Fishing Grand River Conservation Areas

About the conservation area: 8282 Wellington County Road 18, near Fergus (Google Map of conservation area location). A 12-kilometre-long reservoir created by the construction of Shand Dam in 1942. Visit the Belwood Lake page for more information.

Access: A double ramp concrete boat launch provides access to the reservoir. Motorized boats allowed. A second public launch is in the village of Belwood at the north end of the reservoir.

Species: Pike, smallmouth bass, yellow perch, crappie, walleye, bullhead, carp in the reservoir. Brown trout are found in the river downstream of the dam. In the winter, ice fishing for perch, walleye and northern pike. The pond next to the Hampton Barn is stocked with trout for children aged 13 and under.

About the conservation area: 119 Jennings Road, Brantford (Google Map of conservation area location). The conservation area is nestled in a large bend in the Grand River. Visit the Brant page for more information.

Access: Direct access to the river at several places within the conservation area. A gravel boat launch is available outside the conservation area entrance.

Species: Smallmouth bass, walleye, rainbow trout, pike, channel catfish and carp. Several small ponds in the conservation area have carp.

About the conservation area: 9 Haldimand Trail, Dunnville (Google Map of conservation area location). Rental canoes available. Visit the Byng Island page for more information.

Access: Three concrete boat launches provide access to the Grand both above and below the Dunnville Dam. Lake Erie is about 7 kilometres downstream.

Species: Rainbow trout, walleye, largemouth bass, smallmouth bass, pike, crappie, channel catfish, bullhead, carp, suckers, freshwater drum. 

About the conservation area: 6580 Wellington County Road 11, Wallenstein (Google Map of conservation area location). A large reservoir created by Conestogo Dam. Two arms stretch six kilometres. Visit the Conestogo Lake page for more information.

Access: A double ramp concrete boat launch provides access to the reservoir. Powerboats are allowed. Fishing is also popular in the Conestogo River below the dam.

Species: In the reservoir, fish for perch, pike, walleye, crappie and smallmouth bass. In the river, below the dam, fish for brown trout, pike, smallmouth bass and walleye. 

About the conservation area: 7400 Wellington County Road 21 (Google Map of conservation area location). The conservation area lies on both sides of the 22 metre deep Elora Gorge. The conservation area is within a world-renowned brown trout fishery. Visit the Elora Gorge page for more information.

Access: Several access points within the conservation area.

Species: Brown trout, smallmouth bass, walleye, northern pike, carp. 

About the conservation area: 7743 Conservation Drive, Guelph (Google Map of conservation area location). A 240-hectare reservoir formed by the construction of the Guelph Dam on the Speed River. Non-motorized boats or electric motors only. Visit the Guelph Lake page for more information.

Access: Three boat ramps within the conservation area, including two with docks. Kayaks available for rent.

Species: In the reservoir, fish for smallmouth bass, largemouth bass, black crappie, pike and panfish. 

About the conservation area: 625 Westmount Road North, Waterloo (Google Map of conservation area location). The Laurel Reservoir is created by a dam on Laurel Creek. Visit the Laurel Creek page for more information.

Access: Access throughout the conservation area for canoes.

Species: Carp, bullhead 

About the conservation area: 034606 Sideroad 21-22, Grand Valley (Google Map of conservation area location). Luther Lake reservoir is created by a dam on Black Creek. The lake is about 1,400 hectares. Visit the Luther Marsh page for more information.

Access: Four marked boat launches. No water access before July 31. Non-motorized boats allowed from July 31 to Sept. 1. Motorized boats allowed after goose hunting season opens. Caution is advised as the reservoir is shallow, weedy and full of stumps. 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.

Species: Primarily bait or forage fish. Yellow perch and brown bullhead are present.

About the conservation area: 468 Pinehurst Road, Paris (Google Map of conservation area location). Pinehurst Lake is a 9-hectare Kettle Lake with a maximum depth of 35 feet. Visit the Pinehurst Lake page for more information.

Access: One boat launch. No motorized boats allowed.

Species: Largemouth bass, black crappie, bluegill, pumpkinseed sunfish. Ice fishing available in the winter.

About the conservation area: 161 Falls Street South, Rockwood (Google Map of conservation area location). The Rockwood reservoir is created by a small dam on the Eramosa River. Visit the Rockwood page for more information.

Access: Easy access to the reservoir for non-motorized boats at the Harris Mill Ruins (when it's not reserved for a function) or by the beach. Rental canoes available.

Species: Carp, bullhead, largemouth bass, smallmouth bass, rainbow trout and brown trout. 

About the conservation area: 450 Avenue Road, Cambridge (Google Map of conservation area location). Shade's Mills reservoir is created by a dam on Mill Creek. Visit the Shade's Mills page for more information.

Access: Boat ramps and easy access for non-motorized boats. Electric motors allowed. Rental canoes available.

Species: Smallmouth bass, largemouth bass, black crappie, northern pike, yellow perch, panfish. Ice fishing available in the winter.