Sydenham River
Sydenham River
- Boat Ramps
- 2
- Access Points
- 0
- Species
- 39
The Sydenham River is one of Ontario's most ecologically remarkable waterways, flowing through southwestern Ontario within the lower Great Lakes basin. It holds the distinction of supporting the greatest diversity of freshwater mussel species of any watershed in Canada, with at least 34 mussel species and an extraordinary 80 species of fish documented within its waters. This biological richness makes the Sydenham not only a conservation treasure but also a genuinely productive and diverse fishery for anglers. The Owen Sound reach of the river, flowing through Grey County, offers access to migratory salmonids and warmwater species alike, while the southwestern reaches near Strathroy-Caradoc support warmwater species such as northern pike, largemouth bass, and smallmouth bass. The river's character varies considerably from its upper reaches to its lower stretches, providing a range of fishing experiences across its length.
Species & education
Learn what type of fish are at Sydenham River and what's needed to catch them.
Find which waters have the species you want to catch
Black Bullhead
Ameiurus melas
Black Crappie
Pomoxis nigromaculatus
Blacknose Dace
Bluegill Sunfish
Lepomis macrochirus
Brown Bullhead
Ameiurus nebulosus
Channel Catfish
Ictalurus punctatus
Common Carp
Cyprinus carpio
Creek Chub
Semotilus atromaculatus
Fallfish
Semotilus corporalis
Freshwater Drum
Aplodinotus grunniens
Gizzard Shad
Dorosoma cepedianum
Golden Redhorse
Moxostoma erythrurum
Greater Redhorse
Moxostoma valenciennesi
Green Sunfish
Lepomis cyanellus
Largemouth Bass
Micropterus salmoides
Longnose Gar
Lepisosteus osseus
Mimic Shiner
Mooneye
Hiodon tergisus
Muskellunge
Esox masquinongy
Northern Hog Sucker
Northern Hogsucker
Hypentelium nigricans
Northern Pike
Esox lucius
Northern Sunfish
Lepomis peltastes
Pumpkinseed
Lepomis gibbosus
Quillback Carpsucker
Carpiodes cyprinus
Rock Bass
Ambloplites rupestris
Shorthead Redhorse Sucker
Moxostoma macrolepidotum
Silver Redhorse
Moxostoma anisurum
Smallmouth Bass
Micropterus dolomieu
Splake
Spottail Shiner
Spotted Sucker
Minytrema melanops
Walleye
Sander vitreus
White Bass
Morone chrysops
White Crappie
Pomoxis annularis
White Perch
Morone americana
White Sucker
Catostomus commersonii
Yellow Bullhead
Ameiurus natalis
Yellow Perch
Perca flavescens
Fishing spots, boat ramps & amenities
Learn how to get on Sydenham River. 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.
Know where you can legally fish on Sydenham River
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.
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.
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.
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.
Take Sydenham River 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 Sydenham River to use it offline when coverage drops.
Log your catches here
Keep a private fishing journal for Sydenham River to find where and when fish are biting for you.
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Water and weather conditions (10 day forecast)
See the best times to fish Sydenham River and check the forecast before you go.
SYDENHAM RIVER NEAR ALVINSTON
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