Ontario is a province in Canada, and its fishing spots are some of the best. With over 11,000 lakes, Ontario has a plethora of fishing opportunities for everyone. This article will look at the best fishing spots in Ontario.
What Kind of Fish You Can Catch in Each Lake?
The most common fish caught in these Ontario fishing lakes are northern pike, walleye, smallmouth bass, and perch. Some of the most popular fish to see include: muskie, trout, salmon, and sturgeon.
Best Fishing Lakes in Ontario
Below are the best Ontario lakes to fish in.
Lake Nipissing
Lake Nipissing is one of the top Ontario fishing spots. Lake Nipissing has over 50 different species of fish that swim there, including lake trout, northern pike, sturgeon, whitefish, and salmon. This lake covers 657 square kilometers and offers many opportunities for boat access to its bountiful resources. One can also find wild rice beds along this body of water which is home to various types of birds, including swans and ducks. The best time to visit is during spring, when anglers can cash in on an abundance of prey items part of the fish community.
Lake Erie
Lake Erie is also known as Lake Ontario’s westernmost bay and has over 115,000 kilometers of shoreline that offers boat access to most anyone. The water in this area is generally shallow, which makes it an excellent option for children who are just learning how to fish. It offers many types of fishing, including ice fishing, trolling, fly fishing, and jigging. There is a healthy population of game fish in this lake, such as walleye, perch, bass, and trout, so there is something for everyone regarding the best fishing spots in Ontario. This lake reaches depths up to 15 meters, so those looking for deeper dives can head to Pelee Island.
Lake Huron
Despite its name, Lake Huron is the second largest of all the Great Lakes and can be found in Ontario, Canada, and Michigan, USA. This massive body of water has over 350 species that inhabit it, including trout, salmon, pike, and many more types of fish. The fishing opportunities at this lake are endless for anyone willing to venture out on a boat and spend some time exploring the deep dark depths below. Each year thousands head out onto Lake Huron, where they enjoy catching steelhead trout, whitefish, chinook salmon, coho salmon, and brown trout. Some other activities around this lake include scuba divings, kayaking, and even fishing off the shore.
Lake Simcoe
This lake is one of the top spots for ice fishing in Ontario due to its thick thickness throughout winter, reaching up to six feet at times. It offers many different species of fish, including perch, walleye, bass, and trout. This lake spans an area that stretches over 1,500 kilometers, making it the third-largest in the province. It offers prime boat access with significant firepower since it features 635 fire pits along its shores. Some other activities include kiteboarding, water skiing, windsurfing, and sailing, which are available year-round for those who don’t mind taking on some waves.
Lake Nipigon
This lake is an excellent place to fish for pike, walleye, and whitefish, known in the area as “redfish.” This large body of water has a depth of up to 100 meters, making it one of the deepest lakes in Eastern Canada. It boasts over 400 kilometers of shoreline with many opportunities for boat access. One can also find wild rice beds along this body of water which provides much-needed cover for various types of birds, including swans and ducks. With so much diverse wildlife surrounding this area, boaters can enjoy looking out at bald eagles soaring above them or even spotting moose on their way home from a long day on the water.
Lake of the Woods
This 16,000 square kilometer area is one of the largest lakes in Ontario and the fourth-largest in Canada behind Huron, Superior, and Erie. With its large size comes even more significant numbers of fish, including walleye, northern pike, crappie, bass, and perch, to name a few. The best time to head out here is during fall when one can catch some nice-sized muskies before winter settles in. A unique aspect of this lake is that it straddles both the Canadian and USA borders, so boaters have access from either side depending on where they launch their boats. One can also find many resorts with all kinds of amenities around this area, including bars, restaurants, and overnight stay options.
Lake Manitou
One of the best things about Lake Manitou is that it’s accessible year-round, making it one of the best fishing spots in Ontario for ice anglers. It has some great fishing opportunities, such as walleye, northern pike, and bass, with deep water angling being a personal favorite. This lake boasts over 50 kilometers of shoreline and just under 50 kilometers of islands, making it a prime location for boat access. There are also two lodges near this area that offer overnight camping and amenities such as barbeques and hot showers. The island at the midpoint provides excellent wildlife viewing, so those who aren’t up to catching any fish can still enjoy their time out on the water.
Lake of Bays
This lake offers some of the best fishing for bass and perch in all of Ontario, also known as “panfish.” Other excellent sport fish included are walleye, northern pike, or muskies if one is willing to go deeper into the lake. One can find boat launches scattered throughout this 860 square kilometer area, allowing people access to both sides where latitude extremes meet. There are also many resorts around this body of water, giving boaters plenty of places to spend the night after a busy day enjoying what Lake of Bays has to offer. This includes biking trails, golf courses, or beautiful views on the water.
Lake Simcoe
This lake is one of the top spots for ice fishing in Ontario due to its thick thickness throughout winter, reaching up to six feet at times. It offers many different species of fish, including perch, walleye, bass, and trout. This lake spans an area that stretches over 1,500 kilometers, making it the third-largest in the province. It offers prime boat access with significant firepower since it features 635 fire pits along its shores. Some other activities include kiteboarding, water skiing, windsurfing, and sailing, which are available year-round for those who don mind taking on some waves.
Lake Nipigon
This lake is an excellent place to fish for pike, walleye, and whitefish, known in the area as “redfish.” This large body of water has a depth of up to 100 meters, making it one of the deepest lakes in Eastern Canada. It boasts over 400 kilometers of shoreline with many opportunities for boat access. One can also find wild rice beds along this body of water which provides much-needed cover for various types of birds, including swans and ducks. With so much diverse wildlife surrounding this area, boaters can enjoy looking out at bald eagles soaring above them or even spotting moose on their way home from a long day on the water.
Lake Scugog
This lake has an area that measures over 830 square kilometers making it the second-largest in Ontario. It also boasts some excellent wildlife viewing opportunities, with both deer and bears frequently spotted throughout the area. One can find boat launches located at various points along this massive body of water to enjoy access on both sides, including Erieau, Port Perry, and Clarke’s Bay. This is one of the best fishing spots in Ontario for people looking to catch different kinds of fish, including pike, bass, pickerel, perch, and walleye. The deepest point reaches up to 20 meters, so if someone decides to try out their luck at ice fishing, this would be the perfect spot.
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