Zone 16 · Ontario
Fishing near Chatham, Ontario
Chatham sits in Fisheries Management Zone 16. Here are the nearest stocked waters, what's in season, and where to start — with live bite times in the app.
Stocked water nearby
Nearest stocked waters to Chatham
Scan the closest official stocking records first: distance, recent stocked species, and a direct water page when TackleDex has one.
Thames River
Brown TroutRainbow Trout / Steelhead
St. Clair River
Rainbow Trout / Steelhead
Lake Erie
Rainbow Trout / Steelhead
Komoka Creek (Unofficial Name)
Brook Trout
Young's Creek
Brown Trout
Waterford Ponds
Brown Trout
Mount Pleasant Ponds (Unofficial Name)
Brown TroutRainbow Trout / Steelhead
Mill Creek
Brown Trout
Distances are straight-line from Chatham, from official MNR stocking records.
What's in season
What's in season near Chatham (Zone 16)
A visual quick check for the Zone 16 species most anglers ask about before the drive. Tap a fish for the full season, limit, and caveat page.
WalleyeOpen now
The classic Ontario table fish: low light, wind, current, and structure are your friends.
Northern PikeOpen now
A practical confidence target around weeds, bays, and shore-access water.
Yellow PerchOpen now
One of the best family targets: schooling, simple tackle, and generous limits.
Black CrappieOpen now
Good for newer anglers when you find schools around weeds, docks, and spring bays.
Lake TroutOpen now
Deep, cold-water planning fish: depth and lake-specific exceptions matter.
Brook TroutOpen now
Cold-water fish: check local exceptions carefully before keeping any trout.
Brown TroutOpen now
Low light and cooler water matter more than covering random shoreline.
Rainbow Trout / SteelheadOpen now
Often tied to cold water, tributaries, and special local rules.
| Species | Season | Sport / Cons. |
|---|---|---|
| Walleye & Sauger | Seasonal January 1 to March 15 and the second Saturday in May to December 31 · Not more than 1 greater than 46 cm |
S-4 / C-2 |
| Largemouth & Smallmouth Bass | Seasonal the fourth Saturday in June to November 30 |
S-6 / C-2 |
| Northern Pike | Seasonal January 1 to March 31 and the second Saturday in May to December 31 |
S-6 / C-2 |
| Yellow Perch | Open all year Open all year |
S-50 / C-25 |
| Crappie | Open all year Open all year |
S-30 / C-10 |
| Muskellunge | Seasonal the first Saturday in June to December 15 · Must be greater than 91 cm |
S-1 / C-0 |
| Lake Trout | Seasonal January 1 to September 30 · Aggregate limit: S-5/C-2 for all trout and salmon combined |
S-2 / C-1 |
| Brook Trout | Seasonal the fourth Saturday in April to September 30 · Aggregate limit: S-5/C-2 for all trout and salmon combined |
S-5 / C-2 |
| Brown Trout | Seasonal the fourth Saturday in April to September 30 · Aggregate limit: S-5/C-2 for all trout and salmon combined |
S-5 / C-2 |
| Rainbow Trout | Seasonal the fourth Saturday in April to September 30 · Aggregate limit: S-5/C-2 for all trout and salmon combined |
S-2 / C-1 |
Full Zone 16 seasons & limits →
How to use this local guide
Start with the stocked-water list if you need a realistic place to scout, then use the season cards to avoid targeting a closed species. The distance is straight-line, so confirm access, roads, launches, ice, shoreline rules, and private property before you drive.
TackleDex is the on-water version of this page: it keeps the legal check, weather, bite windows, notes, and catch log together without posting your exact spot.
Scan to scout the waters near Chatham on your phone.Instant season & limit answers for any Ontario water, your private FishDex, and stocking alerts.