Evening fishing at Oakville piers approved on trial basis

Oakville residents will soon be able to reel in the big one during the evening at local designated piers.

Oakville Town Council has approved a fishing pilot program that permits evening fishing within designated areas of the east pier in Bronte and east/west piers in Oakville.

Beginning Aug. 1 until Oct. 15, from 9 p.m. to midnight, local fishers can toss a line in the dark of the night.

The motion put forth by Ward 1 Regional and Town Councillor Sean O’Meara comes after the town noticed an increasing interest in recreational fishing during the COVID-19 pandemic.

Fishing within the Bronte and Oakville harbours during the summer months had always been restricted due to a safety conflict with recreational boaters, kayaks, canoes and heavy pedestrian use of piers and lakefront walkways.

Through previous Council reports and pilot programs the restricted on-shore fishing period has been reduced a month in spring and fall to allow greater opportunity for on-shore fishing and fishing from the west pier in Bronte is available year-round.

The restricted period had been from May 15 to Oct. 15.