Freshwater Fishing.
Lake St. Clair off Mitchell's Bay produces walleye, smallmouth and largemouth bass, muskellunge, yellow perch, and northern pike on the Canadian side of one of North America's most productive warmwater systems.
Lake Erie off Erieau and Wheatley adds yellow perch, walleye, rainbow trout, and smelt; Rondeau Bay carries a strong bass and panfish fishery; the lower Thames and Sydenham rivers add a multi-species shoulder-season option.
The brief.
Everything Chatham-Kent sits inside Fisheries Management Zone 19 (Lake Erie, Lake St. Clair, Detroit and St.
Clair Rivers). A current Ontario fishing licence is required, and zone-specific seasons, slot limits, and possession limits apply by species — the Ministry's FMZ 19 summary is the canonical source.
Brook Trout, Splake, and Atlantic Salmon are not present in this zone and are closed all year; Warmouth is provincially endangered and may not be caught or possessed. Mitchell's Bay opens for ice fishing in January and February — yellow perch is the standout.
Open-water peak runs May through October. Public launches at Mitchell's Bay and Erieau handle most boat access.
5. places.
- 01
Lake St. Clair (Canadian side, FMZ 19)
Walleye, smallmouth and largemouth bass, muskellunge, yellow perch, and northern pike; launch from Mitchell's Bay.
- 02
Mitchell's Bay
Bass fishery and winter ice-fishing for yellow perch.
- 03
Lake Erie off Erieau and Wheatley
Yellow perch, walleye/pickerel, rainbow trout, and smelt.
- 04
Rondeau Bay
Bass and panfish fishery in sheltered Lake Erie–side water.
- 05
Thames and Sydenham rivers
Multi-species warmwater shoulder-season option.
Today's read.
Cold but firm — winter-ready conditions · light winds · clean air.