Freshwater Fishing.
The lower Grand River and Lake Erie north shore meet at Port Maitland, and Haldimand County fishes both. Spring brings a substantial channel-catfish run as catfish move from Lake Erie up the Grand and stack below the Dunnville Dam — the dam tailrace is one of the documented fisheries on the river.
Mohawk Marina at Port Maitland launches Lake Erie boats trolling for walleye and smallmouth bass off Mohawk Island and its lighthouse.
The brief.
Everything in Haldimand County sits inside Fisheries Management Zone 16 (Lake Erie east of Pointe-aux-Pins, including Long Point Bay and the lower Grand River below Whiteman's Creek). A current Ontario fishing licence is required, and zone-specific seasons, slot limits, and possession limits apply by species — the Ministry's fishing regulations summary is the canonical source.
The Dunnville Dam tailrace is the spring channel-catfish anchor (April–May); summer brings smallmouth bass, walleye, northern pike, and panfish through the lower Grand. Lake Erie open-water fishing off Port Maitland targets walleye, smallmouth bass, and yellow perch from May through October, with Mohawk Marina as the primary launch and Mohawk Island Lighthouse as a trolling reference.
The Grand River watershed is documented to contain over 80 fish species — among the most diverse warmwater fisheries in Canada.
4. places.
- 01
Dunnville Dam tailrace
Spring channel-catfish run; warmwater fishery below the dam.
- 02
Lower Grand River (Caledonia to Dunnville)
Smallmouth bass, walleye, pike, panfish, rainbow trout.
- 03
Port Maitland / Mohawk Marina
Lake Erie launch for walleye and smallmouth bass.
- 04
Mohawk Island Lighthouse trolling waters
Lake Erie walleye trolling reference.
Today's read.
Cool but comfortable for layered effort · light winds · clean air.