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Conservation Area pond provides exceptional fishing opportunities

August 11, 2022   ·   0 Comments

During the summer months, you often hear the question, “where is there a good place to go fishing around here?”

In Tottenham, the answer is obvious – the Conservation Area.

It’s quite common to see local residents walking through Town carrying a fishing rod and tackle box to enjoy a day at the pond.

The Conservation Area Pond is a local gem with a variety of species of fish that call it home.

It is a catch and release pond, meaning anything you catch must be placed safely back into the water.

The majority of anglers are hoping to catch bass and sunfish and there are other species that are swimming out there looking for a meal.

Many local people enjoy the fact that it is close to home, and yet not crowded.

For local resident Liam Malatesta, the pond is a favourite place that he has been visiting since he was a kid. He’s an avid angler and knowledgeable about fish, how they behave, and which bait will be suitable.

“It’s the first place I ever fished,” Liam explained. “I started fishing here when I was nine years old. For me, this pond is a little sentimental. It’s local and there’s a good population of fish. I’ve always met great people here. There are people who can teach you something about fishing. There’s bass, crappie, sunfish, bluegill, and catfish. I’ve fished in here on canoes and kayaks, but for it’s worth, you’re going to do just as well from shore. I caught my personal best – a five-pound, six-ounce bass in here, and I caught that from a canoe. It’s good fishing in your own back yard.”

As a catch and release pond, the water provides entertainment while maintaining sustainability.

“I like the fact that it’s catch and release,” Liam said. “I don’t think this water is really the best for eating something that came from there, and as a conservation area it should be a place for people to enjoy and have fun – not a place to worry about (fish) numbers.”

You can’t just show up and toss your line in the pond. You require a valid Ontario fishing license, although there are some exceptions when it comes to age and other factors.

You should visit the provincial website to see what you need to be able to legally fish in Ontario.

Ontario fishing license fees support conservation in the province.

The Conservation Area pond provides a relaxing place to spend a day while enjoying fishing in a pond that is well maintained and has plenty of opportunity to reel in a big one.

By Brian Lockhart

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