Nottawasaga River

Nottawasaga River 

Affectionately known as the Notty, the Nottawasaga River is a significant tributary of southern Georgian Bay. It’s very trouty headwaters are in the Niagara Escarpment just east of Orangeville. The river then runs east through Dufferin county, where it turns north-ish just past the town of Alliston. This point marks the beginning of a long stretch of extended season steelhead water that is a popular destination for guides and fisherman with access to multi-person pontoon boats. The river continues northward to it’s mouth at Wasaga Beach

There is multi-species warm water fishing available near Wasaga, however the river is most popular for steelhead, salmon and trout. Fishing from a multi-person pontoon or canoe is the best way to legally access the larger sections of river downstream of the dam in Alliston. Upstream of Alliston, access becomes much more limited. This is unfortunate as the resident rainbow and brown trout fishing can be quite good.

There is a very challenging section of public water along the Bruce Trail in the Hockley Valley Provincial Nature Preserve - bring your hiking boots and pack for a full day out if you plan to fish this section - it is heavily forested, with steep banks, tight bouldery runs and small pools.

Species most often caught:
 - Chinook (King) & Coho salmon (seasonal)
 - Great Lakes Steelhead (seasonal)
 - Migratory Brown Trout (seasonal)
 - Rainbow Trout - Brown Trout - Brook Trout
 - Smallmouth Bass - Northern Pike

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