Ontario is Canada’s top fishing destination

Ministry of Natural Resources

In addition to providing information regarding fishing rules, regulations and licences, the Ministry of Natural Resources also supports wildlife management, helping make Ontario a top angling destination.

The ministry is responsible for stocking lakes, rivers and streams with millions of fish every year. Fish stocking is important as it helps rebuild fish populations and allows for longer fishing seasons in some areas.

Funds collected from fishing licences support enforcement and safety and help maintain the ministry’s Fish ON-Line app and Learn to Fish, a free program that teaches new anglers how to fish in Ontario.

Other investments include:

• Education and conservation officers
• Protection from invasive species
• Monitoring fish and wildlife diseases
• Improving fish habitats
• Surveying fish populations

Diversity of fish species

The diversity of fish species in Ontario is one of the reasons so many anglers are drawn to the province. The Fish ON-Line app lists 35 different types of fish in Ontario’s water. These range from the relatively easy-to-catch sunfish (bluegill) to the elusive "fish of 10,000 casts"—the muskellunge or muskie.

Other popular fish include rainbow, brown and brook trouts, as well as the delicious walleye. Some fish, like the smallmouth bass, put up an exciting fight for experienced anglers. Others, like perch, are easier to catch giving novices of all ages the opportunity to reel one in.

Bowfin, splake, catfish, carp and whitefish are some other species that can be caught in Ontario’s waterways.

Variety of angling experiences

Whether you’re looking to spend a sunny afternoon casting off a dock with your family or you prefer a remote, solo, wilderness adventure, Ontario has something for anglers of all skill levels at a variety of price points—another reason Ontario is a sought-after fishing destination.

The most accessible places to fish are in Southern Ontario but once you’re hooked (pun intended) you’re sure to start looking further and further afield for more remote and adventurous experiences.

Fishing for beginners

If you’re new to fishing, Ontario offers plenty of opportunities for you to get started.

For instance, Learn to Fish is a free program that teaches new anglers the basics. Over the course of the 2-hour session, you’ll learn how to rig, bait and cast a fishing rod as well as identify local fish species. You’ll also partake in one hour of supervised hands-on fishing. All fishing equipment is provided.

Sessions are offered at permanent Learn to Fish locations and at Mobile Learn to Fish units which operate on select dates and locations throughout the summer. If you prefer, you can try the digital version of the program, complete with fun quizzes and games.

If you want to try fishing before you commit to purchasing a licence, you’re in luck. Four times a year, Canadian residents can participate in free family fishing. On these dates, you can fish without a licence, provided you obey the Ontario rules and regulations.

Drive-in fishing lodges

There are over 2,000 fishing lodges in Ontario. And while some are remote and hard to get to, most are accessible by car. The majority of drive-in fishing lodges are family-friendly and provide plenty of entertainment for kids.

Waterfalls Lodge, just outside of Spanish, offers the perfect family experience thanks to its small, sandy beach equipped with water toys, canoes, kayaks and a floating trampoline. In Southern Ontario, there are a huge number of drive-in lodges, such as Alpine Resort, Little Hawk Resort and Marina, Severn Lodge, Crane’s Lochaven Wilderness Lodge and many more.

Train-in, fly-in and boat-in fishing lodges

Whether you’re looking for a fly-in lodge, a train-in cabin or a boat-access-only resort, Ontario has a wide variety of remote fishing experiences.

Lodge Eighty Eight, far from any roadway, is accessible by floatplane or train. This Esnagi Lake lodge, located outside the town of White River, has two accommodation packages. For a hassle-free experience, book the American Plan, which includes home-cooked meals. If you plan on cooking what you catch, the Deluxe Housekeeping Plan allows you to prepare your own meals.

Other rail-access lodges include Mar Mac Lodge and Loch Island Lodge.

For floatplane adventures, fly in to places like Buck Lake Wilderness Lodges and Outposts, Blue Fox Camp or Henderson’s Outposts. Hearst Air will fly you to one of their remote camps where the fishing is incredible and the chance of running into anyone else is slim to none.

If you have your own boat or plan to rent one, water-access lodges include Chaudiere Lodge, Red Pine Lodge, Prairie Bee Outpost Camps and more.

Ice fishing

Ice fishing is a truly Canadian experience. And ice fishing in Ontario is one of the best places to enjoy this winter pastime.

One of the most popular ice fishing spots in the province is Lake Simcoe. Rent a hut at Tim Hales Fish Huts for a chance to reel in perch, herring, lake trout and whitefish. Don’t forget to bring your rod as not all equipment is included in the rental rate. If you want to purchase your own ice fishing gear, Al Flaherty’s Outdoor Store in Toronto offers a variety of options.

Fishing charters

Ontario is home to so many fishing charters, you’ll be tempted to try more than just one. If you’re in the Toronto area, Epic Sportfishing offers five-hour salmon charters out of Bluffer’s Park Marina. Georgian Bay’s U Catch’em Charters specializes in lake trout, brown trout and rainbow trout. Further afield, Sault Ste. Marie’s Redwood Sportfishing Charters offers both salmon and trout packages at different times of the year.

There are a few things to know before you book a charter.

Houseboating for anglers   

Rent a houseboat with friends or family for the ultimate do-it-yourself getaway. Houseboats, equipped with kitchens, bathrooms and bedrooms, give you the freedom to fish Ontario’s beautiful shorelines at your own pace. If you’re lucky, you might even catch your dinner!

One of the most popular places for houseboating in Ontario is on the Trent-Severn Waterway. Stretching 386 kilometres from Lake Ontario’s Bay of Quinte to Georgian Bay, there are numerous hotspots to fish along this route and plenty of places to rent houseboats.

H2O Getaways, located in Quinte West, operates along the Trent-Severn Waterway between Trenton and Peterborough. Choose between three tastefully decorated 44-foot boats, each of which can accommodate up to six adults. Egan Houseboats in Omemee offers driving and docking lessons for those who need a few pointers before setting sail. And if you’re looking for a floating cottage, R&R Houseboat Rentals has a 60-foot boat that sleeps 16.

Another popular houseboating destination is Lake Temagami, a vast, island-filled water system 80 kilometres north of North Bay. Leisure Island Houseboat Rentals, the lake’s first and largest houseboat rental company, has a fleet that has been delighting anglers for over 40 years.