Casting for answers to water access questions
Can you fish in the region during the COVID-19 pandemic? The answer is maybe, depending where you go
WATERLOO REGION — The Grand River runs through an assortment of municipal jurisdictions, each with their own interpretation of how best to enforce social distancing to keep residents safe during the COVID-19 pandemic.
So, although the Ontario Ministry of Natural Resources has said the fishing season will open as usual, getting a line in the water could be tricky. Though major water bodies like the Grand or Conestogo rivers are publicly governed, the lands surrounding them are a mixture of private and public property. These areas are regulated with trespassing laws and municipal bylaws.
The main landowner along the Grand River, the Grand River Conservation Authority, has currently closed all of its property to the public, and anyone found there will be charged with trespassing.
A map of the Grand River watershed and the GRCA’s property inside it can be found at the website grand.ca
The Record approached each of the region’s municipalities to find out their approach to regulating people fishing or accessing bodies of water from public lands.
So, which municipalities are allowing access to bodies of water at this point? You’ll find the answers as best as they can be found below:
North Dumfries: No
“The township has closed parks for recreation and leisure amenities. The trails in parks are open for the purposes of walkthrough access only,” said Cynthia Hislop, deputy clerk for North Dumfries.
“If the water bodies are in a park, then the public cannot fish as the township has closed parks for recreation and leisure amenities.
“Most of the lands adjacent the Nith River and Grand River in North Dumfries are privatelyowned lands.”
Wilmot Township: Yes
Erin Merritt, manager of municipal law enforcement for Wilmot Township, said the boat launch and park grounds are open at William Scott park in New Hamburg for public use. However, the playground and other park amenities are closed, and will be monitored by bylaw staff. The public are asked to adhere to social distancing while in the parking lot and using the boat launch, to be in groups of less than five people and refrain from littering.
Wellesley Township: Yes
Todd Loveday, Wellesley bylaw enforcement officer, said the township will be taking the same stance as the region’s bylaw enforcement.
Though public access points to the Conestogo River are few, if people practise social distancing and are careful not to trespass, they are still open.
The trails are open for walking as well.
City of Cambridge: Yes
Susanne Hiller, director of corporate communications for the city of Cambridge, said all parks and amenities are closed, but this does not include ponds, creeks or other water bodies.
“Generally, fishing is a solo or family activity. However, bylaw officials will actively be monitoring and enforcing social distancing measures.”
City of Kitchener: No
Shawn Falcao, manager of corporate communications for the City of Kitchener, said: “At this time, city parks, trails, and open spaces are only open for walk-through access and are not to be used as a travel destination. City of Kitchener bylaw has authority over city property and our parks bylaw prohibits fishing in any of our parks.”
City of Waterloo: Yes
According to Shayne Turner, the director of municipal enforcement services for the City of Waterloo, city land is still available for fishing as long as all Ministry of Natural Resources regulations are being followed along with social distancing protocol.
Waterloo’s bylaw officers will be assessing any calls they receive on an individual basis. “One single person standing on a shoreline probably isn’t much of an issue, but a group of people there would be a concern with.”
Woolwich Township did not respond for comment at press time.