On the Water
Boating • Kayaking • Fishing • Swimming • and MORE
Boating • Kayaking • Fishing • Swimming • and MORE
North Grenville is made for waterway adventure! Bring along your canoe, kayak, or fishing boat and enjoy the scenic Kemptville Creek as it winds its way through North Grenville. Formerly called the South Branch of the Rideau River, Kemptville Creek offers a picturesque way to view the countryside while getting in some outdoor activity and water fun! The creek is navigable for smaller watercraft from the Rideau River to Kemptville, or for canoeing or kayaking from Bishops Mills to Oxford Mills. Portages may be necessary. Bring your fishing gear and try for “the big one!”
Need a canoe, kayak or stand-up paddleboard? Drifters Outdoors Canoe and Kayak Rentals or Rideau River Provincial Park can get you onto the water.
Need to gas up your boat? Head to Pirate Cove Marine, for all of your boating needs.
Take to the water during a public swim or sign up for some instruction at the Kemptville Pool (outdoor facility). The municipally operated facility offers public, family and adult swim sessions. There is a range of programming available, such as the Parent and Tot Club; swim lessons for preschoolers to adults; Bronze level aquatic training and Aqua Zumba, a Latin-inspired aerobic exercise program. Check the North Grenville municipal website for program schedules, swim times and pricing. The Kemptville Pool is also home to the Kemptville Bluefins swim team, a fun and competitive club that runs in July and August for swimmers ages 5 to 16.
Rideau River Provincial Park occupies a shady bank on the historic Rideau Canal across the river from North Grenville. There are two beaches within the Park for swimmers and water enthusiasts to enjoy, however only the main beach is accessible for day-use. The main beach is a sandy beach with a gradual drop-off and is marked with buoys. Two large day-use areas accommodate families and large organized groups. At the main beach there is one large picnic shelter as well as several small barbeque grills and picnic tables with access to a comfort station and playground. There are no lifeguards on duty.
North Grenville is an angler’s paradise! Kemptville Creek flows into the Rideau River and both feature excellent fishing year-round.
In summer, when the boat traffic picks up, it’s easy to find a quiet spot out of the main channel of the Rideau. Kemptville Creek is 63 km long, but it’s only about 5 km from the Rideau to Kemptville. It has decent depth, lots of foliage and is home to a variety of species, including musky and pike.
The Rideau has been a famous bass fishery for more than 100 years. This section of the Rideau River is also very popular for muskie anglers. Good opportunities exist for bass, walleye and panfish, as well.
Four times a year, Canadian residents can fish in Ontario for free. This means you do not need to buy a fishing licence if you want to fish during:
Check the Ontario Family Fishing website for info about those events and for licensing requirements and regulations during the rest of the year.
Some of the best fishing happens in the off season. You’ll find some awesome ice fishing holes if you’re keen to bundle up and give it a try!
Photo Credit: Jane Rutter
Need a rod and reel? Initiated by the Ontario Federation of Anglers and Hunters (OFAH) and proudly sponsored by Ontario Power Generation, the TackleShare Program gives new and young anglers the opportunity to go fishing at no cost. Participating anglers simply sign out a rod and reel, as well as an assortment of tackle in the same way that they would borrow library material.
Municipal Office
285 County Road #44,
PO Box 130
Kemptville, ON K0G 1J0
⚠️PLEASE NOTE: The North Grenville Municipal Offices will be closed on Monday, October 14th, and will reopen on Tuesday, October 15th at 8:30 am. There is no waste collection on Monday, October 14th - garbage/recycling/organics will be delayed one day this week. Please see waste collection schedule here.