The North Channel of Lake Huron, stretching from the mouth of the St. Marys River near Sault Ste. Marie to the open waters off Little Current and Thessalon, Ontario, is legendary among anglers and adventurers for both its fishing and its beauty. The landscape is shaped by glacial rhythms, dotted with rocky headlands, whispering pines, and sheltered coves that beckon boaters to pull up, build a fire, and turn the morning's catch into a feast.
A traditional Northern Ontarian shore lunch is about as authentic as outdoor culinary experiences get: fresh-caught walleye, smallmouth bass or trout dredged in flour, fried over an open fire, and served alongside beans, potatoes and bannock right on the water's edge. Guides and locals will tell you the secret isn’t just the fresh fish, it’s the setting—the sound of waves lapping the rocky shore, the hum of the breeze, and the company of fellow anglers sharing tales of the one that got away.
And this is shore lunch taken to the next level. Fancy feasts in settings almost too good to be true, upping the game with a little preparation and creativity to make the difference between a good day and truly unforgettable memories.
For shore lunch aficionados, several natural spots stand out. Near Spanish and Thessalon, there are quiet coves with gentle shorelines perfect for pulling your boat up and laying out a picnic blanket while you prep the grill—a great choice if you want a midday break between casts. The rugged shoreline of North Channel Inshore Provincial Park offers more remote and scenic spots for self-sufficient visitors willing to explore by boat, paddle or kayak.
If you’re looking for a combination of convenience and charm, small harbour towns like Little Current provide access to public waterfront parks and picnic areas where you can enjoy a shore lunch with a view of passing sailboats and islands draped in northern light. After you’ve eaten, consider exploring local history. Museums and historic sites in Blind River or along the waterfront marinas recount the region’s evolution from Indigenous canoe passageways to bustling fishing and boating hubs over the centuries.
The North Channel is one of Canada’s most diverse fishing grounds. In the shallows and river mouths you’ll find strong bites on bass and pike, while offshore waters hold walleyes, coho and chinook salmon, trout, and lake trout for those trolling or casting from rock points. Around the Spanish River delta in particular, anglers chase sizeable catfish and burbot—and every now and then, an unlucky sturgeon from the region’s successful stocking efforts might surprise an unsuspecting line.
46.1666732, -82.4147283 | Launch: Spanish Municipal Marina
A sheltered gem in the western channel, Gervase Island offers flat rocky ledges ideal for setting up a portable camp kitchen. The calm waters on the lee side give you a gorgeous backdrop while you cook, and the nearby grounds deliver consistent walleye and smallmouth.
On the menu:
46.0962057, -82.2459262 | Launch: Spanish Municipal Marina
Perhaps the most photogenic spot on the entire North Channel, the Benjamin Islands are a maze of pink granite outcroppings draped in windswept pines. Pull your boat onto a smooth, sun-warmed slab and cook against a backdrop that looks like it belongs in a Canadian wilderness painting.
On the menu:
46.0421096, -81.9575595 | Launch: Spider Bay Marina or Boyle Marine
Don't let the name fool you, Mosquito Island rewards those who make the journey with dramatic shoreline scenery and excellent trout fishing in the surrounding deep water passages. The rocky points are perfect for a mid-day fire and a beautifully plated catch.
On the menu:
46.0797701, -81.7883705 | Launch: Bay of Islands Launch or Forbes Holiday Resort
Aptly named, Random Rock delivers the true essence of North Channel exploration, stumbling upon a perfect perch in the middle of nowhere and deciding right then and there that lunch must be made. Largemouth bass thrive in the weedy bays nearby.
On the menu:
46.0548331, -81.4765912 | Launch: Still Water Marina, McGregor's Landing, or Herbert Fisheries
Topaz Lake is the kind of place where you stop talking mid-sentence just to take in the view. The fishing is exceptional—smallmouth, lake trout, and rainbow trout are all fair game—and the setting elevates even the simplest meal into something special.
On the menu:
45.9959561, -81.2172943 | Launch: Chikanishing Creek Parking Lot, Killarney Provincial Park
At the eastern reaches of the North Channel, Mill Lake sits inside Georgian Bay's rugged wilderness. The waters here are prime pike territory, and the island's remote character calls for creative cooking that makes the most of a big, toothy catch.
On the menu:
Whether it’s the thrill of reeling in a hard-fighting walleye from a rocky drop-off or just the simple satisfaction of frying your catch while the sun warms your back, the North Channel delivers a classic lakeside adventure that’s about as Canadian as it gets.
