There are many flavours associated with Northern Ontario, and fresh, locally caught fish is one of them. Walleye, Ontario’s favourite fish is generally on the menu, closely followed by fresh whitefish. Hand-breaded deep-fried fish and fresh-cut fries are the ultimate road trip food of the North. From the Northeast to the Northwest, and everything in between, we’ve created an Ontario Fish and Chips Trail that includes Manitoulin Island, follows the Georgian Bay coast to TransCanada Highway 17 to the shores of Lake Superior then heads west to beautiful Lake of the Woods. (Check out these epic Ontario picnic spots along the way).
This itinerary can be started in either direction, as we’ve noted which highways to take and recommend having cash, debit, or credit.
Stop, eat and enjoy this classic Ontario dish!
If you’re travelling from southern Ontario to Northeastern Ontario, take the MS Chi-Cheemaun Ferry from Tobermory in the Bruce Peninsula to get the first 2 fish and chip stops on the trail. The MS Chi-Cheemaun allows vehicles, bicycles, motorcycles, RVs and walk-ons. But in this case, you’ll need a motorized vehicle!
From South Baymouth take Highway 6, then Highway 542 and connect to 542A towards Tehkummah. You can visit the heritage Little Schoolhouse and Museum at 113 Church Street in South Baymouth to learn more about Tehkummah Township. Then, take Hwy 551 to Providence Bay.
This popular fish and chip restaurant in Providence Bay is situated in a bright blue building that used to house McDermid’s Home Hardware in the 1930s. Lake Huron Fish & Chips Co. serves tasty locally caught whitefish and English-style deep-fried haddock in their homemade beer batter. Another menu item to try is their burgers made with local Manitoulin beef. Pair your whitefish with fries, poutine or onion rings. Chase your fish and chips with ice cream from Huron Island Time.
For your next stop, get back on Hwy 551 then Hwy 542 to the community of Gore Bay on the western side of Manitoulin Island. Every July, Gore Bay hosts Harbour Days with festivals, parades, themed gatherings and more.
Part of the fun of this fish and chips stop is where it's located in Gore Bay. Purvis Fish & Chips is situated in a lighthouse-shaped building overlooking the beautiful bay with outdoor picnic tables and indoor seating for those rainy days. The restaurant has an extensive menu with local whitefish and pickerel which you can get by the piece, in a taco, as a burger or an appetizer like the bites or a smoked fish pate. What we also like about this menu is that you can add to your fish feast with a Blooming Onion, and follow up with Churros or Funnel Cakes for dessert. If you have the room that is. Check out our guide to Purvis Fish & Chips to learn more!
If you decide to drive along the Georgian Bay coast, take Highway 69 and try this fish and chip shop at Pointe au Baril on Highway 69.
Captain Sammy's Home Made Fish and Chips has been located on Hwy 69 at Pointe au Baril, since at least the 1990s (could be longer, this author is unsure). This fish and chips stop in a wooden building serving tasty local fresh whitefish and pickerel from Georgian Bay, fresh-cut fries, tartar, coleslaw and a slice of lemon. You can get haddock, burgers and poutine with gravy and cheese curds.
If you're looking to stay a few days in the area, Sturgeon Bay Provincial Park has tent sites and cottage rentals. Enjoy swimming, birding, canoeing and fishing at this park!
Heading north, take Hwy 69 to Sudbury and then connect to TransCanada Hwy 17 for these next few stops. Once you’ve reached the town of Spanish, Ontario, on TransCanada Hwy 17 you’re in Algoma Country.
A taste of locally caught fresh pickerel and Fish Nations cuisine. Brii-Co Miijim is a First Nations-owned and operated fish and chip establishment located in Serpent River First Nation near the Serpent River Trading Post with a covered pavilion for outdoor dining. Pickerel is panfried with their unique spice blend and served with beans, lemon and tartar sauce. You can order by the piece or order fish bites. Nish Tacos, Scone & Bologna, Scone Burgers and Dogs, or Soup n Scone are recommended if you’ve never tried Bannock.
After your meal, visit the Serpent River Trading Post for beautifully made First Nations art, pottery, paintings, wood carvings, stones, smoked fish and other products. A must-stop on Hwy 17!
This is a favourite stop in Sault Ste. Marie along Great Northern Road on TransCanada Highway 17. The Jack’s Chicken and Fish bright red trailer is easy to see from the roadway and has plenty of outdoor seating with covered red picnic tables. Their fish and chips are fresh local pickerel, served with coleslaw, tartar and lemon. You can also get cod, haddock and masala fish!
There is so much to see and do in Sault Ste. Marie. Museums, galleries, live music entertainment, paddling on the waterfront, nature walks and trails to see waterfalls. Don’t forget some great shopping! Plan a stay in Sault Ste. Marie by clicking here.
A hidden gem on Goulais Mission Road to explore Goulais on Lake Superior. Chi We Kwe Don Fish & Chips serves fresh Lake Superior whitefish and trout which you can get by the piece, or for dinner. Pickerel dinners are served with a choice of fries, baked potato, onion rings or salad. You’ll find Indian Tacos, Taco in a Bag, burgers and sandwiches on the menu.
This is a beautiful area on Lake Superior, and you should experience it by paddle! Forest the Canoe offers guided interpretive canoe tours for a few hours, a great way to work up an appetite for fish and chips!
If crispy battered fresh whitefish from Lake Superior is what you're craving, Agawa Fish and Chips will satisfy the craving. Situated in Pancake Bay across from Agawa Crafts and the Canadian Carver, this fish and chips spot is owned and operated by Agawa Fishery. Fish is hand-breaded and served with hand-cut fried and creamy coleslaw. You can buy their smoked fish as well. This is a great food stop when touring Lake Superior by car, RV or motorcycle.
Pancake Bay Provincial Park is nearby with a sandy beach over 3 km long with turquoise waters on a hot sunny day. It's been voted the best beach at Lake Superior Magazine's Best of the Lake contest for many years.
Head back onto Hwy 17 where you’ll drive through Lake Superior Provincial Park, and see the Wawa Goose Monument, and the Winnie-the-Pooh statue in White River before you reach Superior Country.
The perfect spot for a picnic with your fish and chips from The Golden Rail in Schreiber is easy to reach. First, get your tasty fried fish and crispy fries from this bright red food truck. Order your fish with a side of poutine and you've got the ultimate Canadian dish! The Golden Rail is also known for burgers like The Morganator (cheese, bacon, chipotle mayo, lettuce and tomato), The Crazy Train and their poutine if you’re looking for a meat fix.
To get to your Superior Picnic spot, head to Schreiber Beach, a 6-minute drive, so no worries about your food getting cold. The view of Lake Superior is beautiful. Two other things you can do after your fish and chips are hike along the Casque Isle Trails to the Parks Canada Red Chairs for a photo op or visit the Schreiber Discovery and Railway Museum which looks like a modern train station.
There is no better sunset in Ontario, than in Sunset Country. We’re not kidding. They are stunning here! Keep following TransCanada Hwy 17 for your final stops in northwestern Ontario on the Heart of Canada route.
You can’t go wrong with pairing your fish and chips with locally crafted Lake of the Woods beer in Kenora. Their taproom serves up a classic shore lunch but as a BLT served on garlic marble rye, crispy walleye, cheddar, bacon, lettuce, and tomato with roasted jalapeno aioli with a choice of side, which of course, should be crispy fries. The taproom Beer Menu offers craft, fruit-infused, specialties, flights, and non-alcoholic beer. Ask your server what beer pairs well with your shore lunch sammy.
While in Kenora, visit some of their unique attractions like Reddit Bottle House made entirely out of glass bottles and mortar, and the sculpture of Husky the Musky, or check out the Matiowski Farmers Market on Wednesdays from June to October.
Because this is the last stop on our Ontario Fish and Chips Trail, we had to do something different in mind. You catch your fish for an Ontario shore lunch, our favourite way to enjoy crispy fish! Spend your morning fishing at Totem Lodge in Sioux Narrows then sit back while your fishing guides cook the morning catch for you! The guide starts a fire, fillets the fish, then cooks it in Totem Lodge's secret breading recipe, then serves it alongside their famous potato hash, baked beans and dessert. This is a truly Canadian way to enjoy fresh Ontario fish!
The best place to learn about Ontario fishing is the Northern Ontario Sportfishing Centre while visiting Sioux Narrows. Exhibits include antique fishing equipment, vintage motors, boats and past fishing techniques. A great place to learn about the sport of fishing, and how anglers catch those tasty walleye and whitefish that you've enjoyed on the Ontario Fish and Chips Trail.
