Master Anglers

Area communities are home to a range of fish species and the most diverse fish communities in the Ausable Bayfield Conservation Authority’s watershed. A fishing & paddling guide for Huron County is available from the Welcome Centre in Grand Bend.

oLD AuSABLE CHAnnEL

FISH A GREAT LAKE

Head out onto Lake Huron with Blue Line Fishing Charters (bluelinefishingcharters. com) or Grand Bend Fishing Charters (grandbendfishingcharters.com), both run out of Grand Bend from April to October. You’ll have the opportunity to catch King Salmon, Coho Salmon, Rainbow Trout, Lake Trout and Walleye on fully-equipped vessels with topnotch fishing tackle and electronics. According to local fisherman, trolling with downriggers and dipsy divers will yield the best catch in the lake.

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 them 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.

Photo: J. Baillie

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 Road. 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 waters of any watercourse.

FISHING LICENCE (Card & Tag)

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

Source: healthfitnessrevolution.com

1

FULL BODY STRENGTH

Battling even a small fish engages shoulders, back, arms, core and legs.

2

FAMILY BONDING

Family time promotes feelings of security and well-being.

3

BOOSTS IMMUNE SYSTEM

Sunshine is the best source of vitamin D.

4

PROMOTES RELAXATION

Time in nature with a focused task is akin to meditation.

5

IMPROVES CARDIOVASCULAR HEALTH

Fishing can burn an average of 200 calories an hour.

6

TEACHES SELF-RELIANCE

If you can fix a rod with just ingenuity, what else can you do?

7

BESTOWS PATIENCE

Fishing puts patience into practice.

8

ENCOURAGES TRAVEL

Fishers are among the most travelled.

9

ENJOY THE GREAT OUTDOORS

Fishing inspires a closer connection with nature.

10

IMPROVES BALANCE

Reeling in a fish in a canoe takes balance, core strength and flexibility.

Photo: B. Holden

Photo: J. Baillie

Ausable Bayfield Conservation Authority abca.on.ca Maitland Valley Conservation Authority mvca.on.ca Ontario Family Fishing ontariofamilyfishing.com