5 Best Lakes For Fishing in Ontario!

Written by Kai Abreu

We've all had that really crappie day of fishing. It's six in the evening, the sun is just starting to set over the horizon, washing everything in a beautiful golden hue, and all you can think of are mosquitoes and the complete lack of fishy action. You write it off as an unlucky day. While sometimes the fish do play koi and your fishing rod might as well be part of the landscape, for the most part, fishing isn't about luck: it's about location, location, location. Thankfully, Ontario has over 250,000 lakes scattered across the province, which means there's a good shot at finding that perfect fishing spot. In this article, we'll cover five of our favourite lakes for fishing in Ontario and school you on what to expect!

1. Lake of the Woods

A rather unique lake, Lake of the Woods sits at the southwestern corner of Ontario, splitting its waters between Ontario, Manitoba, and Minnesota, USA. Besides the border lines, however, Lake of the Woods also features three different natural environments: southern forest species of elm, ash, and basswood; northern species like spruce and jackpine; and prairie! This ecological diversity allows it to host a diversity of fish too! 

This lake brings anglers from all over the world, with its combination of natural environments creating the perfect home for dozens of fish species. Spend the day fishing and you might catch yourself some northern pike, perch, walleye, sauger, crappie, smallmouth bass, largemouth bass, lake trout, whitefish —or if you're really lucky, a large musky!

Things to Know: The best time for fishing Lake of the Woods is between May and September. You'll need a boat to access some of the prime fishing spots, and if you really want to boost your chances of catching something on the line, consider hiring a local guide who knows the lake's hotspots.

Lake of the Woods. Photo courtesy of Northern Ontario Travel - The Official Magazine

2. Lake Nipigon

Lake Nipigon doesn't get enough credit. Sure, it's not a “Great" Lake, but it's still pretty great—after all, it's the largest lake entirely within the boundaries of Ontario! That alone sets this lake up to be a true Ontarian icon, but it's also known to be the hangout spot for another Canadian superstar: moose. If you go fishing here in the spring, you might see a moose or two swimming from the mainland onto one of the lake's many islands as they prepare to give birth. I know, I know, you came here to learn about the fish.

Lake Nipigon is particularly known for its world-famous brook trout (speckled trout) fishing, with some experienced anglers hooking record-breaking fish! You'll also find pike, walleye, and lake trout swimming here. The pike prefer the murky area near the shore, and the others tend to frequent the deeper, clearer waters. 

Things to Know: The peak season for Lake Nipigon fishing is June through August. If you're looking for some remote locations on the lake to go fishing, there is some planning required, so check out their official website for more information and access details.

Lake Nipigon. Photo courtesy of Northern Ontario Travel - The Official Magazine

3. Georgian Bay

Alright, this one is technically not a lake, but it is tucked into the northeast corner of Lake Huron! Just about anyone who's spent any time in Ontario has heard of Georgian Bay, its crystalline blue waters, and its unique rocky formations, including the famous “Grotto”. 

As the world's largest freshwater archipelago, it's home to incredible ecological and geological diversity, rich history, and countless islands to explore. One-of-a-kind artifacts are well-preserved by the cool, clear waters including centuries old shipwrecks and ancient archeological sites. 

Georgian Bay offers a massive fishing area, and each season brings unique opportunities. Spring is the time to look for pike, walleye, and smallmouth bass in the shallower waters. Meanwhile, the hot sunny days of summer are perfect for cruising into deeper waters and targeting salmon and trout. Fall will bring salmon into shallower waters again, but this is their spawning season. Finally, for the winter fishing enthusiasts out there, perch, lake trout, and whitefish are excellent for ice fishing! However, we do recommend ice fishing on smaller lakes, as it tends to be safer. For more info on how to prepare for an ice fishing trip, check out this blog.

Things to Know: The weather can change quickly on Georgian Bay (those famous Georgian Bay thunderstorms!), so make sure you have your day planned and keep an eye out for any signs of trouble. This is a large body of water, which means big waves and deep waters. Make sure you’re prepared to handle the sheer size of this water body! Multiple launch points make this accessible for anglers of all skill levels.

Georgian Bay. Photo Courtesy of Colin Field – Northern Ontario Travel - The Official Magazine.

4. Lake Simcoe

For those who live in or close to Toronto, Lake Simcoe offers great fishing that's not too far from home! About an hour north of the city, Lake Simcoe is the fourth largest lake fully within Ontario. This lake is perfect for anglers who love hitting the water year-round, especially if ice fishing is a regular part of your winter weekends. At this lake, you're likely to find lake trout, whitefish, and perch.

Things to Know: If you do go ice fishing on Lake Simcoe, just keep in mind you will definitely not be alone. This is a hot spot for cold fishing days, and it can get particularly crowded over the weekends. Consider weekday trips for a more peaceful experience.

Lake Simcoe. Photo courtesy of Ontario Parks Blog

5. Algonquin Park Lakes

Honestly, Algonquin deserves the hype. Ontario's first provincial park has hundreds of interconnected lakes, and it offers various water and land activities for everyone. Whether you prefer to go for a chill walk along the water or want the full, deep nature experience, Algonquin has something for you. 

You'll find the best fishing deep in the park's interior, and these areas are only accessible by canoe. Once you're there though, the fishing options would make even the grumpiest of anglers smile. The park is famous for Brook and Lake trout,  but you'll also find game fish like smallmouth bass, walleye, northern pike, and musky.

Things to Know: Algonquin has many rules in place to help protect the vibrant ecology and biodiversity of the park, so make sure to head over to their website to prepare for your trip. A couple of important things to note: live baitfish are prohibited in the park, it is illegal to transfer fish from one water body to another, and there is no regulated winter fishing. Algonquin serves as a fish sanctuary from December to April.

Algonquin Park. Photo courtesy of Destination Ontario

Catch You On the Lakes!

Now you know some of our favourite spots to cast a line in Ontario! The province offers some incredible fishing opportunities with a huge variety of fish species swimming around. However, before the fun, there needs to be some planning. We encourage you to plan your fishing trip and obtain any licenses you may need through the Ontario government website. You’ll also need to follow local regulations. To make sure you're following the consumption guidelines for the fish you catch, head over to Ontario's Guide to Eating Ontario Fish for safe consumption information. Check local fishing reports and connect with local outfitters for the most up-to-date conditions and insider tips. Finally, keep invasive species in mind. Keep your equipment and bilges clean, and don’t introduce bait fish to protect fisheries. 

Happy angling, folks!