Freshwater Fishing.
Peterborough's Otonabee River, Little Lake, and the Trent–Severn Waterway through the city all sit inside Ontario's Fisheries Management Zone 17 (Kawartha Lakes / Trent–Severn) — the regional warmwater zone that anchors walleye, smallmouth bass, and muskellunge fishing across the Kawarthas. Rice Lake, a short drive south, is the southern node of the system.
The brief.
FMZ 17 sets seasons, limits, and slot rules for the Kawartha Lakes / Trent–Severn system. Walleye season opens mid-May and runs through fall in most of the zone; muskie opens June; bass season runs late June through November.
The Otonabee through Peterborough and the Trent–Severn lock-and-canal stretch (Locks 19–22) carry boat-fishing through summer; ice fishing is accessible on the Kawartha lakes north of the city in winter. Anglers should consult the FMZ 17 summary for current season dates and possession limits.
3. places.
- 01
Otonabee River and Little Lake (FMZ 17)
Walleye, smallmouth bass, muskellunge, and panfish through the urban Otonabee corridor; access at Beavermead and Del Crary parks.
Map ↗ - 02
Trent–Severn Waterway through Peterborough
Multi-species warmwater (walleye, bass, muskie, panfish) on the canal stretch through Locks 19–22.
Map ↗ - 03
Rice Lake (FMZ 17)
Walleye, muskie, smallmouth bass on the Kawartha system south of the city.
Map ↗
Today's read.
Cool but comfortable for layered effort.
