Fishing
Make fishing part of your summertime plan! Kempenfelt Bay is home to Perch, Smallmouth Bass, Whitefish, and Lake Trout.
Fishing by boat is allowed anywhere in Kempenfelt Bay.
Shoreline fishing along Barrie's waterfront is permitted except in the following areas:
- At the docks at the foot of Bayfield St., and at the Southshore Community Centre
- Near
all public beaches
Please note: A fishing license is required for anyone over the age of 18 and under 65 in Ontario.
For information on Ontario fishing licenses and regulations, click here: www.ontario.ca/travel-and-recreation/fishing
From the Ontario Ministry of Natural Resources and Forestry: Fishing and Hunting
Residents of Ontario are required to have an Outdoors Card in addition to a license to be able to fish & hunt in the province. Both the license and the Outdoors Card may be purchased from some sporting goods stores, tourist outfitters, hunting &
fishing lodges as well as the Service Ontario Centre's.
Licences can also be purchased online at www.ontario.ca/fishing or over the phone at 1-800-387-7011. Resident and non-resident anglers must buy the Outdoors
Card along with the license, with the exception of a one-day license, in which case an Outdoors Card is not issued.
For more information, please contact the Ministry of Natural Resources and Forestry at 1-800-387-7011. The Midhurst District
Office (just outside of Barrie) can be contacted at (705) 725-7500.
Fishing Tips!
• Beginning anglers might have more luck with live bait than with lures, since you don't have to master the art of casting to dangle live bait.
• Keep in mind that minnows generally catch larger fish than
worms, but during the summer worms usually result in the most bites and are therefore great for kids to catch the plentiful panfish out from the shores of Barrie's waterfront.
• Though weeds might catch your hook, they provide great hiding spots
for fish. Drop your bait just to the side of a weed bed to lure fish out.
• If you see minnows or small fish in the water, try dropping your lure or bait here to catch larger fish that might be feeding nearby.
• Remember that each
species of fish has an open season depending on your location. For information on fishing seasons, and for help in identifying your catch, click here www.ontario.ca/travel-and-recreation/fishing
Tips for Fishing in Kempenfelt Bay:
•
Expect to catch perch, smallmouth bass, rock bass, sunfish, and the odd walleye.
• If you get out ice fishing, or venture out early in the season, you can catch whitefish, lake trout and cisco (lake herring).
• Book your own charter
and have someone guide you to the best fishing holes on the lake.
• There are no boat rental services right on Kempenfelt Bay, so bring your own boat to launch at Barrie's public boat launches, or cast from anywhere along the shoreline except
from docks, beaches, walking trails, or the duck pond.
Tips for Fishing in Little Lake:
• Expect to catch pike, crappie, perch, largemouth bass and the occasional walleye.
• Beginning anglers should have the
most luck with live bait.
• In hot weather, fish from a boat near the deeper weed edges away from the shore, since the fish will seek cooler water.
For more fishing tips and information, check out the following websites:
Let's Fish Ontario! (Ontario Ministry of Natural Resources and Forestry)
*Download a copy of the Recreational Fishing Regulations Summary from this website for
all fishing regulations:
www.ontario.ca/travel-and-recreation/fishing
Canadian National Sportfishing Foundation
www.catchfishing.com
Gofish Ontario
www.gofishinontario.com
Ontario Federation of Hunters and Anglers
www.ofah.org
Environment Canada Weather Forecasts
https://weather.gc.ca/mainmenu/weather_menu_e.html
