If you’re a fly-fishing fan, Northumberland has some great options to enjoy.

The Ganaraska River

This is an ideal place to fly fish or watch this sport from the shore.

• The Ganaraska River runs through the town of Port Hope and empties into Lake Ontario.
• Spring is ideal for large, beautiful steelheads (rainbow trout) and big brown trout.
• Fall sees the annual run of salmon – any fly anglers dream (see fishing regulations for limitations).
• Carp fishing is also done here with fly rods.
• Many conservation areas along the river have public access points.

The Trent River

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.

• The Trent River passes through Hastings, winds its way up to Trent River, then down to Healey Falls and Campbellford.
• Serious anglers turn their attention to the outstanding smallmouth found here.
• Pike and gar pike are a great catch here on a fly rod. Fishing for carp is superb, offering an exciting sportfishing challenge.

Enjoy fishing year round!

Visit Rice Lake to ice fish for panfish such as perch, crappie and sunfish.

• Check the zone 17 fishing regulations for limits and exceptions before heading out.
• If you don’t have a fishing license and would like to try ice fishing for the first time, Canadian residents can enjoy fishing license-free during the annual Ontario Family Fishing Weekend in February.

Safety Tips

The thickness of ice should always be checked before venturing out onto it.

• Ice does not freeze at a uniform thickness across most lakes and rivers. This can be particularly evident at the start of the winter season when near-shore ice is often much thicker and safer than ice further out.
• Anglers should check thickness regularly with a spud bar or auger as they move farther out on the ice. When ice is building, it makes a booming sound.
• Ice that forms over flowing water, springs, pressure cracks, old ice holes or around the mouths of rivers and streams can be weaker than surrounding ice.
• The strongest ice is clear blue in colour. White or opaque ice is much weaker.
• Ice with a honeycombed look, common during thaws or in the spring, should be avoided.
• At least 20 cm (8 in. of clear blue ice is required for snowmobiles and 30 cm(12 in.) or more is needed for most light vehicles. Double these amounts if the ice is white or opaque.
• A layer of heavy snow on a frozen lake or river can insulate the ice below and slow down freezing.
• Remember to ALWAYS know your location, and never ice fish alone.
• Visit the Ontario Federation of Anglers and Hunters for more information – www.ofah.org