grand river info/advice

[chris f]

looking to try the grand river in the future,was going to head to brantford/brant conservation area.seems like a good starting spot/parking area to head out from.anybody who could share some info,advice,tips about the grand river would be appreciated.

 

[piju]

I've never been to that area but am I reading the regulations properly, is the Grand open at Brant Conservation area between the end of April and March 1st? If so, that means all Summer, Fall and Winter.

 

[Blair]

looking to try the grand river in the future,was going to head to brantford/brant conservation area.seems like a good starting spot/parking area to head out from.anybody who could share some info,advice,tips about the grand river would be appreciated.

Grand River - between the former town of Paris (City of Brant) and Brantford from a line across the Grand River in Paris at 100 m

(328 ft.) downstream of the Hwy. 2 bridge downstream to the pedestrian and service bridge that crosses the Grand River on an angle upstream (west) of the Brant Conservation Area in the City of Brantford.

Fish sanctuary - no fishing from Mar. 1 - Fri. before 4th Sat. in Apr.Only artificial lures may be used. Only one barbless hook may be used.Walleye S - 0 and C - 0.Smallmouth bass S - 0 and C - 0.Northern pike S - 0 and C - 0.Brown trout S - 0 and C - 0.Rainbow trout S - 0 and C - 0.

Grand River - from the pedestrian and service bridge that crosses the Grand River on an angle upstream (west) of the Brant Conservation Area in the City of Brantford to the edge of Lake Erie.

Brown trout and rainbow trout combined S - 1 and C - 0 from Oct. 1 - Dec. 31

Grand River - from the Penman Dam downstream to the William Street Bridge in the former town of Paris (City of Brant County).

Fish sanctuary - no fishing from Oct. 1 - Nov. 30.


Float Fishing Trips on the Grand River

Looking for a great fishing get-away but don’t have time to head into the North Country? Then come and give the Grand River a try. The Grand River is the largest watershed in southwestern Ontario and is about 300 km long. The Grand starts in Dundalk just south of Collingwood, Ontario and travels south to Lake Erie at Port Maitland close to Dunnville Ontario. The Grand River watershed is located just 100 km’s from Toronto and 80km’s from London Ontario. It travels through towns and cities like Kitchener/Waterloo, Cambridge, Brantford and Caledonia. There are also many small towns and villages found on its banks like Elora, Fergus and Paris. The Grand River watershed is only about 3 hours from Detroit, Michigan and 1.5 hours from Buffalo, New York and Niagara Falls (using the city of Brantford as a centre point).

The Grand River is home to over 80 species of fish including Rainbow, Brown and Brook Trout, Large and Smallmouth Bass, Walleye, Northern Pike, Coho Salmon and Steelhead to name a few. There are many access points along the river with free parking. The book “Fishing the Grand River” is great resource material for planning your fishing trip as it has maps and access points marked in it. Fishing the Grand River is published by the Grand River Conservation Authority and is available at most large book stores like Chapters, Amazon and Coles. Fishing The Grand River can also be purchased from area canoe, kayak and raft outfitters like Heritage River Canoe & Kayak Company, area tackle shops or ordered directly from the Grand River Conservation Authority.

One of the best ways to fish the Grand River is by canoe, kayak or raft. Outfitters like Heritage River Canoe & Kayak Company have retro-fitted some of their rafts with fishing platforms and bass boat style swivel seats. These platforms make for a great vantage point above the river and as these rafts take very little water, they can go about anywhere on the river. These platforms are great for both fly and spin casting. Heritage River Canoe & Kayak Company offers guided raft fishing trips and can take you where the fish are biting. They also offer guided and self-guided fishing kayak trips. Fishing kayaks are specially designed with rod holders and anchor cleats etc. Canoes to are still a great way to fish the Grand River as well. The Grand River has an average depth of about 3 feet or 1 meter from Brantford up to Paris and Cambridge so chest and hip waders work great in these stretches.

In 2009 Heritage River Canoe & Kayak Company and the Grand River were featured on the Canadian Sportfishing show with Italo Labignan. The show featured kayak fishing on part of the “Exceptional Waters” reach of the Grand River between Paris and Brantford. The Canadian Sportfishing show’s host Italo Labignan used a fishing kayak to fish for smallmouth bass. The camera crew was able to travel with the show host on a fishing raft supplied by Heritage River Canoe & Kayak Company.

The confluence of the Grand River and Whiteman’s Creek is now known as one of the best Rainbow Trout fisheries in the province of Ontario. Whiteman’s Creek enters the Grand River just above Brant Conservation Area in Brantford. As the land around this area is private the best way to fish it is by canoe, kayak or raft.

The “Exceptional Waters” reach of the Grand River in Brantford is easy to get to from hwy 403. There are also many hotels, motels and B&B’s as well as camping at Grand River Conservation Authority run parks like Brant Conservation Area and Pinehurst Conservation Area. There are also privately operated campgrounds close by. So this is a great area for a fishing vacation.

If you would like more information on fishing the Grand River watershed you can contact the Grand River Conservation Authority at 519.621.2761 or area outfitters like Heritage River Canoe & Kayak Company.

If you’re looking for a great fishing trip without all the travel time and expense come and give the Grand River a try. Once you do you’ll be hooked.



Fishing Brant Conservation Area

​

Facts

Brant Conservation Area is located on Jennings Road, off Highway 53 within the City of Brantford. The park fronts onto the Grand River at Wilkes Dam.

Several fishing ponds are also located in the Conservation Area.

Shore fishing and canoe launch access are both available.

Access

The GRCA owns 185 hectares (456 acres) of land in the Oxbow formed by the Grand River on the west edge of Brantford. There are many river access points in Brant Park Conservation Area, which also has a gravel boat launch. Park entrance fees apply.

Fish Species: Smallmouth Bass, Walleye, Rainbow Trout, Pike, Channel Catfish and Carp. Carp are found in the ponds.

Quick Tips

In the deep water above Wilkes dam, the diverse habitat of deep holes and structure offered by rubble and remnants of an old dam provide a variety of fishing opportunities. Smallmouth, walleye and pike can be found here.

The fishing opportunities are similar to those offered at Dunnville downstream of Wilkes dam with walleye, channel cats, pike, rainbow trout, carp, and smallmouth bass in the river.



Fishing Whiteman's Creek

​

Whiteman's Creek flows into the Grand River between Paris and Brantford.

This stream is well known as a high quality trout stream.

Special Regulations apply in portions of this stream where anglers may only use artificial lures with barbless hooks and there is a minimum size limit of 50 cm for all trout species (Check Provincial Fishing Regulations for details).

Fish Sanctuary regulations also apply to portions of this river. (Check Provincial Fishing Regulations for details).

Fish Species: Rainbow Trout, Brown Trout and Brook Trout.

Fishing Tips:

This small river is very popular with fly fishing anglers. Try a variety of dry flies and nymphs that "match the hatch" on this stream. If there is no hatch, generic nymphs and the good old elk hair caddis can be productive. Try working baits under the numerous log jams to tempt the largest fish in the creek. There resident brown trout in this stream are surprisingly large and the migratory rainbow trout that use this stream to spawn can be of trophy proportions. For anglers using spinning tackle small plugs, spinners and various baits like worms or roe bags under a float can be quite effective.


Whiteman’s Creek is a more intimate, less-fished tributary of the Grand River which flows cold enough to support native brown, rainbow and migratory steelhead popula­tions within its many log-jams. The creek pours into the Grand between the towns of Paris and Brantford and has been popular with fly fishers. Dries and nymphs will fool the browns and resident rainbows, but some of the best steelheading can be had with egg patterns.

While most of the co-operative resident trout average under 12”, much larger browns are caught every year, especially on swing streamers.



http://www.grandrive...ingTheGrand.pdf


http://www.brant.ca/...onal_Waters.pdf

 

[chris f]

thanks blair some good info,seems like whitemans is an option if grand doesn't work out.

 

[staffman]

Blair I can't tell you how impressed I am with your responses to some of threads lately. One can really tell that you love to fish and love helping other anglers.

 

[LogJam]

[/size]
Whiteman’s Creek is a more intimate, less-fished tributary of the Grand River which flows cold enough to support native brown, rainbow and migratory steelhead popula­tions within its many log-jams. The creek pours into the Grand between the towns of Paris and Brantford and has been popular with fly fishers. Dries and nymphs will fool the browns and resident rainbows, but some of the best steelheading can be had with egg patterns.

Less fished trib!!!!!!!

thats abunch off bull... that trib gets raped evey srping... trust me! its my fav spot to fish, but the last few years have destroyed that river...
its ashame that it has happend... to many people are keeping to small of fish... and the big ones that do make it up are never seen again....

i hope things change soon. i miss the good days on that river!!!
i have pic of summer trout.. mid July..
catch and released!

 

[LogJam]

thanks blair some good info,seems like whitemans is an option if grand doesn't work out.

i can help guide you to some spots.... pm me...
once's the season opens.. you will fall in love with that creek.!

 

[Blair]

thanks blair some good info,seems like whitemans is an option if grand doesn't work out.

No worries.... sorry I could not "personalise" it even more.
I grew up in Guelph, Ontario so I'm more familiar with the upper Grand and it's Tribs (Speed, Eramosa) :

Fergus, Elora, Belwood, Rockwood ....

I know it contains every fish imaginable.
Looks like some of the "Local" guys are offering to help.

Thats awesome.
I know you like to make the effort and the Trips (Just like coming up to the Credit).

Take note of the very special Regs they have in that area.
I would also look into the "Private canoe/kayak charter" that is available. Never did it myself but heard some great things.

Hope you have a safe and enjoyable outing.
Make sure to share the adventures with us.

I'd be dieing to hear about the results and what you learned.

Tight Lines

 

[LogJam]

hey blair, i live in cambridge, in galt, just beside the river..
i have tried to find trout on the grand, but have no clue where to start.. i have fished a few tribs that were holding small browns and spekc's..
i hear some areas of the river hold huge browns and real nice bows... but it seems there are so many other fish.
how would one go about targeting the trout???
i seen the town names. i know where they are... maybe pm me with a few starting locations?
thanks for your time and wisdom....

 

[Blair]

hey blair, i live in cambridge, in galt, just beside the river..
i seen the town names. i know where they are... maybe pm me with a few starting locations?

* My aunt (Sheila & Uncle Don) was in "Preston" for ever
Used to come in on #24 Hwy (She's down off of Bishop)

PM sent.
Let me know if you have any success.

and no worries

Use Google maps, and please double check the regs.

 

[JaysonMarion]

Whitemans is closed as of September 30th.

Go fish Caledonia if you want to get into bows on the grand

 

[JaysonMarion]

hey blair, i live in cambridge, in galt, just beside the river..
i have tried to find trout on the grand, but have no clue where to start.. i have fished a few tribs that were holding small browns and spekc's..
i hear some areas of the river hold huge browns and real nice bows... but it seems there are so many other fish.
how would one go about targeting the trout???
i seen the town names. i know where they are... maybe pm me with a few starting locations?
thanks for your time and wisdom....

Bows don't really make it up to Cambridge. There's legends that say they jump the dam in Paris, but.. thats a big jump.. heh..

There are browns in that Stretch of the grand though. But they are few and far between.

There are also a few speck streams off the grand in that area.. but those are secret

 

[LogJam]

Bows don't really make it up to Cambridge. There's legends that say they jump the dam in Paris, but.. thats a big jump.. heh..

There are browns in that Stretch of the grand though. But they are few and far between.

There are also a few speck streams off the grand in that area.. but those are secret

yeah i know of a few spots with speck's, i seen one creek in early spring was loaded with specks, all over 10 inch, they must of been spawning.. but it was first week of march, so no fishing...
other then that one time i have only managed to get small specks, 4-7 inch