Location:  The Island Lake Conservation Area is on the eastern border of Orangeville, about an hour’s drive from Toronto.  Drive west on Hwy. 401 about 5 km or so west of Hwy 427 (Pearson Airport is right there) to Hwy 410.  Go north on 410 and Hwy 10 about 45-60 minutes to Orangeville. 

Access:  From the Hwy 10/Hwy 9 intersection go north on 10 for 1 block, turn right (east) on Buena Vista Dr. for 2 blocks then left (north) on Hurontario St.  The park is about 2 km north, there is a $4.25 entrance fee, and you can put in at the south end of the parking lot.  Don’t go to the boat launch at the north end or it will cost you $7.00 to launch.  Canoes, kayaks and electric motor powered aluminum boats are available for rent.  Gasoline powered motors are not allowed.

Fishing method:  Spinning gear from your kayak.  There is so much weed growth that I don’t really recommend fly fishing – but go ahead and try it if you like.

What to expect:  Largemouth bass, pike, sunfish, perch, crappie.  No trout.

Comments:  The Island Lake Reservoir is the source of the Credit River and the Island Lake Conservation Area is part of the Credit River Conservation Authority.  The lake is a prolific largemouth bass fishery but you should have plenty of weedless hooks and lures.  Plastic frogs are particularly effective.  There is plenty of information, including a map of the lake on the website at http://www.creditvalleycons.com/recandleisure/islandlake.htm .