Toogood Pond

[Aquaneko]

(07-25-2014 11:37 AM)novice Wrote:  hey aquaneko,
what is the best time to fish at toogood pond went there a couple of times with my kid who is showing interest in fishing, fished from the deck on the northside close to the northside parking was late evening last week but didnt get a nibble, was using worms - im not an experienced angler but have gone with friends to bobcagen and caught tonnes of sunfish and small mouth bass. Took a trip to milne, tried to get get in from the mccowan entrance but the gates were closed was 7ish in the evening...how does one access the milne from princess street now that the road is closed north of the 407, any other way i can access the milne - want to try for carp, heard they are a blast when reeling in. went to frenchman bay in pickering - liverpool road - lucky to get parking at the public parking spot was 6.30ish,wwalked both the side upto the nuclear plant(i think) on the eastt and on the dirt road on the west of the stage area - crowded - a band was playing - but didnt see a spot or saw anyone with a rod, kid was disappointed again. not to keen in driving to bobcagen was looking at somewhere closeby where my kid can catch some fish with her free rod got at the free fishing week last year at toogood pond. where is the rouge river bridge....thanks in advance -
novice

Sorry for the late reply. In my experience fishing at Too Good Pond you want to go in the morning and I have fished up to ~11am then the biting starts to tail off. You will get some nibbles past 11am but not as active as earlier in the morning from my experience.

I have stated before that I used canned corn. More specifically is canned corn with sugar/salt in it. Read the can before buying. I think I get more hits with the sweet canned corn over the unsweet/salted one. I've not fished there much in the evening but IIRC that rainbow trout and brown trout was caught in the late afternoon.

Two days ago I caught my largest and feistiest carp to date. Had to be approx. a 10-12lb'er. Measured 2.5ft (using shoes) and when hooked took off and started making a b-line for deeper waters near the middle of the pond. IIRC that happened around 14:00ish.

Check the weather before going fishing. I have been reading online about low pressure systems triggering more feeding frenzies and it seems to be true in my experience. My watch has a line graph to make seeing the barometer reading easy for a quick glance. When the barometer is falling and before a rainstorm the pond has a lot of activity which you can see on the surface by lots of fish rings on the top of the water. I am not sure if there is a website that tracks the barometer reading in Toronto to graph it but one can get a cheap barometer online just for logging the air pressure.

Also try mini marsh mellows. Not sure if the multi color ones make a difference but who knows. I have read with marshmellows it is a combination bait meaning used in combination with something else as the marshmellow has corn syrup as well as the vanilla flavoring which will draw the fish in.

From what I have heard (and I do not plan on jumping in to find out) is that Too Good Pond is approx. ~7feet deep max IIRC. So if you buy a pair of waders when on sale you can walk into the pond to cast further into the pond. This year they built wooden fencing around the pond only opening up certian areas for access to fish. I think it is because too many people did not note the sign about ~75ft NO FISHING by the fish-way/dam-bridge near the parking lot area. There is a lot of activity to the left of the wooden deck on the opposite side of the wooden deck clubhouse/parking lot area. Too bad this area is fenced off as well but as said waders can give you access into that private area.

I met the folks at Hogtown Bass a local fishing club when I was inquiring what was happening a few weeks ago when I saw people in waders trying to access the area. At first I thought they worked for the city till they told me they are working in conjunction with the park to create a habitat to help bring more natural feed into the area for the fish IIRC what was said to me. The guys were moving the white fence in the water and I think the water was up about 3/4 of thier leg. They had chest waders on. I have seen some crazy carp jumping in that area. IDK...probaby 10lb'ers jumping out for surface food. So if you can find some waders try that area out. There is also a blue huron bird that frequents that area as well for a visual treat.

Just a FYI on Milne Dam. IIRC they close thier gates at dusk IIRC from some Town of Markham website. Also something to note. On the weekends they charge for parking (Sat-Sun). I think the parking is like $10 and not sure if you get in/out privilleges. If you have a bike, bike it or park at Timmies then bike it in and use the money saved for ice cream. You can also access Milne Dam via a residential street. I have been there only once before. You drive to a dead end road (last house is about ~3-4 TTC bus length away IIRC for those thinking for safety that is, singles/ladies so it is not fully isolated if you need help) which you walk down a hill and you will see the dam right there. Pretty much you are fishing right behind someones backyard. AFAIK fishing at this spot (correct me if I am wrong) you are not violating the parks closing time but I could be wrong. Just be mindful and safe as you are next to the dam. Not sure how to access Princess St. seeing as you mention the construction. I would think they would have to allow the residents that live there a way in somehow. If all else fails...test the cars suspension rolling over the sidewalk and such to get in.

Not sure what Rouge River bridge you speak of. I have been to the Rouge River Beach and that bridge is a caged bridge. https://www.google.ca/maps/@43.7943299,-79.1188401,19z . Last year someone at night ~23:00 IIRC hooked what had to be probably a 30lb carp. I will have to find my photos on that. The guy was using boilies (homemade custom boiled dough bait, hence the name boilies because they are boiled) and a slingshot as he casted his line from the parking lot bench to the other side of the river. That guy also mentioned there is some carp tournement in Hamilton when he was helping me with making a rig for my night fishing and tying a glowstick to my fishing rod. FYI, IIRC the parking lot gates close at midnight. I remember security telling people that if they need to get out of the park to move thier cars or it will be locked in for the night. Access in the park is not closed if you are walking or biking in which is handy to know if you want to do some night fishing. Also a FYI on those tiny glow sticks (~length of your thumb) I recorded that they still glow and useable after ~48-72hrs. Very handy to know if IDK you have some on hand and you go caving with the kids at Scenic Caves or get stuck in a cave. You can find those tiny glowsticks at Bass City. IIRC ~1.99 or 2.99 (did not fully check the price as I quickly glanced over it and they are right by the right hand side of the cashier as you walk into the store. IIRC you get I think 1-2 per package. Maybe 3. I forgot) at the same time if you are fishing for carp get a pair of clip on bells $1.99/ea which IMHO is worth the investment. Allows you to do other things with the kids. The bells also have a long hole down one side which will come in handy. You can cut off a little fishing line and tie the bells to the fishing pole so if you are forgetful or in a moment of excitement cast your line the bells will not fly into the water as what happened to a fishing lady buddy of mine. Also those bells do not float so if the water is not clear good luck finding them.

Oh yes.. chum the water if you are carp fishing. I think you know this but if not it helps lure the fish in with a larger scent presence. If you want to chum farther away get a slingshot. Make your own or go to Princess Auto and get a cheap one IIRC 9.99 is what I paid which comes with a wrist support. Throwing corn by hand you get about 2-3meters. With a slingshot you can throw firm kernels about 3x that distance surrounding where you casted.

Hope that helps