Local – Shade’s Mills Conservation Area & Mill Creek

A Shade’s Mills 5 1/2lb Largemouth Bass.

Facts about Shade’s Mills Conservation Area & Mill Creek:

Shade’s Mills has been called the best-kept secret in Cambridge. Favourite activities in this day-use area include swimming, sport fishing and canoeing. The conservation area has 14 km of hiking trails through a mature hardwood forest that winds along Mill Creek. There is good fishing for northern pike, perch, largemouth and smallmouth bass in the 36-hectare (90 acre) reservoir behind Shade’s Mills dam. It is open for cross country skiing and ice fishing during the winter.

This area offers hiking, swimming, picnicking and fishing for largemouth and smallmouth bass, perch and pike. Outboard motors are not permitted. Fishing for a variety of species can be good at Shades Mill. This area is especially easy to fish from shore.

A Shade’s Mills Concervation Area Sunset …

Access to Shade’s Mills Conservation Area & Mill Creek:

Non-motorized boats or electric motors only are permitted.

Boat ramps are accessible only when the park is open, from the last Friday in April until the middle of October.

Ice fishing at Shades Mill is available when ice conditions permit.

Daily admission fees apply.

Boat Access to Shade’s Mills Conservation Area & Mill Creek:

Non-motorized boats only are permitted. Electric motors can be used.

Fish Species:

Smallmouth Bass, Largemouth Bass, Black Crappie, Northern Pike, Panfish.

Quick Tips:

Spinnerbaits and crankbaits are effective for producing mid-water bass and pike. Surface lures cast into shoreline vegetation will produce explosive strikes from Largemouth Bass. Jigs tipped with live bait are successful in catching panfish and bass. Fishing from shore is productive and a good way to introduce youngsters to fishing.