Luther Marsh

Non-motorized watercraft including canoes, kayaks and rowboats are allowed starting July 31. Before September 1, you may use the two launches located down the 3 kilometres road. Starting September 1, canoes and kayaks can be put in the water at any of the other boat launch areas. The north edge of the lake has orange markers to restrict access to a wildlife sanctuary and heronry.

Boat Registration Form: For safety reasons, a boat access form including emergency contact information must be completed by anyone using any watercraft at Luther Marsh. Download the Luther Marsh boat registration form (600 KB PDF) or fill one out at the kiosk.

This is a multi-use property. To help plan your visit, please note gun hunting is permitted in prescribed areas on Mondays, Wednesdays, Fridays and Saturdays during the fall/winter hunting season.

After September 1, both interior roads are open to motor vehicles and motorboats are permitted. There are four marked boat launches. Boaters should be cautious because Luther Lake is shallow, weedy and full of stumps. Winds can create dangerous conditions. Keep all safety equipment current. Maximum 25 HP.

Boat Registration Form: For safety reasons, a boat access form including emergency contact information must be completed by anyone using any watercraft at Luther Marsh. Download the Luther Marsh boat registration form (PDF) or fill one out at the kiosk.

This is a multi-use property. To help plan your visit, please note gun hunting is permitted in prescribed areas on Mondays, Wednesdays, Fridays and Saturdays during the fall/winter hunting season.

Fishing is permitted outside of the sanctuary areas. Only perch, bullhead and minnows are in the lake. A small amount of angling for yellow perch occurs. The water is shallow and dense aquatic vegetation causes low oxygen conditions in winter. Luther Lake is relatively poor fish habitat.

Go to our Fishing page for more information on fishing in the Grand River watershed.

This is a multi-use property. To help plan your visit, please note gun hunting is permitted in prescribed areas on Mondays, Wednesdays, Fridays and Saturdays during the fall/winter hunting season.

There are two marked trails in Luther Marsh Wildlife Management Area.

The East Launch Trail begins at the entrance at the parking lot. Follow the trail south for an easy six kilometre ride or hike along the interior road.

The North Launch Trail heads west from the main parking lot. Also called the Bootlegger Bike Trail, it runs 11 kilometres from the dam. A cyclist can continue four kilometres further to the south end of the road and complete a 32 kilometre round trip by using the township roads to return to the dam. Please stay on the marked trails.

This is a multi-use property. To help plan your visit, please note gun hunting is permitted in prescribed areas on Mondays, Wednesdays, Fridays and Saturdays during the fall/winter hunting season.

A picnic area is located at the main entrance. All garbage must be carried out of the conservation area or put in containers at the main entrance.

This is a multi-use property. To help plan your visit, please note gun hunting is permitted in prescribed areas on Mondays, Wednesdays, Fridays and Saturdays during the fall/winter hunting season.

Hunt for geese, waterfowl, deer, ruffed grouse, woodcock and rabbits/hares. All hunting activities require a GRCA permit and must follow the provincial and federal hunting regulations for WMU #80. More information is provided on our Hunting page.

NOTE: Gun hunting is NOT permitted on Tuesdays or Thursdays, except during controlled deer hunts or when opening day falls on a Tuesday or Thursday. Gun hunting on Sundays is never allowed at Luther Marsh.

More than 263 bird species have been recorded at Luther Marsh, making it one of the most important birding areas in Ontario. Visit the Birding pages of our website for more information.

The area is also home to 35 species of mammals, ten species of amphibians and 11 species of reptiles. Unusual sightings include the northern flying squirrel, Butler's garter snake and the spotted turtle.

This is a multi-use property. To help plan your visit, please note gun hunting is permitted in prescribed areas on Mondays, Wednesdays, Fridays and Saturdays during the fall/winter hunting season.

Visitors must enter and register at the gatehouse. Day users and daily hunters please register and pay for your visit through our online ePass system upon arrival. Membership card holders please use ePass to register your visit.

Three vault toilets are available.

The area has four boat launches that can be used after September 1 when interior roads open to vehicles. Until September 1st, the launches located down the 3 kilometres road can be used for water access. Non-motorized watercraft including canoes, kayaks and rowboats are allowed starting July 31.

Hunting dogs are allowed in open hunting season and on open hunting days. Contact area staff for more information.

Other dogs are welcome, but must be on a two-metre leash and under control at all times. Please clean up after your dog. Dog owners can be fined if these regulations are not followed.

• Grocery, hardware and drug stores can be found in Grand Valley.
• Medical services are available at Headwaters Hospital, 100 Rolling Hills Drive, Orangeville or the Grand Valley Medical Clinic, 21 Main Street North, Grand Valley.
• Visit the Dufferin County Tourism and Wellington County Tourism websites for more information about the area.