12) north of Taunton Road to
Lyndebrook Road. Lynde Creek has native brown and speckled trout. Good spots along
Devil’s Den Nature Trail.
Lynde Shores
CLOCA
Brock Street south of Hwy. 401, turn west onto Victoria Street. For panfish, the best
access is the south side of Victoria Street. For spring and fall migrant brown and
rainbow trout as well as chinook and coho salmon, take the main walking path south
from the parking lot to Lake Ontario and stream mouth fishing. Overall, roe bags are
a good bait.
Oshawa Valley Land
CLOCA
Simcoe Street south of Hwy. 401 to Whiting Avenue. Turn west to Oshawa River. Good
fishing in fall for transient rainbow and brown trout plus chinook and coho salmon.
Spawn bags, Mepps Spinners, Rap Shad and other smaller minnow style lures.
Stephen’s Gulch
CLOCA
Liberty Street (Regional Road 14) north of Hwy. 401, turn east onto Taunton Road. Turn
south on Bethesda Road to Stephen’s Mill Road. Only fish south of road. Native brown
and speckled trout in Soper Creek.
Thurne Parks Valley Land
GRCA
From Hwy. 2, turn north on Regional Road 17 to Hwy. 35/115. Turn west onto 4th
Concession. Fish south side of road. Native brown, rainbow and speckled trout. Transient
trout, chinook and coho salmon in the fall.
Kendal Crown Land Area
MNR
Regional Road 9 east of Hwy. 35/115. Fish the Ganaraska River south of Regional Road
9 for brown and speckled trout.
Wilmot Creek
MNR
An excellent fishing spot. There are various areas for free fishing.
A. Mill Street south of Hwy. 401, turn west onto Toronto Street. Park at the end of the
road before it turns south. Walk west of parking area to path leading to Wilmot
Creek. Fish downstream to mouth.
B. Mill Street north of Hwy. 401. Turn west onto Hwy. 2. Parking is at Wilmot Creek.
C. Mill Street north of Hwy. 401. Turn west onto Hwy. 2 to Cobbledick Road south to
parking area. MNR has control on both sides of Wilmot Creek from marsh to north
of Hwy. 2. Cold-water fishing for native and transient brown, rainbow and speckled
trout. In the fall, chinook, coho and pink salmon.
Nonquon Provincial Wildlife Management Area MNR
Concession Road 12 east of Hwy. 7/12. Nonquon River is just east of side road east.
Good for largemouth bass, some muskellunge and panfish. For more information, contact
GRCA or MNR.
Durham Tourism
605 Rossland Road East
PO Box 623
Whitby, ON L1N 6A3
Scugog Island Crown Land Property
MNR
At the north/east tip of Scugog Island, there is a parcel of Crown land. By following
Crozier Line to its end, there is a launching ramp with a parking area.
Gamebridge Crown Land Property
MNR
The Gamebridge Crown Land Property has family picnic facilities and a boat ramp to the
Trent Canal and Lake Simcoe. The ramp is west of Hwy. 12/48 immediately north of the
last section of the Trent Canal and protected from Lake Simcoe’s wave action. In April,
there is a large migration of walleye heading for their spawning area. Please check the
Recreational Sport Fishing Rules book for restricted fishing during the spawning seasons.
For further information, contact:
Central Lake Ontario Conservation Authority
905-579-0411 www.cloca.com
(CLOCA)
Phone: 905-668-7711
Toll-Free: 1-800-413-0017
Email: tourism@durham.ca
Website: www.durhamtourism.ca
All information contained in this publication is believed to be accurate and complete at
the time of printing. Since much of this information is subject to change, we assume no
liability for any damages or loss arising from errors, omissions or information
given in any of the listings included in this publication.
Printed in Canada, 2009.
Ganaraska Region Conservation Authority
905-995-8173 www.grca.on.ca
(GRCA)
Ontario Ministry of Natural Resources
1-800-667-1940 www.mnr.gov.on.ca
(MNR)
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Data source:
“Department of Natural Resources Canada. All rights reserved.”
“Ontario Ministry of Natural Resources, Copyright © Queen’s Printer 2008”
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Fishing maps provided by TRAK. For more information visit
www.trakmaps.com or call 1-877-861-8725.
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Whitevale
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Carp
Identification: Broad bodied, heavilyy scaled and
barbels or whiskers at mouth.
Habitat: Lakes Scugog and Ontario, Frenchman’s
Bay and Beaverton River - during early summer.
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Toronto
Peterborough
Barrie
Hamilton
Buffalo (USA)
Owen Sound
Kingston
North Bay
Ottawa
Windsor
Pink Salmon
Identification: Mouth and gums dark. Black spots
on back. Unique oblong black marks on entire tail.
Habitat: Lake Ontario. Stream mouths - fall.
Fare
to Durham Region in km
y Cr
Distance Chart
Speckled Trout
Identification: Vermiculite markings on top, white
and red spots on side, front of lower fin white.
Habitat: Streams - headwaters of cold-water
streams.
mon
Railway
Herring (Cisco)
Identification: Small dorsal fin, large scales, mouth
at front, not underslung like whitefish.
Habitat: Lake Simcoe - winter ice fishing. No open season.
Panfish (Sunfishes, Crappies and Rockbass)
Identification: Sunfish have red breasts. Rock bass
have red eyes.
Habitat: Lakes Ontario, Scugog and Simcoe. Rivers
and bays - Frenchman’s Bay, Beaverton River and Rouge
River.
Har
Conservation Areas
Rainbow Trout
Identification: Mouth lining white. Black spots cover
tail, dorsal fin, on the back and below lateral line.
Habitat: Streams - trout season. Stream mouths spring and fall.
Coho Salmon
Identification: Mouth lining black with grey gums.
Black spots on the upper portion of the tail and
above the lateral line.
Habitat: Lake Ontario - summer. River mouths and upstream - fall
during spawning.
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Regional Road
Whitefish
Identification: Small dorsal fin, larger scales, mouth
on underside of head (like a sucker).
Habitat: Lake Simcoe - early summer, fall and winter
ice fishing.
Cree
Hospital - 24-hr Emergency
Largemouth Bass
Identification: Prominent lateral line. Jaw line
behind eye line.
Habitat: Lakes Scugog and Simcoe. Lake Ontario Frenchman’s Bay and mouth of Rouge River late summer
and early fall.
awa
Regional Highway
Lake Trout
Identification: Mouth lining white. Vermiculite-type
markings on body. Deeply forked tail.
Habitat: Lake Ontario - close to shoreline during
late fall.
Osh
VIA Rail
Rainbow Smelt
Identification: One dorsal fin, long, slender with
canine-type teeth on tongue.
Habitat: Lakes Simcoe and Ontario “Netting”
- during spring spawning.
East
Provincial Highway
Smallmouth Bass
Identification: Vertical bars on side. Mouth ends
forward of eye line.
Habitat: Lakes Scugog and Simcoe. Lake Ontario along shoreline in mid-summer to early fall.
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GO Transit
Brown Trout
Identification: Mouth lining white. Black spots on
back, red or orange spots on side. Square tail.
Habitat: Lake Ontario - summer. Streams - spring
and fall. Stream mouths - year-round.
Lynde Cree
Police
Carruthers Creek
Airport
Chinook Salmon
Identification: Mouth and gums black. Black spots
on back, tail and dorsal fin.
Habitat: Lake Ontario, shallow in spring and fall and
deep during the summer. Streams in fall during spawning.
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Tourist Information
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Nav Aid Lights &
Lighted Buoys
Duffins Cr
Marina
Atlantic Salmon
Identification: Mouth white, “X” black spots, upper
body and gill plates. Square tail, no spots.
Habitat: Lake Ontario. May ascend cold-water streams in fall.
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Buoys
Duffin
Boat Launching Ramp
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Cold-Water Fish and their Habitats
Muskellunge
Identification: No scales on lower half of gill plate.
Vertical bars and no yellow bean-shaped horizontal
marks.
Habitat: Lake Scugog, Simcoe (Cooks Bay).
Yellow Perch
Identification: Two dominant dorsal fins. Yellow with
black vertical bars.
Habitat: Lakes Scugog and Simcoe. Lake Ontario Frenchman’s Bay and off piers.
300
270
Northern Pike
Identification: Scales on entire gill cover. Yellow
bean-shaped marks running horizontally along sides.
Habitat: Lake Simcoe. Lake Ontario - Frenchman’s
Bay good right after ice-out.
Walleye (Yellow Pickerel)
Identification: Two prominent dorsal fins, large
opaque eyes, white tip on bottom of tail.
Habitat: Lakes Scugog and Simcoe - early spring and
winter ice fishing. River - Talbot River, early spring. Some
protected areas and fish sanctuaries.
Blackstock
Port Perry
Information
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