Falls Reserve Conservation Area has a reputation for excellent year-round fishing. Rainbow trout and salmon migrate up the river in spring and fall. Smallmouth bass provide great fishing opportunities during the summer months.
The Falls area at the park is a hotspot for anglers and swimmers alike. Anglers need to be considerate and respectful of each other and other users of the area.
Fishing in Ontario
The Ontario Recreational Fishing Regulations Summary provides information on licenses, open and closed seasons and catch limits. This document is available to view at the Ministry of Natural Resources website (www.mnr.gov.on.ca). The summary also available as a .pdf file. Click the link below to confirm angling open season dates, catch limits and fishing license information.
2024 Fishing Ontario – Recreational Fishing Regulations Summary
Please be sure to read, understand and follow the rules regarding fishing in Ontario, including the requirements for Ontario’s Fishing Management Zone (FMZ) 16, related to the Maitland River.
Witness a Fishing Violation?
Report Resource Abuse to the MNRF TIPS line at 1-877-847-7667
Fishing Licences
You must purchase a Resident Fishing Licence unless you are under 18 years of age or 65 years of age or older. People who are under 18 years or are 65 or older do not need a license but have all the rights and responsibilities of people with a license. Visitors from outside the province require a Non-Resident Fishing License.
FRCA Stocked Trout Pond
Please note – the stocked pond is open daily starting April 27, 2024 and closes for the season on September 30, 2024. Fishing of trout at FRCA is prohibited until April 27, 2024. Anyone over the age of 12 is required to purchase a pond fishing permit at the Gatehouse.
FRCA purchases approximately 450 rainbow trout annually and the park receives no grants or funding for this expense. The cost of stocking the pond has risen to approximately approximately $6.00 per fish. The 2024 pond fishing permit fees are:
- Daily Adult Permit: $12.oo including HST (2 trout limit, must possess an Ontario Fishing Licence)
- Daily Youth Permit: $6.00 including HST (2 trout limit, ages 13 – 17, this age group does not require an Ontario Fishing Licence)
- Daily Child Permit: Free (12 and under, Ontario Fishing Licence not required but children must be accompanied by an adult who has an Adult Pond Permit)
Pond fishing permits are available at the park gatehouse or may be purchased on the day of angling by e-transfer payment to [email protected] .
The pond also contains a largemouth bass population. Largemouth bass caught in the pond will be catch and release only again for the 2024 season. This is to help with maintaining a sustainable largemouth bass fishery in the pond. Fishing of bass at FRCA is prohibited until June 22, 2024.
The pond has been the site of extensive naturalization efforts over the past decade. Trees, aquatic plants, and shrubs have been planted in and around the pond. A brood area for bass has been created along with nesting sites for birds and turtles.
Pond Fishing Rules
- The pond is open daily starting on April 27, 2024 and closes for the season on September 30th.
- The pond is open during daylight hours only.
- The use of barbless hooks is encouraged.
- Largemouth bass caught in the pond are catch and release only.
- Daily catch and possession limits, 2-trout with a Sports Fishing Licence (1-trout with Conservation Fishing License). Any injured/expired trout that are released are considered part of the angler’s limit under the permit.
- Please note that under provincial regulations if you assist a child under the age of 18 with fishing (casting a line, reeling in a line, baiting a hook etc.) you are considered to be fishing and you are required to have an Ontario Fishing Licence.
- Please be considerate and respectful of other anglers while fishing at the pond. Anyone violating the pond fishing rules forfeits their Pond Permit.
Tagged Fish
There are fish in the pond that have been tagged. Catch a tagged fish and win a FRCA Membership pass! The pass provides daily FRCA entry for a full year (value of $130.00). To be eligible for the prize, you must have purchased a pond permit prior to catching a tagged fish.
OFAH Tackle Share Program
No fishing equipment? No problem! Falls Reserve Conservation Area offers access to angling equipment for visitors thanks to the Ontario Federation of Anglers and Hunters Tackle Share program. It’s easy! Simply sign out a rod and reel and an assortment of tackle from the park Gatehouse. Once you’re finished, return the equipment so that others can give it a try.
Fishing Events
Ontario Family Fishing Events
Join in the province-wide opportunity for Canadian residents to experience fishing in Ontario waters without the otherwise mandatory fishing version outdoor card licence. Check out the websites below for more information:
Licence-free family fishing dates for 2023 are:
May 11 & 12, 2024 (12:01 a.m. Saturday to 11:59 p.m. Sunday)
June 15 & 16, 2024 (12:01 a.m. Saturday to 11:59 p.m. Sunday)
June 29 – July 7, 2024 (12:01 a.m. Saturday to 11:59 p.m. Sunday).
Participants fishing without a licence during licence-free Family Fishing periods must fish under the Conservation fishing licence limits which are set out in the 2024 Fishing Ontario – Recreational Fishing Regulations Summary
Please note that during all other time periods, Canadian residents between the ages of 18 and 64 years of age must purchase a valid Ontario Fishing Licence to legally fish in Ontario.
While fishing during a licence free event you must:
- follow conservation licence catch limits
- obey size limits and sanctuaries
- follow the fishing regulations
Visit the Falls Reserve CA Facebook page