Massasauga Provincial Park

Fishing

When fishing (with the proper provincial license), expect to find numerous and varied fish species including yellow pickerel (walleye), muskellunge, and lake trout.

Permits and Fees

Camping and day-use permits are required. Phone 1-888-668-7275, or visit the Ontario Parks website.

Getting There

Massasauga Provincial Park lies along the mid-eastern shore of Georgian Bay near the small town of Parry Sound, Ontario. Surveyors in the early 1900s concluded that Georgian Bay was part of Lake Huron but many people still call it the sixth great lake.

The park is accessible by water from Georgian Bay, just south of Parry Island about half-way down the eastern shore of the Bay.

By road the park's south end is accessible at Pete's Place:
Follow Hwy. 69 20 km south from Oastler Provincial Park south of Parry Sound to Highway 612 at Lake Joseph, then 4.2 km to Healey Lake Rd. and 16.5 km to Blackstone Harbour

Or the north end via Three Legged Lake:
Follow Higway 69 to James Bay Junction Rd., just south of Oastler Provincial Park toBlue Lake Rd., then 5.1 km to Three Legged Lk. Rd.

Cautions

Drinking water - must be treated (i.e., adequate filter, chemical, boiling, etc.) in order to kill the intestinal parasite known as Beaver-fever (Giardia).

Black bear - Secure all food out of reach, and away from camp. Move your camp if you see signs of a bear. Never feed wild animals - it endangers your life and theirs.

Biting insects - From mid-May to mid-August mosquitoes, black-flies, and other biting insects are present in healthy numbers. The biggest danger from biting insects in Canada is that they'll drive you insane. Anyone who spends a fair amount of time here during bug season eventually shuns repellent in favour of some form of personal bug-screen.

Eastern Massasauga Rattlesnake - While humans are rarely bitten, a dose of venom usually causes swelling, discomfort, and medical complications. A bite from an Eastern Massasauga Rattlesnake should be considered a medical emergency. No one in Canada has died from a bite in more than 30 years. Avoid being bitten by wearing long pants, avoiding open-toed footwear, watching where you put your hands and feet, and moving away from rattling sounds.