Petticoat Creek

Boat Ramps: 0
Access Points: 0
Species: 6

Petticoat Creek is a small but ecologically significant stream flowing through Pickering, Ontario, emptying into Lake Ontario along the north shore. The creek serves as a natural wildlife corridor, connecting inland habitats to the lake and supporting a diverse fish community in its lower reaches and estuary. The Petticoat Creek Conservation Area, managed by the Toronto and Region Conservation Authority (TRCA) and located at 1100 Whites Road South in Pickering, provides the primary access point to this waterway. The area is open seasonally from May through October and offers a mix of natural and recreational amenities, with the creek and its estuary being the focal point for anglers interested in exploring one of the Lake Ontario tributaries east of Toronto.

On licenses and regulations4 to check before you go

Species & education

Learn what type of fish are at Petticoat Creek and what's needed to catch them.

Find which waters have the species you want to catch

Blacknose Dace

Creek Chub

Semotilus atromaculatus

Pumpkinseed

Lepomis gibbosus

Rock Bass

Ambloplites rupestris

White Sucker

Catostomus commersonii

Yellow Perch

Perca flavescens

Fishing spots, boat ramps & amenities

Learn how to get on Petticoat Creek. Uncover great fishing access points, boat ramps, and all the facilities you need for an unforgettable day on the water. Some locations shown may border or include private property. Always check property boundaries and applicable regulations before visiting. onWater's Public & Private Land layer can help you plan your access with confidence.

The lower reach of Petticoat Creek near its mouth at Lake Ontario is the most productive area for targeting migratory species. The estuary zone, where the creek meets the lake, serves as a natural congregation point for staging fish and is considered one of seven significant estuaries along the Toronto and Region waterfront. The Waterfront Trail provides access along this stretch, and the bluffs and shoreline areas near the creek mouth offer vantage points for spotting fish movement.

Know where you can legally fish on Petticoat Creek

See public and private land boundaries along the water, turn on private parcels with owner details to know where permission is required, and find land-trust parcels that offer permitted fishing access.

On licenses and regulations

Ontario Boating Regulations

This page explains what a Pleasure Craft License is, who needs one, how to apply for one, and how to keep your information up to date.

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Ontario Fishing License

To fish in Ontario, individuals aged 18 to 64 require both an Outdoors Card and a valid fishing license. The Outdoors Card serves as a personal identification for licensing and is typically valid for three years.

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Ontario Fishing Regulations

An annual guide to the rules and regulations for recreational fishing in Ontario. It contains information about recreational fishing licences, open seasons and catch limits, as well as up-to-date fishing regulations for each fishing zone.

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Ontario Stream Access Laws

What you need to know about camping and other recreational activities on Ontario’s Crown land (also known as public land). This excludes provincial parks and conservation reserves.

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Take Petticoat Creek with you

The onWater Fish app keeps this water's access points, species and conditions in your pocket, with the tools you use once you're there.

Use the map without signal
Download the map around Petticoat Creek to use it offline when coverage drops.
Log your catches here
Keep a private fishing journal for Petticoat Creek to find where and when fish are biting for you.

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