Fishing in the Toronto Area

Tired of driving for hours to go fishing, this year I have prepared a list of possible fishing spots in the Toronto area.
One by one I will visit these spots and give my report.
If you have any information you can add please forward them to me at norm@normwright.com.

  Quick Links

   
Toronto Islands
Rice Lake
Little Lake
Heart Lake
Glen Haffy
Frenchman's Bay - Pickering

Whitby Harbour
Rouge Beach Park (Rouge Beach & Marsh)
Bay of Quinte
Tommy Thompson Park (Leslie Spit)
Heber Down (Devil's Den Pond)

Urban Fishing Sites Toronto Area
Port Hope - Salmon Run
Fishing Shallow Lakes & Ponds in Summer

 

Toronto Islands





 

 

 

Almost all of the channels within the islands will produce fish. I like to fish the larger main channel the most. You need to use fairly heavy lure to be able to cast into the weed beds. On really hot days pike can often be found in deeper water or in shade near boats.

"The pike opportunities on Toronto Islands during the last week of May is probably the best fishing in Toronto I've ever had," he said, noting the evening hours from 5 to 9 are probably the best times.

His secret? Large inline spinners, like a Mepps Black Fury 5, casted in and around weedbeds with a medium or medium-heavy spinning rod.

"Pretty much anywhere you see a weed bed is the perfect place to go," he said, noting the main channel on Centre Island is probably the best spot of all.

My Report

I was unable to get to the Islands. All the parking lots were full near the ferry. I suggest you take public transport to get downtown. Unfortunately this will involve lugging your gear.

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CENTRE ISLAND SCHEDULE (May 27 until September 5 )

*Please Note: Centre Island schedule will increase to every 15 minutes depending upon weather and crowd requirements.

Monday-Friday
Saturday/Sunday/Holidays
Departs City Departs Centre
Departs City Departs Centre
8:00 am 8:15 am 8:00 am 8:15 am
8:30 am 8:45 am
9:15 am 9:30 am 9:00 am 9:15 am
9:30 am 9:45 am 9:30 am 9:45 pm
10:00 am 10:15 am 10:00 am 10:15 am
10:30 am 10:45 am 10:30 am 10:45 am
11:00 am 11:15 am 11:00 am 11:15 am
11:30 am 11:45 am 11:30 am 11:45 am
12:00 PM 12:15 PM 12:00 PM 12:15 PM
12:30 PM 12:45 PM 12:30 PM 12:45 PM
1:00 PM 1:15 PM 1:00 PM 1:15 PM
1:30 PM 1:45 PM 1:30 PM 1:45 PM
2:00 PM 2:15 PM 2:00 PM 2:15 PM
2:30 PM 2:45 PM 2:30 PM 2:45 PM
3:00 PM 3:15 PM 3:00 PM 3:15 PM
3:30 PM 3:45 PM 3:30 PM 3:45 PM
4:00 PM 4:15 PM 4:00 PM 4:15 PM
4:30 PM 4:45 PM 4:30 PM 4:45 PM
5:00 PM 5:15 PM 5:00 PM 5:15 PM
5:30 PM 5:45 PM 5:30 PM 5:45 PM
6:00 PM 6:15 PM 6:00 PM 6:15 PM
6:30 PM 6:45 PM 6:30 PM 6:45 PM
7:00 PM 7:15 PM 7:00 PM 7:15 PM
7:30 PM 7:45 PM 7:30 PM 7:45 PM
8:00 PM 8:15 PM 8:00 PM 8:15 PM
8:30 PM 8:45 PM 8:30 PM 8:45 PM
9:00 PM 9:15 PM 9:00 PM 9:15 PM
9:30 PM 9:45 PM 9:30 PM 9:45 PM
10:00 PM 10:15 PM 10:00 PM 10:15 PM
10:45 PM 11:00 PM 10:30 PM 10:45 PM
11:15 PM 11:45 PM 11:00 PM 11:15 PM
11:30 PM 11:45 PM

Rice Lake

Walleye rig for Rice Lake

Gores Landing

 

Musky Bay

Musky Bay has much to offer. It is situated on the beautiful south shore of rice lake which is recognized by the fisheries department as being the most prolific lake in Ontario in terms of the number of fish per acre. The lake provides excellent fishing from May to October for small and largemouth bass, walleye, Muskie , and Bluegill and Sunfish. We have two screened-in fish cleaning houses with a plentiful supply of fresh spring water . For the convenience of our guests we offer complementary fish freezing facilities. A 450ft. rock break wall extends into the lake providing an excellent fishing pier.

Phone: 1-905-352-2221 ( Reservations )
(9:00am to 9:00pm)

Email: muskieb@eagle.ca
Web: www.muskiebayricelake.com

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Boat Rentals Description Daily 
Rate
14 ft.Boat Only  14 ft. Aluminum  $25
Boat & Motor 10 HP Manual Start  $60
  10 HP Electric Start  $65
Deluxe  14ft Fisherman . 25 HP Electric Start
Swivel Seats, Live-well, etc.
 $85
Bass Type 14ft/16ft 25/30 HP Electric Start, Bass Seats, Console, Platform, Live-well etc. $110
Larger Bass Type 50 HP, Storage Comp., gauges, other features as above  $130
Pontoon Boat 20ft 40 HP with Power Trim, accommodates up to 8 persons.  Wheelchair accessible, etc. $160
$105

Heart Lake - Brampton



Heart Lake Conservation Area:
10818 Heart Lake Road
416-667-6295

Rainbow Trout
Largemouth Bass
Mudhead Catfish

Located northwest of Toronto in the town of Brampton, the Heart Lake Conservation Area offers fishing for stocked rainbow trout in a large pond. Owned by the Toronto and Region Conservation Authority, Heart Lake is stocked with several thousand rainbow trout each year, most of which run one to two pounds in weight.

In keeping with the conservation authority’s policy to protect against invading species, all live baits except worms are prohibited at Heart Lake. Corn kernels are also widely used as bait, along with salmon eggs, small spinners, and small spoons. Fly fishing is popular, and effective.

A small population of largemouth bass is also present, and respond well to spinnerbaits. Some of these fish exceed three pounds.

Click here to find out about my summer project to produce a Heart Lake Fishing Map with depth contours.

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Glen Haffy



Glen Haffy

Rainbow Trout

Glen Haffy Conservation Area's hiking trails and vistas offer some of the most panoramic views in southern Ontario. Home to a trout pond stocked with rainbow trout, Glen Haffy also offers recreational fishers a great way to enjoy a summer afternoon, close to the city. This park is also home to a fish hatchery. Each year, thousands of rainbow trout are raised for stocking the ponds here and at Heart Lake Conservation Area. The proceeds generated by angling fees help fund the fish rearing program.

Admission

Adults $5.50
Seniors (60yrs and over) $4.25

Fishing

Adults $5.75; Children $2.85

To contact Glen Haffy Conservation Area, please call
905-584-2922

My Report

Basically 2 ponds for fishing with the kids. Got tangled constantly on broken lines. Left early. Will NOT return.

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Frenchman's Bay - Pickering





Frenchman's Bay

Walleye
Pike
Largemouth Bass
Smallmouth Bass
Perch

The docks in south side are private, but you can use it on the weekend and the docks in the east side are public. A nice public washroom and kids playgroud at the junction of Liverpool Road and Sandbar Road.

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Little Lake - Barrie

Little lake is a shallow lake that reaches depths of just over 15ft..the The perimeter of the lake is 7km .
There are extensive weedbeds throughout the lake with reeds and cattail sections bordering the shoreline. Submerged logs can also be found on the west end. These types of coverage can hold all the major fish species although northern pike and walleye will move to the deeper areas of the lake as the water warms in the summer .
A common method of fishing is to make long drifts across the lake utilizing a variety of weedless and semi-weedless jigs. There are a series of small bumps towards the middle of the lake that will concentrate fish.

Tel: 705-721-4691

My Report

Still a great way to spend the day fishing. Caught and released 6 pike ranging from 20 - 24 inches. Well worth the drive.

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Rouge Beach Park, Rouge Beach & Marsh









Rouge Beach Park, Rouge Beach & Marsh

Pike, Largemouth Bass, Smallmouth Bass, Perch
Brown Trout
Chinook Salmon, White Bass
(Late Summer Early Fall)

Rouge Beach Park is located at the terminus of Lawrence Avenue East, at the Rouge Hills Drive intersection. The park is a fifteen minute walk from the Rouge Hill GO train station and only five minutes walk from the Lawrence East 54 bus stop.

Location: 195 Rouge Hills Drive, Toronto

My Report

So far only fished for one hour. My wife was shopping and I was filling in time. Was getting bites all the time fishing the quiet water beside the parking lot. Will return later this week and update the report.





Urban Fishing Sites Toronto Area

 

Urban Fishing Sites Toronto Area

Where to catch what

Near Ontario Place for BIG pike... Ashbridges Bay, Bluffers Park, Humber Bay, Rouge River mouth...and so on .Pike, bass, panfish, trout, salmon can be had in all those locales... maybe even a walleye if you're really LUCKY!!

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Port Hope - Salmon Run

 

Runs start in mid-August, peak about mid-September

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Bay of Quinte



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Tommy Thompson Park    ( Leslie Street Spit )

Located on the Toronto waterfront, Tommy Thompson Park is a unique urban wilderness minutes from downtown. The park is located on a man-made peninsula, known as the Leslie Street Spit, which extends five km into Lake Ontario and is over 500 hectares in size. The Toronto Harbour Commissioners (now Toronto Port Authority) began construction of the spit in the late 1950s and, since that time, it has been the site for the disposal of dredged material from the Outer Harbour and surplus fill from development sites within Toronto.

The park is open on weekends and holidays and free parking is available in the parking lot inside the front gates on the west side or just outside of the front gates along Leslie St. and Unwin Ave. From the front gates you can hop on the free TTP Shuttle Van service that runs on weekends and holidays from 9am to 5:30pm, May through October. Please note that the TTP parking lot gates open on weekends and holidays at 9am and are closed and locked promptly at 6pm April to November and 4:30pm November to March.

Pike, Largemouth Bass, Smallmouth Bass, Perch
Coho Salmon, Chinook Salmon,
Brown Trout, Rainbow Trout
(Late Summer Early Fall)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

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Devil's Den Pond - Heber Down




What is this? (Note: Black spots are gravel)

 

 

My Report

Something happened at the pond this year.

Last year I found this pond. On two visits I caught a largemouth each time large enough to take home, but I released them.

This year most of the lily pads are gone. Out of a total of 5 visits I have caught:

3 crayfish
1 11 inch catfish
2 turtles
15 - 20 of the fry shown on the left.

Don't exactly know what this fish is. The faint pink line through the middle might suggest a baby rainbow but the eyes are very far apart as in a catfish.
I have contacted the Conservation Authority and requested information. Will update once I hear back.

I don't intend to return. No longer worth the parking fee and the 15 minute walk.

 

 

 

 



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