Southern Ontario offers some of Canada's best and diverse fly fishing with Northumberland offering many waterways and public entry points all outlined in our Outdoor Adventures Map Guide.
The Ganaraska River is an intimate trout stream with large, beautiful steelheads (rainbow trout) and big educated browns (brown trout). The river runs through the town of Port Hope and empties into Lake Ontario. It's well known for the mindboggling spring run of steelhead and the annual fall run of salmon – any fly anglers dream. Many conservation areas along the river have public access points.
Some insider information: Evergreen Valley Retreat in Dartford lies right on Percy Creek that is prime for fly fishing. Open May to October, it makes an excellent accommodation for you and your fishing buddies.
Some of the best smallmouth bass fishing is right here in southern Ontario. You're just a short drive or VIA Rail train ride away from Toronto or Kingston. After the spring hatches, anglers turn their attention to the outstanding smallmouth. The Trent River part of the Trent-Severn Waterway is a great river to fly fish for bass, as well as many other species of fish. Pike and gar pike also love these waters and are a great catch on a fly rod. Rice Lake holds some trophy smallmouth and with a wide variety of sites, you will always be able to find the perfect fishing location.
Fly fishing for carp is one of the great Ontario challenges. The Trent and Ganaraska Rivers have excellent carp fishing, while fly fishing for carp in Northumberland rivers and lakes is superb. Carp are, without a doubt, the hardest fresh water species to get on a fly. When they do bite, they will test your gear in every way possible. If you're looking for a new and exciting fly fishing opportunity, have a go at carp!
With many streams and two large rivers in the watershed within Northumberland, this area is prime for fly anglers. The many species of fish and diversity of the waters makes Northumberland County your next fly fishing adventure.
Please remember to fish responsibly and have fun!
Cold Creek Fly Fishers (Fly Fishing Club) Coldcreekflyfishers.org