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5 Excuses to Fish in Northern Ontario

Not everyone needs an excuse to go fishing but some need a little push in the right direction. If you think you’re one of those people who needs a push, here are five excuses that you can use, and a remedy to go with it. When penning these excuses at the Algoma County office, we felt like we covered all situations.

1. THE EXCUSE: ANY FISH CAUGHT OUTSIDE OF AN AREA CODE CAN BE EXAGGERATED.

Every angler is guilty of embellishing a fishing story at one time or another. How a fish was “this big” or how the “big one got away” and that’s why you don’t have any photos. It’s time to stop being an embellisher. It’s time to actually catch fish That big.

The Remedy: Plan a fishing trip in Algoma Country because the fish here are those big fish that you can brag about to family, friends and strangers on the internet. Instagram-worthy fish bragging photos. Big northern pike, walleye, chunky bass and big brookies that will make your friends jealous, and huge muskie. Whether you plan a drive-in, fly-in, or train-in fishing trip, there are whoppers to be caught in our lakes and rivers.  

Plan Your Trip: www.fishalgoma.net or phone toll-free at 1-800-263-2546 to request a free Algoma Travel Guide. It even has a big fish on the cover. 

2. THE EXCUSE: YOUR BETTER HALF WANTS A CITY VACAY TO SHOP, DINE AND VISIT THE SPA.

You’d love to spend the day carrying shopping bags and saying “that looks nice, dear,” but you also know there’s fish out there waiting to be caught. You’ve got at least five hours minimum before you have to put on something nice and go to dinner. What do you do? 

A great fishing river within walking distance of the downtown? Yes! (Photo credit: The New Fly Fisher)

The Remedy: Book a guided fishing trip. There are guide services that will take you fishing in the world-renowned St. Marys River Rapids in Sault Ste. Marie for steelhead and salmon. There are charter fishing services that will take you onto the river for awesome salmon and trout fishing. These guides even know secret fishing spots not far from city limits in pristine wilderness. Whether you’re a fly fisher or not, it doesn’t matter. All that matters is that you don’t have to participate in a couples’ mani-pedi. You’re not even sure what that is.

Plan Your Great Escape: https://www.algomacountry.com/fish-hunt/fishing-charters or phone toll-free at 1-800-263-2546 to request a free Algoma Travel Guide.

3. THE EXCUSE: SCHOOL'S OUT FOR SUMMER AND THE KIDS ARE BORED.

Remember being a kid and having your whole summer planned? Playing in the street, sneaking into construction yards, baseballs through windows, endless bike riding and no parental supervision? Unfortunately, life is no longer like the summers seen in movies like Stand By Me. Kids don’t have the freedom of days gone by and are connected to their electronics 24 hours a day.

Let the kids be kids! All that fresh air will tire them out – they'll forget all about the internet. (Photo credit: James Smedley)

The Remedy: Unplug your kids from their devices and give them freedom in the great outdoors. Teach them life’s most important lessons: how to catch and clean fish, how to canoe/kayak/row a boat, the fun of scratching mosquito bites, cannonballing off the dock into clear water and the glory of a Northern Ontario sunset. Teach them it’s OK to drop a hot dog in the fire, wash it off in the lake and continue roasting it. Remember: if the kids are fishing, it means you’re fishing.

Plan A Family Getaway: Cottage Resorts, Campgrounds (teach them to pitch a tent, or take the RV out of the driveway this year)

4. THE EXCUSE: Friends KEEP TALKING ABOUT GOING ON A FISHING TRIP.

We’ve all had conversations with our friends about making plans to go fishing but it just never seems to happen. Everyone can relate to this situation. You just let it go by and never take action on the idea. And there is always one friend that brags about the incredible fishing trips they go on and how they always get to go somewhere different.


(Photo credit: James Smedley)

The Remedy: It’s time to take action. It’s time to plan that fishing trip with your friends. Whether you’re looking for a weekend getaway, or you all took the same week off for vacation, you can find the type of fishing trip you’ve been talking about for ages. Fly-ins, drive-ins, train-ins, American Plan, Housekeeping cottages, boats, everything you need for this trip is in Northern Ontario. All you’ll need to bring is your fishing gear and your friends. It’s that easy.

Plan Your Buddy Trip: Find every kind of fishing trip at www.algomacountry.com/fish-hunt or phone toll-free at 1-800-263-2546 to request a free Algoma Travel Guide. 

5. THE EXCUSE: WORKING TOO HARD, BURIED IN PAPERWORK AND PROJECTS. 

If you live you have to work, that’s just a fact of life. Sometimes you work too much which could be the nature of your job, or you just like working. But everyone needs a break, including you.


In a place like this, you will be getting away from everything and everyone. (Photo credit: James Smedley)

The Remedy: Take a fishing trip because you need to get away from it all. Leave the noise and fuss of early morning and after-work traffic. Leave the daily grind behind you as you venture further North into a landscape of rugged mountains, thick green trees and pristine lakes and rivers. Leave behind the smog for fresh clear air. Leave behind the light pollution for dark skies full of bright stars and the northern lights.

Leave it all behind to go fishing!

About Algoma Staff Writer

Algoma Country is a spectacular 4-season vacation destination for outdoor and urban adventures. The region borders Lake Superior and Lake Huron and is rich in old-growth forests, and countless waterways.