There are many excellent fishing spots across the Greater Toronto Area, along the northwest shore of Lake Ontario and at various Toronto and Region Conservation Authority (TRCA) conservation parks.
Select your skill level for information to help you catch the big one.
Please do your part to help ensure the protection of fisheries and wildlife. Learn about responsible fishing.
Hooked a Turtle While Fishing?
Ontario’s turtle populations are in decline. If you’ve got a turtle hooked and on the line, please follow the recommended steps. Every rescue counts!
Beginner Fishing
TRCA makes it easy to learn how to fish!
At Glen Haffy Conservation Park and Heart Lake Conservation Park, we stock our fishing ponds and lake with rainbow trout raised from TRCA’s own fish hatchery, located at Glen Haffy.
A great opportunity for beginners: just show up, cast your line, and try your luck! We have bait available for purchase and can provide fishing tips as well!
Experienced anglers are also welcome at these parks; please respect the posted catch limits and bait policy.
Register for the Learn to Fish Program
Learn to Fish is a hands-on program that teaches new anglers how to fish in Ontario. This is a great opportunity to learn everything you need to know to have a safe and fun fishing experience.
Learn to Fish classes are offered throughout the summer at Heart Lake Conservation Park, Tommy Thompson Park, and Biidaasige Park.
Intermediate Fishing
You’ve fished before – but maybe you’re rusty, or you’ve only been at it a year or two. The Greater Toronto Area offers all kinds of ways to get outside fishing!
Better yet, get a license and check out some of the great spots along the northwest shore of Lake Ontario and around the Toronto Area.
TRCA Bait Policy
TRCA has adopted a NO LIVE BAIT policy at all of our conservation areas.
Invasive species, which are commonly transported in bait buckets, enter lakes when people dump their left-over bait and water. Once unwanted species enter water systems, they aggressively compete with native species for food and habitat.
Please help us in our continuing effort to be free of invasive species and provide a great fishing experience for years to come.
The following baits are permitted in TRCA conservation areas:
- Worms
- Artificial lures
Eating Ontario Fish
The provincial Guide to Eating Ontario Fish is an essential resource for the avid angler. It provides detailed information on the fish species found in water bodies across the Province.
Thanks to improvements in water and sediment quality over the last three decades, most resident fish in the Greater Toronto Area are currently safe to eat. The Toronto & Region Remedial Action Plan has developed a handy guide to eating local fish for GTA residents.
How TRCA Contributes to Better Fishing
TRCA works with many partners on a wide range of projects that contribute to healthier fish populations and opportunities for recreational fishing.
- Monitoring of Fish Habitat and Communities: Find out how our monitoring contributes to programs and services that support fish and their habitat.
- Urban Recreational Fishing Strategy: See more about fishing along the northwest shore of Lake Ontario and opportunities to enhance recreational fishing.
- Fishing Code of Conduct: Please help ensure the protection of fisheries, wildlife, and enjoyment by other users by fishing responsibly.
Find Fishing at these Locations
- Albion Hills Conservation Park: 16500 Regional Road 50, Caledon, ON L7E 3E7
- Glen Haffy Conservation Park: 19245 Airport Rd, Caledon, ON L0N 1E0
- Heart Lake Conservation Park: 10818 Heart Lake Rd, Brampton, ON L6Z 0B3
