High · Low
Marginal today
reservoir / FMZ 16Island Lake
Island Lake isn't so much a lake as a drowned cedar swamp with two dams holding it in place. Orangeville built it in 1967 to keep the Credit River flowing through dry spells, flooding a swamp, a thicket and a small kettle lake at the river's headwaters — and the fishery grew up around all that submerged wood.
Target Species
02 - Conditions
Today's read.
Quick Summary
Rainy and warm, with a high of 25° and a low of 15°. Breezy, gusts to 45 km/h. Steady pressure should keep the bite consistent.
Daily max · 0-11
Avg · SW · gusts to 45 km/h
steady · -1 hPa/24h
14h 58m daylight
Lunar phase
Peak 6.8 mm/h · 6 wet hrs
C+
Marginal today
Choppy — a 14 km/h average over 2.7 km of fetch keeps you on the northeast shore with short runs. Good bite potential — with bright sun, dawn and dusk are your windows. Fish the northeast shore where wind stacks bait and keep it tight to cover.
Craft Verdicts
Trailer launchCarry-in launch2.7 km max fetchPressure steady (-1.2 hPa/24h)
Powerboat
Clear to launch — a 14 km/h SW average over 2.7 km of fetch stays well within a powerboat's weight and power; easy to hold position.
Kayak
Launchable but exposed — a 34 km/h average gust and 2.7 km of fetch will test a kayak's low, wind-caught profile; put in on the northeast shore and stay tight to it.
Canoe
Too rough — a 34 km/h average gust over 2.7 km of fetch overwhelms an open canoe's shallow draft; not a safe launch today.
Hourly Conditions
5:00 a.m.
18°Temp
UV0
Precip1.1mm
PressureSteady
Fish ActivityHigh
Wind · SW19kph
Gust41kph
Launch ReadCaution
7:00 a.m.
19°Temp
UV0
Precip0.0mm
PressureSteady
Fish ActivityHigh
Wind · SW19kph
Gust40kph
Launch ReadCaution
9:00 a.m.
20°Temp
UV1
Precip0.0mm
PressureSteady
Fish ActivityHigh
Wind · SW13kph
Gust41kph
Launch ReadCaution
11:00 a.m.
23°Temp
UV3
Precip0.0mm
PressureSteady
Fish ActivityHigh
Wind · W14kph
Gust39kph
Launch ReadCaution
1:00 p.m.
24°Temp
UV7
Precip0.0mm
PressureSteady
Fish ActivityHigh
Wind · SW19kph
Gust40kph
Launch ReadCaution
3:00 p.m.
22°Temp
UV7
Precip0.1mm
PressureSteady
Fish ActivityHigh
Wind · W10kph
Gust26kph
Launch ReadCaution
5:00 p.m.
18°Temp
UV4
Precip2.7mm
PressureSteady
Fish ActivityFair
Wind · W8kph
Gust15kph
Launch ReadAll Clear
7:00 p.m.
18°Temp
UV1
Precip3.8mm
PressureSteady
Fish ActivityHigh
Wind · NW12kph
Gust26kph
Launch ReadCaution
9:00 p.m.
17°Temp
UV0
Precip0.0mm
PressureSteady
Fish ActivityHigh
Wind · NW14kph
Gust31kph
Launch ReadCaution
Weekly Outlook
LaunchCaution
BiteHigh
LaunchCaution
BiteHigh
LaunchAll Clear
BiteFair
LaunchAll Clear
BiteFair
LaunchAll Clear
BiteHigh
LaunchCaution
BiteMaximum
LaunchAll Clear
BiteMaximum
01
How it fishes
Man-made reservoir created in 1967 by two dams that flooded a cedar swamp, thicket and small kettle lake at the headwaters of the Credit River, to augment river low flows.
SourceShallow throughout — much of the lake is about six feet deep, with one deeper hole reaching roughly 20–22 feet in the eastern arm over the original kettle lake.
SourceThe east end holds extensive submerged and standing timber — fallen trees, logs and stumps — that shelters every species, alongside heavy weed growth through the shallows.
SourceNorthern Pike is the most angler-observed species on the reservoir (15 confirmations on Anglers Atlas, ahead of largemouth bass and yellow perch).
SourceHosts the annual Island Lake Ice Derby, with cash-prize categories for northern pike (2026 winning fish 825 mm), black crappie and yellow perch, plus a youth catfish category.
SourceNo provincial stocking record exists for the reservoir — its pike, largemouth and panfish are a self-sustaining, naturalized fishery.
Source02
Regulations snapshot
This is a summary, not the legal regulation — confirm current rules with the official source before fishing.
Northern Pike
Season: January 1 to March 31 and second Saturday in May to December 31
Limit: S-6 / C-2
Size: no size limit
Official sourceLargemouth & Smallmouth Bass (Combined)
Season: fourth Saturday in June to November 30
Limit: S-6 / C-2 (combined with Smallmouth Bass)
Size: no size limit
Official sourceBlack Crappie
Season: open all year
Limit: S-30 / C-10
Official source03
Access notes
Island Lake Conservation Area boat launch
parking lot P1
Concrete surface and dock; $8 + HST (free with a Credit Valley Parks Pass). Gas-powered motors are not permitted on Island Lake (paddle or electric only). Fishing is by boat access only during park hours.
Access sourceIsland Lake Conservation Area walk-in / hand launch
parking lot P1
Free hand launch for canoes, kayaks and other hand-carried watercraft; paddlecraft and fishing-kayak rentals available seasonally.
Access source04
Key resources
The actual regs, straight from the source — FMZ 16, Government of OntarioSpecies, piers, ice-fishing rules and bait — Island Lake, Credit Valley ConservationLaunch, motor rules and paddlecraft rentals — CVC canoeing, kayaking and boatingIsland Lake Ice Derby details — Credit Valley Conservation FoundationStocking record, FMZ 16 — Ontario Fish ON-Line