About the river: The Grand begins in the highlands of Dufferin and Grey counties.
Access: Numerous access points at municipal bridges.
Species: Smallmouth bass, carp, yellow perch and pike.
Fishing Rivers and Streams
This webpage provides information on river access points for fishing, on properties owned by the GRCA or where access is achieved through a municipal right of way.
Remember that most land along rivers is privately owned and is not available for access unless you have the landowner's permission.
Go here for important safety information.
Grand River
Grand River - Dundalk to Belwood
Grand River - Shand Dam to West Montrose
About the river: This stretch of the Grand, known as the Tailwater, is a world-renowned brown trout fishery. Note that river levels can change rapidly because of releases from Shand Dam (Belwood Lake). Special fishing regulations in effect in this area.
Access: Easy access at more than a dozen marked access points, many of them at bridges. Elora Gorge Conservation Area is in this section.
Species: Brown trout, smallmouth bass, northern pike, walleye, carp, white sucker, bullhead and yellow perch.
Grand River - West Montrose to Bridgeport
About the river: This section of the Grand is best fished from a canoe or other small boat, though there are also good areas for shorebound or wading angles.
Access: Several trails and public parks provide access.
Species: Smallmouth bass, northern pike, carp, panfish
Grand River - Bridgeport to Cambridge
About the river: The closeness of big cities makes this a popular spot for casual fishing. Kids like it because it's an easy bike ride away.
Access: Numerous access points at public parks, bridges and trails.
Species: Smallmouth bass, pike, carp, black crappie, panfish, redhorse suckers.
Grand River - Cambridge to Paris
About the river: A good stretch to fish from a canoe.
Access: Numerous access points at bridges and along the Cambridge to Paris Rail Trail.
Species: Smallmouth bass, pike, crappie, carp, sunfish, rock bass and walleye.
Grand River - Paris to Brantford
About the river: This is known as the Exceptional Waters Reach, in part because of the high quality of the fishing. Great for wading or fishing from a canoe or drift boat. Special fishing regulations in effect in this area.
Access: You can enter the water from municipal parks in downtown Paris. Access from Brant Conservation Area or several municipal parks in Brantford.
Species: Smallmouth bass, rainbow trout, brown trout, walleye, channel catfish, black crappie, carp, redhorse suckers and panfish.
Grand River - Brantford to Caledonia
About the river: A slow-moving section of the river that offers a wide-variety of fishing.
Access: Easy access at bridges and public parks. This area is popular with power boaters.
Species: Smallmouth bass, walleye, rainbow trout, black crappie, white crappie, mooneye, freshwater drum, northern pike, carp and panfish.
Grand River - Caledonia to Dunnville
About the river: The river is wide a shallow from Caledonia to Cayuga, with small islands, riffles and holes suitable for wading or canoeists. The river deepens and widens form Cayuga to Dunnville making it more suitable for powerboats.
Access: Access from road bridges and community parks on Highway 54 at Caledonia, York, Cayuga and Dunnville.
Species: Walleye, rainbow trout, smallmouth bass, carp, channel catfish, bullhead, mooneye, black crappie, largemouth bass, northern pike, freshwater drum, longnose gar and panfish.
Grand River - Dunnville to Lake Erie
About the river: A wide variety of fishing opportunities are available in this area whether you're after river species or want to make your way to the lake.
Access: Boat launches at Byng Island Conservation Area or at private marinas in Dunnville below the dam. Shoreline fishing and a concrete ramp at Port Maitland at the river's mouth.
Species: Walleye, rainbow trout, smallmouth bass, northern pike, channel catfish, mooneye, yellow perch, white bass, white perch, American shad, freshwater drum, crappie, panfish, bullhead, carp.
Other rivers and streams
About the river: The section of the Conestogo River between Conestogo Dam and the Grand river offers a variety of fishing with multiple access points.
Access: Conestogo Lake Conservation Area just below Conestogo Dam. Local access points at Glen Allan, Macton Bridge and Wallenstein.
Species: Pike, smallmouth bass, brown trout, perch, walleye and carp.
About the river: The Eramosa River flows through forested regions in Halton Region and Wellington County before merging with the Speed River in Guelph.
Access: Most of the river flows through private land and landowner permission is required to access the river. Some access is available at municipal roads and bridges.
Species: Smallmouth bass, brook trout, brown trout, pike.
About the river: The Nith flows through a largely rural area, dotted by towns such as New Hamburg, Ayr and Paris, before entering the Grand at Paris.
Access: There is access to the river at some bridges and municipal parks in towns and villages. Most of the river flows through private lands.
Species: Smallmouth bass, pike rainbow trout, walleye, brown trout, carp.
About the river: The Speed flows through rural areas of Wellington County before it reaches Guelph Lake reservoir, created by Guelph Dam. It continues through Guelph and finally reaches the Grand in Cambridge.
Access: The Speed is accessible in Guelph Lake Conservation Area, at bridge crossings and at public parks, particularly in urban areas.
Species: Above Guelph Lake, fish for brook trout, smallmouth bass and white sucker. Below Guelph Dam fish for smallmouth bass, largemouth bass, northern pike bullhead, carp and panfish.
About the creek: The creek flows through the sandy soils of Oxford and Brant counties before meeting the Grand near Brantford. It is known as a high quality trout stream. Special fishing regulations in effect in this area. During dry spells, anglers may be asked to voluntarily cut back their fishing.
Access: There is access from several bridge crossings. In Burford, use Lion's Park on Maple Avenue.
Species: Brown trout, rainbow trout, brook trout.