Ontario has no shortage of activities that allow spending time in the great outdoors. Fishing is one of the most popular activities that Canadians in the province enjoy. Home to half a million beautiful lakes, it is no surprise why the activity is so popular in the province. With the warm weather finally here, now’s the best time to share our top picks for the best spots in the province to cast your reel. Whether you’re new at the hobby or more experienced, there is a place on this list for everyone to enjoy! So grab your gear, invite some friends, and get ready for a relaxing day by the water. Here are our top picks for the best fishing spots in Ontario.
1. Lake Huron
As the second-largest of the Great Lakes, Lake Huron reigns as one of the most popular fishing destinations in the province. With a vast surface of 23,000 square miles, a plethora of fish are waiting to be caught. If you enjoy big-water fishing, Lake Huron is the spot for you. As the 4th largest lake in the world, you’ll find a healthy amount of lake trout and leaping salmon. Not only is Lake Huron a prime destination for fishing in the summer months, but you’ll also find that fall is a great time if you’re looking to catch salmon. On top of this, the lake is home to a bunch of walleye, whitefish, and perch. If you’re a fan of fishing and haven’t tried Lake Huron, you’re missing out!
2. Lake Erie
Though Lake Erie may be the second smallest of the Great Lakes in terms of volume, it is not one to miss! Sitting at over 241 miles in length and 57 miles at its widest, it is far from tiny! Even with it being one of the smallest Great Lakes, it is packed with different types of fish to catch. At Lake Erie, you’ll find largemouth bass, smallmouth bass, steelhead, lake trout, and rainbow trout! What makes Lake Erie even greater is the vast amount of activities available to you for when you’re done fishing! The lake is home to several hiking trails, nature parks, and spots for bird-watching. On top of this, it is the most shallow of the Great Lakes, making it one of the warmest. Whether it’s with family or friends, Lake Erie is the perfect destination for a fun, summer day.
3. Lake Ontario
When it comes to area, Lake Ontario is the smallest of the great lakes. However, similar to Lake Erie, it has its fair share of fish waiting to be caught! A fishing trip on Lake Ontario is the best of what all of the Great Lakes has to offer! This is because all four lakes flow into Lake Ontario before emptying into the Atlantic Ocean. Due to this, the lake is home to tons of diverse wildlife and fish! With the province of Ontario to the north and the state of New York to the south, Lake Ontario is a go-to spot for anglers of all skill levels. Here, you’ll find tons of Chinook salmon, trout, steelhead, walleye, pike, and bass! A charter boat will also give you the extra freedom to move around and change spots quickly, giving you full range!
4. Kawartha Lakes
The Kawartha Lakes is a municipality located in the heart of south-central Ontario. Whether you’re about to cast your rod for the first time or a fishing pro, the Kawartha Lakes is home to some of the best Ontario fishing spots. Surrounded by vast farmland down south, the land offers many opportunities to catch fish. You can expect to catch panfish, large and smallmouth bass, pike, perch, pickerel, and muskies. The best part is the Kawartha Lakes offer ample fishing opportunities year-round. This means that whether you’re after warm or cold-water fish, there is always something for you to catch.
5. Lake Nipissing
If you consider yourself an angler, Lake Nipissing is the spot for you. Voted the number one ice fishing destination in Canada for 2023 by Fishing Booker, the lake spans from North Bay to the South Bay. Nipissing is home to some of Ontario’s most sought-after fish. At 65 kilometres long and 25 kilometres wide, the lake is the gift that gives all year round. In particular, Nipissing has a long history with walleye fishing and has been the go-to spot for anglers from across the country. On top of this, the lake is home to both smallmouth and largemouth bass, northern pike, and muskies! Make a weekend out of it and check out some of the numerous lodges near the lake, listed on Ontario’s website.
6. Lake Simcoe
Dubbed a “four-season fishing hot spot”, Lake Simcoe has no shortage of fishing action. Another world-famous ice fishing destination, this list wouldn’t be complete without Lake Simcoe. Due to its proximity to Toronto, Lake Simcoe gets a bunch of action throughout the year. A go-to destination for ice fishers everywhere, Simcoe offers different types of fish to catch. Pike, whitefish, trout, yellow perch, walleye, and ling are some of the most popular catches. The action isn’t just in the winter, however! During the summer months, you can expect smallmouth and largemouth bass, as well as round goby, black crappie, and perch!
7. Lake Superior
Home to some of the clearest water the province has to offer, Lake Superior has an average visibility of around eight meters. As a hot spot for anglers, Lake Superior offers a bunch of different fish, such as lake trout, northern pike, walleye, cisco, white fish, and siscowet. Whether you’re a pro or simply want to spend a day with the family, you’ll have a blast fishing at Lake Superior. You can also take a day trip and dip your toes in, as the Canadian charter captains here offer a bunch of different trips at different skill levels.
8. Algonquin Provincial Park
Home to some beautiful headwater lakes, winding rivers, and tons of camping space, Algonquin is the perfect getaway location if you’re searching for Ontario fishing spots. The park is home to over 1,500 lakes and 1,200 kilometres of streams and rivers tucked away in its vast landscape. The park has a lot to offer in the world of fishing. In fact, its world-class trout fishing lures fishers from all corners of Ontario and beyond! On top of this, the beginning of June marks the park’s bass season, continuing through the summer.
9. Rainy Lake
Sitting on the border of Minnesota and Ontario, Rainy Lake is the go-to spot for fishers looking to catch smallmouth bass. This isn’t all the lake has to offer, however. This spot is also terrific for catching some northern pike, wallies, and crappies. Though this is a popular spot for anglers, the fish alone isn’t what brings so many to Rainy Lake! As the fifth largest inland lake in Ontario, Rainy Lake has many cozy places to stay, national parks, and nature/wildlife areas. If you’d like to get out on the water, Rainy Lake offers boat launches and spots to fix up your boat if it needs tuning!
10. Lake Nipigon
A real haven for fishermen and fisherwomen, Lake Nipigon is home to almost 1,900 square miles of prime fishing property. Here, you can catch multiple fish weighing in at over six pounds, with some lucky fishermen breaking the 10-pound mark every so often! At Lake Nipigon, you can hook some pike, lake trout, walleye, and whitefish. For those who are into fly fishing, you’re also in luck! The Nipigon River is perfect for the average fly-fisher, and can be enjoyed by anyone from May right up until the lake freezes over!
Best Ontario fishing spots: Conclusion
With these Ontario fishing spots in mind, you’re on track to an excellent summer filled with brilliant catches! Fishing is a terrific way of spending quality time outside with your family or friends. It can also be an incredible way to get some much-needed alone time! Remember to always keep up to date on the rules and regulations for recreational fishing in Ontario. If you’re planning on traveling out on the lake with your boat, take a look at our 10 tips for boat safety. Have a safe and happy summer!
