Our Environments Lend Themselves to Fishing!
We offer fishing experiences that will appeal to beginners and seasoned anglers. Try lake fishing, pond fishing, river fishing and ice fishing.
Please observe fishing seasons and regulations for Fisheries Management Zone 16 at ontario.ca/fishing. We encourage you to follow voluntary CVC catch and release regulations.
Ice fishing is only permitted at Island Lake Conservation Area.
Our Fishing Spots
Island Lake features a 400-acre lake where you can fish by boat or practice shore fishing at the water’s edge. Try one of our 10 accessible fishing piers on the south shore. Ice fishing is available throughout the winter months, conditions permitting. A variety of fish make Island Lake their home, including largemouth bass, Northern pike, black crappie, yellow perch and other pan fish.
Learn more about Island Lake Conservation Area.
Sustainable Fishing Practices and Regulations
Please review our Voluntary Harvest Limits, Live Bait Ban and summary of Fisheries Management Regulations for Zone 16.
Permitted Fishing Locations in the Park
Visitors can only fish from the shore on the south side of the lake (the same side as parking lots P1 – P4). Fishing is not permitted on any bridges or from the north or south dams.
Between January and March, visitors can ice fish from accessible zones of the lake when at least 5 inches of ice has formed. Ice surfaces can only be accessed from parking lot P1 (in front of the Rental Centre). Fishing is not permitted in areas marked restricted.
Fishing Sales and Rentals
In summer months we offer minnows (river bait) and worms by the dozen. During winter we offer 3-4 inch emerald shiners (minnows). A variety of artificial lures are also available all year. These are available for purchase at the park.
Available Rentals*
- Fishing Rods (TackleShare program)
- Watercraft
- Ice Fishing Rods
- Hole Auguring Services
- Ice Hut Rentals
Rent an Ice Hut
*Rentals vary by season. Subject to availability.
Ken Whillans features two ponds with small fishing piers. The Credit River also runs through the west side of the property. Orchard Pond features Northern pike as well as stocked rainbow trout each spring. Take a hike over to Kidd Pond to try and catch a spirited largemouth bass. When fishing back at the river you will find brown trout.
Ice fishing is not permitted at Ken Whillans. The park is closed for the winter.
Learn more about Ken Whillans Conservation Area.
Sustainable Fishing Practices and Regulations
Please review our Voluntary Harvest Limits, Live Bait Ban and summary of Fisheries Management Regulations for Zone 16.
Fishing Sales and Rentals
We offer worms by the dozen. A variety of artificial lures are also available for purchase at the park.
Available Rentals*
- Fishing Rods (TackleShare program)
*Rentals vary by season. Subject to availability.
Belfountain features the Credit River running through the property where you can enjoy fly fishing.
A short walk from the main parking lot allows access to the Credit River where you will find speckled trout above the dam and brown trout below the dam. Remember to check the special catch limits for this area and stay at least 50 metres downstream of the dam.
Please bring your own equipment.
Ice fishing is not permitted at Belfountain Conservation Area. The park is closed during the winter.
Learn more about Belfountain Conservation Area.
Sustainable Fishing Practices and Regulations
Please review our Voluntary Harvest Limits, Live Bait Ban and summary of Fisheries Management Regulations for Zone 16.
The Credit River is the backbone of the Upper Credit property. This area is a critical coldwater fish community that supports brook trout fishing.
Please bring your own equipment.
Ice fishing is not permitted at Upper Credit Conservation Area.
Black Creek is a coldwater stream that flows through Limehouse. You can stream fish for brook trout by practicing catch and release.
Please bring your own equipment.
Learn more about Limehouse Conservation Area.
Permitted Fishing Locations in the Park
There are limited areas where the water’s edge is accessible for fishing. Please refer to the trail map for access points.
Photo Gallery
![A father, son and daughter fishing together at Island Lake.](https://files.cvc.ca/cvc/uploads/2021/02/IslandLake-August-LB1808_3005.jpg)
![Two young children fishing on a fishing pier by a lake](https://files.cvc.ca/cvc/uploads/2021/02/Picture-032.jpg)
![Three adults and a dog posing outside an ice fishing hut, showing off their catches.](https://files.cvc.ca/cvc/uploads/2021/03/IMG_4014.jpg)
![A young boy with an adult, holding up a large bass at Island Lake.](https://files.cvc.ca/cvc/uploads/2021/02/Bass-Derby-Promo.jpg)
![A man and his young son standing together at the edge of the water at Ken Whillans, fishing.](https://files.cvc.ca/cvc/uploads/2021/02/Picture-238.jpg)
![Two men fishing at Terra Cotta Conservation Area.](https://files.cvc.ca/cvc/uploads/2021/02/TerraCotta20150811-89.jpg)
![A woman and child ice fishing at Island Lake Conservation Area.](https://files.cvc.ca/cvc/uploads/2021/03/CVC-IslandLake-LB1802_2842.jpg)
![Four friends sitting in a rented ice fishing hut, fishing at Island Lake Conservation Area.](https://files.cvc.ca/cvc/uploads/2021/03/Island-Lake-Conservation-Area-Credit-Valley-Orangeville-4.jpg)
Fishing Etiquette
Please keep the following in mind when angling or walking along the river:
- Do not litter. Bring a small bag and pick up litter on your way out.
- Respect other anglers who have arrived before you. Don’t intrude on their casting area. Walk quietly around others.
- Yell “fish on” when you hook a fish near other anglers. The other anglers will appreciate not getting their lines tangled.
- Offer to help those with less experience.
- Have fun and learn something every time you go out.
If canoeing or boating, please observe and obey all federal and provincial regulations.
Learn about fishing regulations in the Credit River Watershed.
Read the full Visitor Rules for our parks.
Upcoming Events
Fishing News
![Three people posing with a trophic and plaque](https://files.cvc.ca/cvc/uploads/2023/07/DSC_0054-1024x1024.jpg)
Cast a line at the 14th Annual Island Lake Bass Derby, running July 13 and 14 from 7 […]
![A group of people fishing, while standing on a dock at the edge of a body of water.](https://files.cvc.ca/cvc/uploads/2024/06/DSC05523-1024x1024.jpg)
Reeling in Fun Imagine a day spent on a tranquil lake with birds singing from the trees, as […]
![a person sitting on a bucket on a frozen lake ice fishing](https://files.cvc.ca/cvc/uploads/2020/01/IceFishing-1024x1024.jpg)
Thank you to all who participated in our Annual Ice Fishing Derby at Island Lake Conservation Area! We had […]
![](https://files.cvc.ca/cvc/uploads/2016/06/Bass-Derby-Promo-1024x767-1.jpg)
We Want Your Input!
Help Guide the Development of our Fisheries Management Plan
CVC is conducting this survey to better assess harvest, preferred species and other useful information. The results will be used to help guide the development of a fisheries management plan for Island Lake Conservation Area (ILCA).
Contact our Parks Team
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