"The Gateway to the French River Delta"

FISHING THE FRENCH

  Hartley Bay Marina provides boaters and fisherman access to the Lower part of the French River and to the Georgian Bay.  Our season runs from the start of fishing season, the 3^rd Saturday in May, until the end of the Deer Hunt in November.  The French River is home to an assortment of game fish with the most popular ones being pike, pickerel, bass, muskie and if you’re lucky, sturgeon.  In order to keep our fish population in abundance, a slot size has been implemented in the French River and in the Georgian Bay.  For more information on fishing regulations for the French River, Zone 10 or the Georgian Bay, Zone 14, follow this link:  Fishing Regulations

There are plenty of water channels and outlets on the French River for any boating and fishing enthusiasts, but if you’re willing to brave the rapids to the Georgian Bay you better have the experience and know how, or you can hire a guide to take you down.  Guides on the French River cost about $250.00 a day for two people.  Be aware that the slot sizes and fishing seasons in the Georgian Bay may vary from those in the French River.

Both residents and non-residents of Canada are required to have a valid fishing licence in their possession while fishing on the French River and in the Georgian Bay.  Fishing and hunting licences can be purchased in the reception center at Hartley Bay Marina.  No identification is required for fishing licences but an old hunting licence, that we have to keep, is required for new ones.  We can only accept cash for all fishing and hunting licences.

   As of September 15, 2009, all boat operators are required to have a Pleasure Craft  Operating Licence.  At Hartley Bay Marina we offer only the test, not the whole course, at a cost of $50.00.  Operators born after April 1, 1983 and operators of a craft under 4 m in length, including personal watercrafts, must have a boating licence to operate their craft. All non - residents of Canada who operate a boat that is licensed or registered in Canada or that operate a boat on Canadian waters for more than 45 consecutive days, must have a valid boaters license as well. We accept cash only for these licences.

HARTLEY BAY MARINA                                                                                                                         

RR#2  ALBAN, ONTARIO, CANADA  P0M1A0   PHONE (705) 857 2038    FAX (705) 857 2292   

EMAIL:  hartleybay@xplornet.com