Hillsborough River Estuary

Saltwater
Estuary

Hillsborough River Estuary

Saltwater
Estuary

Sq. miles: 10
Boat Ramps: 0
Access Points: 0
Species: 3

The Hillsborough River Estuary, known as Elsitkuk, is Prince Edward Island's largest river system and holds deep cultural, ecological, and historical importance. This extensive tidal estuary incises deeply into the heart of the island, supporting a lengthy expanse of salt marsh. It flows into Hillsborough Bay and the Northumberland Strait, creating a significant inshore marine ecosystem. The estuary's health is a subject of ongoing environmental monitoring and conservation efforts, balancing its ecological value with the pressures of nearby residential development and historical human impacts on water quality.

Species & education

Learn what type of fish are at Hillsborough River Estuary and what's needed to catch them.

Find which waters have the species you want to catch

Brook Trout

Salvelinus fontinalis

Rainbow Smelt

Osmerus mordax

Striped Bass

Morone saxatilis

Fishing spots, boat ramps & amenities

Learn how to get on Hillsborough River Estuary. 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.

Key areas include the confluence zones of tributaries like Bovyer Creek and Fullerton’s Creek, where salt marshes create productive edges. The deep incisions of the main estuary channel hold fish. The mouth of the estuary near Charlottetown Harbour, transitioning into Hillsborough Bay, is a major area. The extensive salt marsh corridors along the estuary's length are prime inshore habitats.

Know where you can legally fish on Hillsborough River Estuary

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.

Pe licenses and regulations

No licenses or regulations available for Pe.

Take Hillsborough River Estuary 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 Hillsborough River Estuary to use it offline when coverage drops.
Log your catches here
Keep a private fishing journal for Hillsborough River Estuary to find where and when fish are biting for you.

Get the onWater Fish app

Free on iOS and Android

Tides, wind & water conditions (10 day forecast)

On open water, wind and tide matter as much as the weather. See the best times to fish Hillsborough River Estuary and check the marine forecast before you launch.

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