The fish grow big in Northwestern Ontario!

Anderson's Lodge

7 Species Worth Fishing for in Ontario

Ontario has many species of fish swimming in its 250,000 lakes, rivers, and streams. Up here, the chance to catch a trophy is a real possibility. How many of these have you caught?

By Staff Writer, Northern Ontario Travel

July 17, 2024

There's No Place Like Ontario for Fishing

Ontario is the number one Canadian destination for anglers from the United States and hundreds of thousands of Ontario residents fish here too. The reasons why Ontario has the best fishing are largely self-evident, but if we were to create a list, it might look something like this:

Variety: Ontario has one of the most varied freshwater fisheries in the world, and what you catch depends on where you go and what baits you use. There are so many species here; you can't count them on two hands or three!
Size: From a fishing perspective, bigger is better, and when you fish in Ontario, especially northern Ontario, you always have a chance to catch a fish that is actually trophy size. The average size of the fish in Ontario is also bigger for most species, so there's that.
Numbers: Not only can you catch a trophy in Ontario, but you can also catch a lot of fish! Visit a fly-in outpost in Northwestern Ontario and 100 walleye in a day is not an uncommon experience.
Accessibility: With 250,000 lakes, rivers, and streams, fishing is accessible to everyone, even in the big cities. You don't have to go far to wet a line in Ontario.

7 Ontario Fish Species to Put on Your Bucket List

With so many species to choose from, it's not easy picking a top 7, but that will not prevent us from doing so. Here are the top 7 species you should put on your bucket list to catch in Ontario:

1. Walleye

Also called "pickerel" by many Canadians, walleye are Ontario's most sought-after fish species. Ontario probably has more walleye than anywhere else in North America, so catching one shouldn't be a problem if you visit here. On trips to remote outpost lakes, 100-fish days are relatively common. Ontario has endless walleye lakes, but some of the best-known ones include Lac Seul, Red Lake, Lake of the Woods, Esnagi Lake, Whitefish Lake, and Lake Nipissing.

2. Muskellunge

Known as "the fish of 10,000 casts," muskies are not the easiest fish to catch, but in Ontario, it will be easier than anywhere else. The muskies up here grow to the supersized variety, and Ontario has a higher population than anywhere else. The definition of excitement is trying to reel in a 50", 30-pound muskie that hits when you are fishing for bass! Good luck there. Famous muskie lakes: Lake of the Woods, Eagle Lake, Lac Seul, Lake Nipissing, Georgian Bay, Lake St. Clair, and the St. Lawrence River.

3. Lake Trout

Giant lake trout caught on Lake Superior

Ontario has cold, deep lakes, and most harbour healthy lake trout populations. During the summer season, you have to go 60-100 feet deep to catch these, but when you do, prepare for a good fight. Bringing a big trout up from the depths can take a while. Pound for pound, lake trout can measure up to almost any freshwater fish in terms of the fight.

Tip: In spring, you can catch lakers in shallow water for 2-3 weeks after the ice melts. Famous trout lakes include Lake Superior, Lake Nipigon, Lake of the Woods, Upper and Lower Manitou, Trout Lake, Pipestone Lake, and many more.

4. Northern Pike

Trophy northern pike caught in Sunset Country, Ontario

While it's true you can catch northern pike in many places, not many of those have the numbers and sizes Ontario has. On some larger lakes, pike can exceed 45 inches and 30 pounds! Those razor-sharp teeth are also something to marvel at and be wary of. Truth be told, almost every lake in the Province harbours pike. You'll be successful when the other fish aren't biting; just target pike. The Ontario record pike was caught in Delaney Lake, north of Kenora in Ontario's Sunset Country.

5. Bass

Al Lindner with a Sunset Country smallmouth bass.

Many places have excellent bass fishing, especially in the US, but in Ontario, the sheer numbers of smallmouth bass, especially in Northern Ontario, and the fact there is little fishing pressure mean you can hammer bass after bass all day long when the conditions are right. We also have lakes in Ontario with lunker largemouths, and some lakes have both. Legendary angler Al Lindner calls the smallmouth bass fishing in Northwestern Ontario the "best in North America," so that's a solid recommendation. Escape the summer heat, the endless number of other boats, and the boat launch rage you experience in the US. Visit Ontario for a bass fishing trip.

6. Salmon/Steelhead

In the "species you might not have thought of category" are salmon and steelhead. On average, steelhead grows larger than most of the salmon we see in Ontario (except chinooks). They are mentioned together here more because of where and how you catch them. Both species live in the Great Lakes, especially Lake Superior and Lake Ontario, and the "runs" happen in tributaries of Lake Superior, such as the Nipigon River and St. Mary's River. They are a favourite of fly-fishing anglers across the continent. Chinooks (shown below) can grow big and put up an incredible fight.

7. Brook Trout

Brook trout caught on Nipigon River in Superior Country

Did you know that Ontario holds the world record for brook trout? Caught in 1915 on the famous Nipigon River, the brookie was 31.5 inches in length and weighed 14.5 pounds. The Nipigon River is a brook trout destination that attracts fly-fishing anglers from Canada, the US, and globally. It consistently delivers large brook trout and lots of them. The colours of this fish are stunning!

Other Ontario Fish Species Worth Mentioning

With an area of 1.076 million square kilometres and over 250,000 freshwater lakes, the list above doesn't cover everything you can catch here. Honourable mentions go out to the following species:

Black Crappie: One of the best-tasting fish in Ontario, lunker black crappie are caught here, especially in Northwestern Ontario.
Perch: A favourite of many panfish anglers, perch are plentiful across the province.
Burbout/Eelpout/Ling: Some anglers say burbot, also called ling or eelpout, is the equivalent of freshwater lobsters. Not the prettiest looking fish, most people target eelpout through the ice during winter.
Carp: Believe it or not, many people, especially those in Southern Ontario, like to fish for carp. These fish love river habitats and can grow to enormous sizes.
Catfish: Set up your pickerel rig with a couple of nightcrawlers and a one-ounce sinker, cast it out into the middle of the river, and wait. A channel cat could hit the bait, and the fight is on!