Pleasure Craft Operations & Boat Registrations

The Office of Boating Safety is responsible for overseeing regulations, standards and policies, enforcement and technical services for recreational vessels. It encourages safe boating practices and compliance with regulations. For more information on operating a pleasure craft, consult this Pleasure Craft Guide from The St. Lawrence Seaway.

Pleasure Craft Operator Cards are mandatory.

Pleasure Craft Sample Card

If you operate a boat with a motor and use it for recreation, you need proof of competency, which shows you have a basic understanding of how to operate your boat safely and know what to do in an emergency. Proof of competency is required with all motor types (including electric trolling motors) and even when the motor is not in use (such as when sailing).

The fine for not having your card is $250.

Welland Canal

Pleasure craft tolls are $200 and can be purchased through the St. Lawrence Seaway.

Cash is no longer accepted as payment for tolls at Canadian locks. Effective July 15, 2019, the St. Lawrence Seaway implemented a pleasure craft schedule for transients through the Welland Canal.

Upbound Transients from Port Weller to Port Colborne are available on Mondays, Wednesdays, Fridays and Sundays.

Downbound Transients from Port Colborne to Port Weller are available on Tuesdays, Thursdays and Saturdays.
Reservations can be made on the St. Lawrence Seaway website.

Commercial Navigation Status generally extends from late March to late December.

Marine Traffic's map tracks ships and monitors vessel movements in real-time.

 

Fishing

 

Fishing in Port Colborne is an amazing experience. With access to Lake Erie and the Upper Niagara River, Port Colborne offers beautiful scenery and excellent fishing. Well known for its trophy fish: trout, walleye and bass, the Upper Niagara River provides some of the best bass fishing from June to November.

 

Lake Erie, the smallest of the Great Lakes in volume, measures 241 miles across and 57 miles from north to south, with a depth of 62 feet. Because it warms rapidly in the spring and summer and freezes frequently in the winter, Lake Erie is the ideal location to catch perch, walleye and bass. Lake Erie is recognized as one of Ontario's best fishing spots for perch. Anglers have a variety of options, as walleye, salmon and trout are also thriving in Lake Erie.

 

Port Colborne's waterways are world renowned. Tournaments like Budweiser Can-Am Walleye Challenge and Bass Kayaking frequent these waters annually and big names like Bob Izumi also fish here.

 

Lakes and streams in local conservation areas, flooded quarries and farm ponds offer other opportunities for pike, Largemouth Bass, carp and Bullhead.

 

Fishing Charters

Contact Sugarloaf Marina for the complete list of fishing charter out of the marina. Each offers the exciting experience of fishing on the open waters of Lake Erie. Because these are professional charters, the operators know where the fish are, and ensure that you will have a great time.

Ice Fishing

Despite being so cold some of the greatest fishing in Port Colborne can be had in the winter. From January 1 to March 15, anglers can venture out on the ice (ice conditions permitting) and drop their lines for Yellow Perch, Lake Trout, tasty Whitefish and feisty Northern Pike.

Ice fishing in Gravelly Bay has long been popular, as well, Gravelly Bay is typically frozen for several months every winter.

Lake Erie Fishing Facts
  • Walleye range in size from 16 to 22 inches, with catch rates rivaling any country
  • Yellow Perch has been voted as the “tastiest table fish” and the most fun to catch
  • Lake Erie's Perch range in size to 7 to 12 inches
  • Smallmouth Bass are also known as “bronzebacks”

Tournaments

Fishing tournaments are a great opportunity to come and enjoy the waters off Port Colborne, cash some fish, and win prizes.

Information about upcoming tournaments can be found in the Events Calendar.

What you can Expect to Catch in Lake Erie

Lake Erie – cool water species – zone 19

Migratory Species – Rainbow Trout, Brown Trout & Lake Sturgeon

Resident Species – Pan Fish, Yellow Perch, Smallmouth Bass, Largemouth Bass, Channel Catfish, Northern Pike, Walleye, Carp, Muskellunge, Rainbow Trout, Brown Trout and Fishwater Drum.

 

Canada Border Services Agency

Boaters are responsible for their own customs and immigrations matters.
For general information, please visit the CBSA website.

To check in with Canadian customs upon arrival, please call 1-888-226-7277.

Port Colborne Marine Auxiliary Rescue

Sugarloaf Marina is home to Port Colborne Marine Auxiliary Rescue (POCOMAR). For water emergencies, reach POCOMAR on Channel 16 VHF Radio, dial *16 on a cell phone or call 1-800-267-7270 for the Canadian Coast Guard.

Port Colborne Marine Auxiliary

Clean Marine

Developed by Boating Ontario, Clean Marine Eco-Rating Program is an environmental program that allows marine business to follow best environmental practices to reduce the prevent water, air and land pollution associated with recreational boating activities in Ontario.

Sugarloaf Marina has been independently evaluated and rated for its eco-efficiency performance. We are rated a 5 Green Anchor Gold Rating. The award of this Gold Green Leaf Eco-Rating indicates that the marina has made a significant commitment to environmental improvement.

Useful Links

Great Lakes Cruising Club                                    

Boating Ontario                

Discover Boating 

Discover Boating Beginner's Guide                  

Nexus Border Crossing                                         

Port Colborne Power & Sail Squadron

Ontario Fishing Licence Options

Ontario Family Fishing Events

Boating Glossary

Weather Links

Environment Canada - Port Colborne

Environment Canada - Weather Radar Ontario

Environment Canada - Marine Forecasts and Warnings

Marine Information Portal - Lake Erie and Lake Ontario

Windfinder

New Boaters

For new boaters, be sure to check the latest marine weather forecast before leaving the dock or launch ramp. The average depth of Lake Erie is only 62 feet, meaning the water warms up quickly and kicks up quickly.

The world of boating has a unique vernacular, and its important that you understand the differences between sailing words and land lubber words before you head out on the water. Visit the Useful Links tab on this page for access to a glossary of terms.