For many people, nothing is more relaxing than sitting on the edge of a creek or lake, listening to the gentle sounds of water lapping against the shore and casting a line into the cool waters.

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Licenses & Regulations

Fishing Licenses: If you are a Canadian resident under 18 or over 65 you do not need a fishing license. For individuals over 18 years, or for international visitors, it is necessary to purchase both a fishing license AND an “outdoors card” (the only exception being that when the fishing license is valid for one day only, an outdoors card is not required). We suggest you refer to the Ministry of Natural Resources determine what type of license and card you require. This link also outlines fishing regulations.

It is also possible to reach the Ministry of Natural Resources Information Centre at 1-800-667-1940.

To obtain a fishing license and outdoors card if you have NEVER owned an outdoors card:

If you wish to begin fishing immediately, and would only like to purchase a one day fishing license, you DO NOT need an outdoors card. These licenses may be purchased at Service Ontario Centres, or retail outdoors/sporting shops, including:

Bill’s Live Bait and Tackle – 858 Upper James Street, Hamilton, (905) 388-5873
Burns Fishing – Suite 1, 685 Plains Road East, Burlington (905) 681-8803
Canadian Tire Burlington Fairview – 777 Guelph Line (905) 639-6711
Canadian Tire Burlington North – 2070 Appleby Line (905) 335-8733
Canadian Tire Hamilton Centre – Hamilton Centre Mall (905) 549-1336
Canadian Tire Hamilton Main – 304 Main Street East (905) 528-8403
Canadian Tire Stoney Creek – 686 Queenston Road (905) 560-1601
Fishing World Outdoor Center – 2411 Barton Street East, Hamilton (905) 573-2288
Tackle Shack – 26 Garfield Avenue South, Hamilton, (905) 549-6731

If you wish to begin fishing immediately, fishing licenses and temporary Outdoors Cards are available at Service Ontario Centres (not Service Ontario kiosks or Service Canada Centres). Some Service Ontario Centres are connected to MNR (Ministry of Natural Resources) offices, but only the service centres themselves are able to issue fishing licenses. The closest Service Ontario Centres include:
 

Aurora – 50 Bloomington Road West, R.R. #2
Brampton – 1^st Floor, 7765 Hurontario Street
Guelph – 1 Stone Road West
Hamilton – 119 King Street West
Milton – 2^nd Floor, 2800 Highpoint Drive
The phone number for all Service Ontario locations is 1-800-267-8097

Call 1-800-387-7011 and an application for an outdoors card and fishing license will be mailed to you. You will not be licensed to fish until you receive your license and card in the mail.

To obtain a fishing license if you have a VALID outdoors card:

If you wish to begin fishing immediately, you may visit any of the Service Ontario Centres or retail outdoor/sporting shops listed above.

 To obtain a fishing license /outdoors card if you have an EXPIRED outdoors card:

• If you wish to begin fishing immediately, you may visit any of the Service Ontario Centres listed above to renew your card by purchasing a temporary card/license. A permanent card will be mailed to you.
• If you wish to begin fishing immediately, you can purchase a fishing license while renewing your card (your card must have expired) online in the Ministry of Natural Resources Store. This process will provide you with a printout, which when carried with your expired card, acts as a valid card/license.
• You can also renew your card and purchase a license by calling 1-800-288-1155, but you will not be licensed to fish until you receive your new card in the mail.
• Those in possession of an outdoors card should receive a renewal package in the mail the fall before their card expires. This package maybe used to renew the outdoors card by mail. You will not be licensed to fish until you receive your new card in the mail.

 Fishing Locations

(in order of closest proximity to Burlington within each category)

Conservation Halton Parks (905) 336-1158

Shoreline, fly and non-motorized boat fishing abound at three Conservation Halton parks. Reel in a rainbow or brown trout, northern pike, bass, perch and other great tasting pan fish. Remember a valid Ontario Fishing License is required for those 18 years of age and over and Ontario Fishing regulations apply.

Grindstone Creek- From the Burlington Bay estuary upstream to Waterdown, the lower reaches of Grindstone Creek provide fishing opportunities for resident fish species such as smallmouth bass and migratory species such as rainbow trout, lake-run brown trout, chinook salmon and white sucker. Northern pike, black crappie, white bass, white perch and brown bullhead are commonly angled from the estuary.

Above the Escarpment, the fish community is dominated by forage fish species such as creek chub and white sucker. Largemouth bass, smallmouth bass and pumpkinseed may also be found.

The Hayesland Swamp, located upstream of 5th Concession West, forms the headwaters of Grindstone Creek. This wetland offers a warm water fishery for species such as largemouth bass, yellow perch, pumpkinseed, brown bullhead and carp.

Sixteen Valley Conservation Area- Located in the lower reaches of Sixteen Mile Creek, this small park offers angling opportunities for resident smallmouth bass and seasonal angling opportunities for rainbow trout and white sucker (spring) and chinook salmon (fall).

Carlisle Conservation Area -The Carlisle Conservation Area is located within the village of Carlisle along Bronte Creek, east and west of Centre Road. Fishing opportunities are generally restricted to pumpkinseed, creek chub and white sucker. Northern pike and brown trout may also be angled in the slow-moving waters.

Sixteen Mile Creek - The lower reaches of the Sixteen Mile Creek, downstream from Milton, provide fishing opportunities for smallmouth bass and migratory species such as rainbow trout, lake-run brown trout, chinook salmon and white sucker.

Upstream from Milton to the Kelso Reservoir, a resident brown trout population provides angling opportunities throughout the spring and summer months. Adult rainbow trout (steelhead) are present here in the spring during spawning. Juvenile rainbow trout can also be caught prior to their downstream migration to Lake Ontario. It is recommended that these fish be released to return as adults. Upstream of the Kelso Reservoir, the West Branch splits into a network of tributaries that arise in headwater wetlands above the Niagara Escarpment. Brook trout are found in several of these tributaries.

Campbellville Conservation Area- The Campbellville Conservation Area is located within the village of Campbellville in the headwaters of the Sixteen Mile Creek, at the intersection of Campbellville Road and Guelph Line. Formerly stocked with trout, angling opportunities in this small pond are restricted to pumpkinseed, creek chub and white sucker.

Kelso Conservation Area - Fish the reservoir for rainbow and brown trout, large and smallmouth bass, black crappie, yellow perch and pumpkinseed. Fish from the shore or a non-motorized boat. Downstream from the dam, adult rainbow trout (steelhead) can be caught through late spring.

Hilton Falls Conservation Area - Fish the reservoir from shore for largemouth bass which may exceed 5 lbs. No boating is allowed on the reservoir. Brook trout can be caught in the tributaries of Sixteen Mile Creek which flows through the park.

Mountsberg Conservation Area - This site is an anglers mecca for largemouth bass with fish hitting the scales at more than 5 lbs. The shallow weedy waters of the reservoir also include northern pike, black crappie, pumpkinseed and brown bullhead. Fish from shore or non-motorized boats.

Burns Conservation Area - Formerly stocked with trout, this small pond in the headwaters of the Bronte Creek watershed provides an excellent venue for family fishing. A boardwalk at the south end of the pond provides angling access for physically challenged persons and picnic areas are available. Largemouth bass and pumpkinseed (sunfish) provide consistent action during the summer months. Although most largemouth bass are small (less than a pound), some as high as three pounds have been angled at Burns.

Conservation Hamilton (905) 525-2181

Fifty Point Conservation Area- Anglers will love the variety of fishing opportunities at Fifty Point. Fish for salmon in Lake Ontario or catch rainbow trout and bass in the conservation area's stocked pond. Fishing is free with park admission. Salmon charters are available.

Christie Lake Conservation Area- Christie Lake’s nine ponds are stocked with rainbow trout from the last Saturday in April to early July, but you can fish well into September. All ponds are a short trip from the lake and Pond #8 is specially designed to be accessible to the physically handicapped. Fishing is free with park admission.

Valens Conservation Area - Located near Cambridge in the headwaters of Spencer Creek, this is a 300-hectare paradise for outdoor lovers. Beneath the surface of our pristine lake is a healthy underwater world populated by huge northern pike, largemouth bass, catfish and pan fish. The lake can be fished from the last Saturday in June until March 31st. Fishing is free with park admission. Canoe, rowboat and ice hut rentals are available. Bait can also be purchased. Be sure not to miss the popular John Burns Memorial Fishing Derbies, which take place on the second Saturday in July and the last Sunday in September. Dozens of great prizes are up for grabs in both junior and adult categories making this day popular with both serious anglers and families.

Ontario Provincial Parks

Bronte Creek - From Bronte Harbour upstream to Lowville, the lower reaches of Bronte Creek provide fishing opportunities for resident fish species such as smallmouth bass and migratory species such as rainbow trout, lake-run brown trout, Chinook salmon and white sucker. Special regulations, including permanent sanctuaries, seasonal sanctuaries and extended fall seasons apply to various sections of the lower reaches of Bronte Creek. Between Lowville and Progreston (Carlisle), Bronte Creek and its tributaries support a resident brook and brown trout fishery. Brook trout are native to the watershed while brown trout were introduced in the 1950’s. Upstream of Progreston (Carlisle), Bronte Creek and its tributaries are relatively pristine and support resident brook trout. Brown trout were stocked in Bronte Creek upstream of Progreston in the 1950’s and remnant populations of this species may still occur. Annual stocking of rainbow trout (average 50,000 fry and fingerlings) and chinook salmon (average 35,000 fry and fingerlings) is carried out by the Ministry of Natural Resources downstream of Lowville. Brown trout (average 13,000 fry and fingerlings) are usually stocked off Bronte Harbour.

Fish 4 Trout – Fish 4 Trout is a 3 acre pond on private property which is stocked with Pink Striped Rainbow Trout. Rock Bass, pumpkinseed sunfish, black crappie, and carp also live in the pond. No license is required to fish in this area. Visitors are charged for admission and then per pound of fish caught. Fish 4 Trout is family friendly, and has many games and activities for children, as well as picnic tables and covered shelters. Rod rentals and bait are available on site. Fish 4 Trout also welcomes experienced fly fishers.

Bait Retailers

Artificial Bait

Canadian Tire stores – artificial bait only (see license information for locations)

Live Bait

Fishing Events

During Ontario’s Family Fishing Week (July 3-11, 2010), and Ontario’s Family Fishing Weekend (February 19-21, 2011), Canadian Residents do NOT need a fishing license to fish! All angling regulations still apply.

Hamilton Harbour Fishing Derby (August 14, 2010) is a family friendly catch and release event, which also features other activities and programs.

References

Fishing Location information from the Conservation Halton and Conservation Hamilton fishing info pages.  Directions to locations from the Conservation Halton, Conservation Hamilton, Friends of Bronte Creek, and Fish 4 Trout websites.

Related Links

• Fishing Bronte Creek
• Fishing Conservation Halton
• Fishing Conservation Hamilton
• Waterfront