You can't do any fishing at the Big Otter Creek's Black Dam until April to protect the Rainbow Trout.
TILLSONBURG - The Ontario Ministry of Natural Resources and Forestry will be implementing a fish sanctuary in Tillsonburg.
Management Biologist Kyle Stanley with the Ministry of Natural Resources and Forestry Aylmer District says the goal is to protect rainbow trout in Big Otter Creek. "The sanctuary is in place to help sustain a valuable natural resource - sensitive spawning area and nursery habitat for Lake Erie rainbow trout. It's right in the town of Tillsonburg: it was always closed for trout fishing however there were incidental catches from people fishing for other species that were negatively impacting the trout."
The sanctuary reaches from Black’s Dam downstream to the north side of Simcoe Street and includes an area on Big Otter Creek according to Stanley. "It will restrict all fishing activities for all species in that area between January 1st to the Friday before the fourth Saturday in April for that habitat that will prevent any fishing activities or impacts from those activities from affecting spawning or staging fish."
In the past the Ministry has received reports of people accidentally catching spawning rainbow trout as well as disrupting spawning activities by walking in the creek and destroying the eggs.

OPP Runs 'Stay Focused' Campaign
Rec & Leisure Fair is Back
Oxford Stewardship Award Nominees Announced
United Way Thanks Community for Successful Campaign
Budget Supports Home Buying, Small Business
Impaired Driver Charged in Ingersoll
Scratch Ticket Turns into $50,000 for Woodstonian
Interview with the Warden - March 26th, 2026
WCI Captains/Veterans Basketball Game Returns!
Baxter Named PJHL Trainer of the Year
Ontario to Table 2026 Budget Today
UPDATE: Federal Offender Arrested in Kingston
Project Sapphire Cuts Down Cocaine
Stunt Driver Charged in SWOX
Federal Minimum Wage to Increase
Air Traffic Controller Shortage in Canada
PJHL Playoff Recap - March 25th
Introducing: the Woodstock Performing Arts Collective
Illegal Drugs Seized in South-West Oxford
Camp 85 Returns to Blandford-Blenheim
Comments
Add a comment