March 16, 2026
Story by C. Richard Campbell
Photographs by C. Richard Campbell and from the archives
Port Dover, Ontario, once the home of the largest fresh water fishing fleet in the world. Has become famous for thousands of bikers parking their bikes on Main Street each Friday the 13th.
Lynn River, Date and Origin Unknown
While Friday the 13th captures the headlines, Port Dover fishermen like George Gibbons are getting media attention, thanks to a documentary "Netting the Waters" by award winning Simcoe resident and filmmaker Daryl Granger. For those of you that have visited Port Dover for the perch, pickerel and celery bread at the Erie Beach Cove Room. Not to worry, men like George Gibbons are catching the fish you eat at the Erie Beach.
Port Dover Rotarian and sailor Hadley Jackson, Captain George Gibbons and Rotarian Jim Jackson
George Gibbons, a fisherman for 45 years spoke to the club about fishing Lake Erie. He uses a gill net to catch perch and pickerel. The amount of fish that he is permitted to catch each year is determined by an International Agency composed of American states and Ontario. But first he has to find the fish using his experience and skill ( and perhaps some technology) to set his nets where he anticipates they will be. No fish. No payday.
Let's not forget that Lake Erie can be a dangerous lake to fish. The memorial near the Port Dover beach recognizes the many that have lost their lives to the lake.
One of his two fishing tugs was built in 1945, it has been refurbished over the years to remain operational. Most fishing tugs are only taken out of the water every 4 years for a government inspection.
Growing up in Simcoe and having relatives in Port Dover, you quickly became familiar with the prominent local "fishing families" such as the MacDonalds, Misners, Mummerys, Mathews, Murphys and others.
Now, we have the famous Captain George Gibbons, Lake Erie Fisherman!
Netting The Waters
If you are an insomniac like the writer, you have discovered reality TV shows at 4:00 am. They are numerous and apparently very popular. Daryl Granger with $ 5,500, a drone, a underwater camera, and an inquisitive mind has produced an award winning story of Lake Erie Fishing.