Gb salmon where to go.

[glen]

Where should I go for the best chance at a fish.  Wasaga.  Meaford or owensound.  
I haven’t been to Wasaga or meaford launch  in years.  Is wasaga park launch still good. Meaford launch on hayfield st park on side of street still good?

 

[Spiel]

I've not launched in Meaford recently but I'd wager it's your best bet for Salmon now according to my intel. 

[Fisherman]

Cross the bridge in Meaford on Trowbridge St, keep left go through the parking area to the launch, $12 for park and launch. 

[glen]

Perfect thanks very much.  

[CrowMan]

When I used to have a place on G'Bay, I always did well on the east side in July and early August. There is a FB group....Kings On the Bay...that follow the G'Bay Salmon scene. Seems the deep channel beside Christian Island has been hot of late. Fairly protected water between Christian and Cedar Point.

https://www.facebook.com/groups/375383119830482/?ref=share&mibextid=NSMWBT

[akaShag]

21 hours ago, Fisherman said:

Cross the bridge in Meaford on Trowbridge St, keep left go through the parking area to the launch, $12 for park and launch. 

HUH!  That used to be FREE!!!

[Fisherman]

Hahahaha, Free is now a 4 letter word.  

[akaShag]

25 minutes ago, Fisherman said:

Hahahaha, Free is now a 4 letter word.  

Heck, I remember when it was free to park in Orillia during the Spring Perch Derby...........I hear the charges now are astronomical...........

But back to the subject, Drew at Watson's Tackle House in Owen Sound can give you an update:  https://watsonstackle.com/

I miss that fishing!

Doug

[Fisherman]

Orillia has turned into a complete disaster, no more parking at fisherman's cove and most of the streets anywhere near that are either no parking or resident parking only.  You can't park at Thudhope park across highway 12 with a trailer either.  So, either go to one of the marina's or Go to Centenial park and pay $50 a day.  Orillia can go fuddle duddle and I won't spend another dime there.

[CrowMan]

It's all about the $$$. It's becoming like that all over the Province. Even in my quiet corner of eastern Ontario, the same thing is happening.

Waterfront and recreational property values have gone through the roof, especially since Covid. When folks buy a $1 million + vacation or retirement property, they do so with the expectation of peace and quiet. That's why they leave the city to begin with. They don't like their lakes overrun with weekend warriors or their streets jammed with cars and trailers. The more "peaceful and private" a property is... the higher the value. The higher the value...the more $$$ the local municipality collects in property taxes. Unfortunately, visiting fisherman (especially day trippers) don't spend enough money locally to offset the gains in property tax revenue.

I've sat through many meetings of the Central Frontenac township council...it's exactly what you hear. No one has a problem with attracting tourists to local lodges, cottage rentals, camps and marinas....but "day visitors" on the lakes cost the township more (maintaining ramps, roads, parking areas and collecting garbage) than the revenue they bring in..and of course, just like local residents everywhere there's a strong streak of NIMBYism..(Not In My BackYard)..

The Province used to take care of public ramps, etc, but over the years the cost and responsibility has been downloaded to the local municipalities. 

[Spiel]

On 7/29/2025 at 10:47 AM, glen said:

Where should I go for the best chance at a fish.  Wasaga.  Meaford or owensound.  
I haven’t been to Wasaga or meaford launch  in years.  Is wasaga park launch still good. Meaford launch on hayfield st park on side of street still good?

 

I just spoke to my friend yesterday who's back from 3 weeks at his cottage near Meaford and said use the pay ramp, the free public ramp off Bayfield is in bad shape. He also said the fishing had slowed off as of late last week. Need rain!

 

[Snidley]

It's a matter of time before Bronte starts charging to park at their pier. I think launching a boat is now $20 but as of today the pier fishermen and kayak/pontoon boat guys still get free parking BUT FOR HOW LONG? Parking is the new way to discourage fishing. Latte drinking dog walkers is what municipalities want today and that's the story everywhere in Canada.