THE WATER ISSUE

Ontario, Canada
From the shore to the far north

ONTARIOFISHING.
GOOD WATER.
BETTER READING.

By Due North Marketing

Morning mist over a pine-lined Shield lake, with an aluminium boat tied beside a wooden dock.

THE NEXT CAST STARTS HERE

Ontario Fishing& Fishing Trips

A long stretch of shoreline. A fresh spool of line.
A good reason to get out on the water.

Find your water Find a fishing lodge
Shield country at first light LAKES / RIVERS / LODGES
IN THE GUIDEThe placesThe fishThe tripsThe stories

FROM THE EDITOR’S DESK

Choose the water.
Then make a plan.

Ontario fishing begins with a choice: the broad water past the last point, a river close to home, or a lake reached with a canoe on the roof.

This guide is built around those choices. Find the region, get to know the fish, and decide how you want to spend your time. A week at a northern lodge and an evening on a town dock call for different plans. Both deserve good advice.

We cover Ontario from the northwest to the Ottawa Valley, with a close eye on northern lake country. Read a regional or lake guide, look up a species, and choose the kind of trip you want. The stories and lodge directory give you a few more places to begin.

THE FISHING GAME

A LITTLE FRIENDLY COMPETITION

Can you
Read the Lake?

The wind has changed. The season matters. That point looks promising, but what is happening under the boat?

Our fishing game gives you a lake chart and a set of conditions. Pick your spots for walleye, bass, pike, muskie and lake trout, then see how your choices score.

Play Read the Lake

Play a round, save your lake code and compare scores.

WHERE TO FISH

Six regions.
A lot of water between them.

Pick a part of Ontario before you pick a cabin. The country changes, and so does the fishing.

01Northwestern OntarioMinaki, Lac Seul, Lake of the Woods and the long reach of northern lake country. 02Northeastern OntarioNipissing, Temagami, Gowganda and the lakes tucked into Shield country. 03Algoma & North ShoreInland lakes, rocky rivers and the north shores of Huron and Superior. 04Central OntarioMuskoka, Haliburton and cottage-country fishing, from a dock or a boat. 05Southern OntarioGreat Lakes shorelines, river bends and fishing within reach of home. 06Eastern OntarioThe Ottawa Valley, the Rideau system and the St. Lawrence River.

The regional guides and all ten lake and river guides are ready. Choose a region, then a piece of water.

An aluminium fishing boat beside a low granite point with pine and spruce along the shore.
A boat, a rocky point, and time to work it.

LAKES & RIVERS

Get to know
the shoreline.

Big water asks for a different approach than a sheltered bay. A windward point, a weed edge and a steep shore can each hold your attention for good reasons.

Our lake guides put the place first: the kind of water, the fish you might target, access questions and what to check before leaving the dock.

Rainy LakeLake NipigonGreat LakesLake NipissingFrench RiverLac SeulLake TemagamiLake of the WoodsMuskoka LakesHaliburton Lakes

FISH SPECIES

What are you fishing for?

Build the day around the fish. Gear, water and timing come next.

01WalleyeA golden-olive walleye swimming above a rocky freshwater bottom.02Northern PikeA long olive northern pike with pale spots beside freshwater plants.03MuskieA large bronze-green muskellunge with dark bars swimming beside submerged rock.04BassA bronze smallmouth bass with faint dark bars swimming above rounded lake rocks.05TroutA brook trout with mottled back and bright spots in clear water above stream stones.06SalmonA silver Chinook salmon with dark spots swimming through blue freshwater.07Perch & PanfishA golden yellow perch with dark vertical bars and orange fins in clear lake water.08Carp & CatfishA bronze common carp with large scales and mouth barbels near a freshwater lake bottom.

All eight species guides are ready. Choose the fish, then the water and method.

FISHING TRIPS

How do you want to get there?

BY ROAD

Pack the truck.
Take your time.

A drive-in trip leaves room for your own tackle, a stop in town and a familiar routine. Ask about the launch, boat rentals and the water you will be fishing.

Drive-in trips
BY AIR OR WATER

A different route
to the dock.

Fly-in and boat-in trips need a little more thought before packing. Baggage limits, transfer arrangements and supplies belong on the list well before the day you leave.

Fly-in & boat-in trips
ON YOUR OWN TERMS

A paddle. A shoreline.
A day with the kids.

Keep the plan small when it needs to be. A short paddle, a safe shore spot or a family afternoon can be enough. Leave room for weather, snacks and another try.

More ways to fish
SEVEN WAYS TO GO

Choose a route and a pace before filling the tackle box.

A red pickup on a gravel lane beside a dock and a pine-lined lake.01 / BY ROADDrive-In FishingYour own tackle, room in the truck and a flexible route. Settle the last few kilometres before leaving home.Read the trip guide ↗An unbranded floatplane moored at a timber dock on a forest-lined lake.02 / BY AIRFly-In FishingA short flight can change the whole week. Know the baggage rules, the cabin setup and the water before the plane leaves.Read the trip guide ↗Two adults in lifejackets travelling slowly by motorboat toward a lake dock.03 / BY WATERBoat-In FishingThe cabin is across the water. Decide who carries the bags, who runs the boat and how the return works.Read the trip guide ↗A parent and child wearing lifejackets while fishing from a wide lake dock.04 / WITH THE FAMILYFamily FishingA clear bite, a manageable outing and time for lunch. Let the youngest angler help set the pace.Read the trip guide ↗A portable ice-fishing shelter and manual auger on a snow-covered lake.05 / ON THE ICEIce FishingShort rods, a warm break and a firm decision about access. The route onto the lake comes before the fishing.Read the trip guide ↗An angler in a lifejacket fishing from a broad dry rock above calm lake water.06 / FROM THE BANKShore FishingOne rod and a piece of shore can be enough. Legal access, sound footing and a landing plan decide where to stop.Read the trip guide ↗Two paddlers in lifejackets travelling by canoe near a pine-lined lake shore.07 / BY PADDLECanoe & KayakA few rods, a dry bag and water that suits the craft. Plan the return before adding another bay.Read the trip guide ↗

LODGE DIRECTORY

Find a place
to tie up for the week.

A lodge is more than the cabin. Ask about the fishing water, the boats, the daily routine and the help available when you need it.

Browse 71 businesses on one page, grouped by region. Search by name or water, open the map, and visit the operator’s website.

View the lodge directory
71PLACES TO PLAN A STAY

Regional groups. Name search.
Direct contact with the lodge.

71 listings / Four regional sections

WHERE TO GO

Good country. Worth a closer look.

See all four destinations ↗
Broad lake, pine islands and an empty boat moored beside a dock01 / Northwestern Ontario / MinakiMinaki and the Winnipeg RiverGun, Sand, Rough Rock and Pistol: give the connected waters north of Kenora a few days, and start making your own map.Read the story ↗Wide lake with a low wooded shore and a moored boat in evening light02 / Northwestern Ontario / Ear FallsLac Seul and Ear FallsA walleye trip works better when the first day teaches you something. Settle near Ear Falls, learn a route and leave room for weather.Read the story ↗Quiet timber dock beside rocks, pine and birch in morning mist03 / Northeastern Ontario / Highway 560Gowganda fishing countryStart on Gowganda Lake, ask good questions about the backcountry waters and make time for the country along Highway 560.Read the story ↗Granite points and wind-shaped pine around a quiet river channel04 / Northeastern Ontario / French RiverFrench River and Wolseley BayChoose a known reach around Wolseley Bay, fish it with time to spare and go ashore for the French River’s longer story.Read the story ↗

FISHING JOURNAL

A few things to take along.

See all six Journal stories ↗
Floatplane moored beside a wooden dock on a pine-lined lake01 / Before the flightYour First Fly-In TripA clear packing list, a shared meal plan and a quiet first afternoon can make a first fly-in week easier to settle into.Read the story ↗Empty chairs and hanging lifejackets on a lakeside cabin porch02 / The weekend planThree Days with the FamilyPlan the weekend around the whole family, with short fishing sessions and an easy return to the cabin.Read the story ↗Empty aluminum boat moored beside a rocky pine island at sunrise03 / On the waterEarly-Summer WalleyeBegin with a small section of water, a method you can control and enough notes to repeat what worked.Read the story ↗Autumn birch, reeds and a quiet dock beside a sheltered bay04 / The autumn issueFall Pike in the NorthAn autumn pike day needs a casting plan, ready release tools and a clear way home when the weather changes.Read the story ↗Portable fishing shelter on a snow-covered lake beneath a winter sky05 / Winter notebookYour First Day on the IceAsk the right questions before booking a winter outing, from the meeting point to the equipment and way home.Read the story ↗Red canoe and olive kayak pulled onto a dry granite shore06 / At paddle speedFishing at Paddle SpeedPut the route first, then choose tackle that fits the craft and a fishing method you can manage from the seat.Read the story ↗

FISHING ADVICE

Before you leave
the dock.

Check the rules for your water, look at the weather and know how you will get home. The guides below put those everyday questions beside the official sources.

Fishing licences & regulations Fishing seasons Fishing & boating safety Catch-and-release & caring for the water
THE PLANNING SHELF

Eight guides for a sound fishing day.

Fishing rod, tackle box and day bag on a dock beside a calm pine-lined lake01 / TRIP PLANNINGPlan the tripChoose the water, settle the route and leave time for the day you actually get.Read the advice guide ↗Rod, closed tackle box and blank notebook on a lakeside table02 / LICENCES & RULESLicences & rulesThe licence is one part of the check. The species, dates and lake name settle the rest.Read the advice guide ↗Autumn maple and birch colours reflected beside a quiet lakeside dock03 / THROUGH THE YEARChoose the seasonRead the legal calendar first, then make the travel fit the season.Read the advice guide ↗Fishing rod and open tackle tray on a wooden dock beside a lake04 / THE TACKLE BOXTackle & methodsA smaller box makes sense when every piece belongs to the day ahead.Read the advice guide ↗Fly angler wearing flotation and standing on a dry gravel bank beside a stream05 / ON THE FLYFishing with a flyStart with casting room, a balanced outfit and a piece of water you can fish comfortably.Read the advice guide ↗Empty moored aluminum boat with orange flotation devices beside a dock06 / A SOUND RETURNSafety on the waterThe route, the people and the forecast deserve a check before the rods come out.Read the advice guide ↗Rubber-mesh landing net and long pliers inside an empty boat near a rocky shore07 / FISH CAREFish care & good habitsHave the tools ready, know the rules and leave the shore ready for the next angler.Read the advice guide ↗Empty fishing boat tied beside a dock with secured rods and a tackle bag08 / YOUR QUESTIONSQuestions before you goTen ordinary questions to settle before the car is packed and the first cast is made.Read the advice guide ↗