Great fishing is just minutes away from the urban areas of Waterloo Region. From the Grand River to the Conestogo River, there’s a wide variety of world-class recreational fishing in Southern Ontario’s largest watershed, which is also home to over half of the fish species in Canada. Whether you’re trolling for walleye or fly fishing for trout, it’s here in Waterloo Region – and all within close reach of the amenities of Kitchener, Waterloo, and Cambridge.
THE GRAND RIVER, Waterloo Region
The Grand River and its tributaries offer world-class recreational fishing, and is part of Southern Ontario’s largest watershed.
The Grand offers diverse fishing opportunities including trout, walleye, smallmouth bass and pike. Access points and species information available on the Grand River Conservation Authority website.
EXPLORING THE GRAND RIVER WITH ASHLEY RAE
Ashley Rae from SheLovesToFish.com took a fishing trip to Waterloo Region for a day of fishing on the Grand River and chronicled her experience in a blog. The excursion included a 9-kilometre kayak fishing experience targeting smallmouth bass. Click here to read her blog, “Exploring the Grand River!”
SHADE’S MILLS CONSERVATION AREA, Cambridge
Shade’s Mills is a day-use conservation area offering a great place to enjoy nature just a few minutes away from the city of Cambridge.
Favourite activities include swimming, canoeing and sport fishing. Anglers can fish in the 32-hectare (80-acre) reservoir, which was created by the construction of Shade’s Mills Dam. Fishing happens year-round at Shade’s Mills, as the conservation area offers ice fishing in the winter.
Northern pike, largemouth bass, smallmouth bass, yellow perch and black crappie are plentiful in the reservoir. Note that only electric motors are allowed.
LYNDON FISHING POND, New Dundee
Looking for a family-friendly fishing adventure? Lyndon Fishing Pond is stocked with delicious, healthy rainbow trout raised on site. Take home your catch, cleaned and ready for the BBQ! No fishing license required.
MORE INFORMATION
Learn more about fishing rules and regulations in Fisheries Management Zone 16 (FMZ 16).
The Record (April 2020) – Plenty of fishing spots in Waterloo Region
Check out the Grand River Fishing Derby, which takes place every July in Kitchener.
The Grand River Conservation Authority has more information on river flows, water safety, and information about their Grand River Parks.
MAPS
Download maps of the Grand from Anglers Atlas