Welcome to Fishing Durham
Durham Region is home to the best fishing in the Greater Toronto Area. Highlighted by world-renowned multi-species fishing on Lake Ontario, Lake Simcoe, Lake Scugog, Bowmanville Creek and a number of other connecting tributaries. Discover more information to help plan your next fishing trip below and dont forget to follow and tag us in your fishing photos on social media using @DurhamTourism and #FishingDurham.
Ice Fishing in Durham Region
The 2020 ice fishing season is here. A reminder to always check local ice conditions and weather reports prior to heading out.
This winter, plan a trip to Beaverton and experience the best ice fishing on Lake Simcoe in Ontario. Anglers target trophy lake trout, whitefish and jumbo perch during the winter months.
On Lake Scugog anglers target bluegill, perch and crappies during the winter months.
Ice fishing charters are available on both lakes and offer both day trip and over night experiences. A complete list of charter operators is included below.
Fishing Durham Partners with Cooper Gallant in 2019/20
Durham Tourism is excited to announce an extended partnership with Cooper Gallant. Cooper has been featured on the Fishing Durham Guide and as a Fishing Durham Pro Staffer on the National Pro Staff website for a number of years. This season we're excited to support Cooper's efforts on the professional tournament circuit and his 'This is My Passion' multi species fishing series which will feature video from across Durham Region.
Follow Cooper on Instagram, Facebook and YouTube to help inspire your next fishing trip in Durham Region or visit his website to book a guided trip.
Cooper Gallant and Danny McGarry finished second in the 2019 FLW Canada Cup and qualified for the FLW Costa Championship on Lake Cumberland. Cooper finished the event in 103rd place as an angler and Danny finished in 61st on the co-angler side.
Follow Cooper in early 2020 as he competes on the Basspro.com Bassmaster Open Series kicking off on January 15-17 with the opening event in Kissimmee, Florida.
Durham Region is home to outdoors technology company National Pro Staff and Rapala
National Pro Staff (NPS) is a fishing technology company that is headquartered in Whitby, Ontario at 1855 Whitby, a technology accelerator that positions high potential tech companies for the global stage. The platform is now the industry's largest social commerce network. Durham Tourism has been a long-time partner with NPS and to date the Fishing Durham page on the website has over 11,500 followers and over 1.7 million post views. You can also follow NPS on Instagram and Facebook. Dan Miguel is a Co-Founder of the company and Durham Region resident, he is a competitive bass tournament angler and avid multi species fisherman. Follow Dan on his NPS Profile and on Instagram.
Read Dan's article, 'World Class Fishing Right in your Backyard' within the Durham Tourism Discovery Guide for tips, techniques and featured products from Rapala, an internationally recognized brand that is headquartered in Oshawa, Ontario.
Ice Fishing Charters in Durham Region
Floyd Hales Fish Huts - Beaverton, Ontario
Mitchell's Fish Huts - Beaverton, Ontario
Scugog Ice Adventures - Port Perry, Ontario
Tim Hales Fish Huts - Beaverton, Ontario
Fishing Charters in Durham Region
Barkwill Fishing Charters - Whitby, Ontario
Big Game Fishing Charters - Pickering, Ontario
Cooper Gallant Fishing - Bowmanville, Ontario
Dutchies Sport Fishing - Newcastle, Ontario
Great Blue Sportfishing - Whitby, Ontario
Homewrecker Charters - Newcastle, Ontario
Hooked Up Fishing Charters - Whitby, Ontario
Joe Ford Fishing and Outdoors - Bowmanville, Ontario
Katarah Fishing Charters - Newcastle, Ontario
Pro Guide Charters - Bowmanville, Ontario
Strike Zone Charters - Newcastle, Ontario
Fishing and Outdoor Sales and Services in Durham Region
Bennett Powersports - Whitby, Ontario
DT Powersports & Marine - Uxbridge, Ontario
Drivemaster Marine Service - Pickering, Ontario
Durham Marine Service - Pickering, Ontario
Easthill Outdoors - Orono, Ontario
Gagnon Sporting Goods - Oshawa, Ontario
Lakeside Marine Services - Whitby, Ontario
Lakeview Marine - Port Perry, Ontario
Port Whitby Marine Supplies - Whitby, Ontario
Canadian Tire - Multiple locations in Durham Region
Sail - Oshawa, Ontario
Marinas & Harbours in Durham Region
Beaverton Harbour - Beaverton, Ontario - Lake Simcoe
Bowmanville Marina - Bowmanville, Ontario - Lake Ontario
Frenchman's Bay Marina - Pickering, Ontario - Lake Ontario
Port of Newcastle Marina - Newcastle, Ontario - Lake Ontario
Port Perry Marina - Port Perry, Ontario - Lake Scugog - Boat rentals available.
Port Whitby Marina - Whitby, Ontario - Lake Ontario
Scugog Island Marina - Scugog, Ontario - Lake Scugog
Fishing Tournaments and Derbies in Durham Region
3rd Annual Beaverton Legion Ice Fishing Derby - February 15, 2020
Licence-Free Family Fishing Weekend - February 15-17, 2020
Uxbridge Huck Finn Day - Elgin Pond - April TBD
Licence-Free Family Fishing Weekend - May 9-10, 2020
Licence-Free Family Fishing Weekend - June 20-21, 2020
Licence-Free Family Fishing Weekend - July 4-12, 2020
Great Ontario Salmon Derby - Lake Ontario - July 4 - August 22, 2020
Competitive Sport Fishing League Ladies Night - Lake Scugog - July 24, 2020
BronzeBack Cup - Lake Simcoe - July 25-26, 2020
Competitive Sport Fishing League Twi-Light - Lake Scugog - July 31, 2020
Bassmania Eastern/Open Tour - Lake Scugog - August 10, 2020
Competitive Sport Fishing League Angler New Angler - Lake Scugog - August 11, 2020
What you need to know about fishing in Durham Region
| Fisheries Management Zones (FMZ) | ||||||||
FMZ 20 covers Lake Ontario. FMZ 17 is to the east of York Region, and includes Lake Scugog. FMZ 16 in the northern part of Durham and surrounds Lake Simcoe. Each FMZ has unique boundaries with their own fishing seasons and limits. For complete details, view the Ministry of Natural Resources and Forestry's (MNRF) Recreational Fishing Regulations Summary. |
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| Fishing licensing | ||||||||
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Ontario residents need a complete and valid licence to fish. There are several types of licences that you can apply for.
Carry both your Outdoors Card and fishing licence tag when fishing. If you plan to fish for one day only, you do not need an Outdoors Card. You will need a one-day sport fishing licence. Ontario Resident Outdoors Cards and fishing licence tags are available through licence issuers across Ontario. You can also apply online. You can renew a licence with the Outdoors Card by calling the automated telephone licensing line at 1-800-288-1155. |
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| Fishing rules | ||||||||
You must follow certain rules while fishing. They determine:
Learn more about fishing limits, size restrictions, and catch and release requirements. |
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| Where to buy | ||||||||
You can purchase your fishing licence tag at the same time as your Outdoors Card, but cannot buy a licence tag without an Outdoors Card. You can get a one-day sport fishing licence. You can also purchase your fishing Outdoors Card and licence tag in person by going to participating ServiceOntario Centres or a licence issuer. |
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