Discovery a muskie gem in Algoma Country

The Goulais River is an overlooked gem that you might want to check out during spring or fall.

There are lots of muskie destinations throughout Ontario, Canada, however, one of the most overlooked is Lake Superior. Certainly with its vast size trying to locate muskies within giant Lake Superior itself can be difficult. However, there is a muskie gem waiting for you that can offer to make catching Lake Superior muskies much easier.

The location is the Goulais River located in the Algoma Region of Ontario Canada. This is the largest tributary on the eastern side of Lake Superior, located approximately 20 miles north of Sault Ste. Marie, Ontario Canada. The Goulais River originates in the Algoma Highlands and flows westerly winding its way through a valley, ultimately discharging into Lake Superior. The view of this area is simply breathtaking.

The Goulais River is host to a localized population of muskies that use the Goulais River to spawn. There are always some muskies located in the Goulais River, but the majority of the muskies use the Goulais early and late in the year. After the spawn, the muskies will remain in the River, but ultimately they make their way into Lake Superior to spend the summer. In the fall, the muskies will return to the Goulais and stage outside the mouth and move back into the Goulais River. Therefore, there are some tremendous opportunities at catching Lake Superior muskies that exist both in spring and late fall. Just imagine the potential of contacting a giant muskie in a small river, which spends the entire summer in Lake Superior.

The best fishing in the Goulais River exists within a two-mile stretch near the mouth of Lake Superior. The Goulais River actually forms three different branches as it enters Lake Superior and all can hold muskies. In addition, just outside the mouth of the Goulais River is a large weed bed and a break line that forms at the mouth of Lake Superior, which holds muskies both spring and fall before they suspend into the abyss of Lake Superior. The Goulais River and the mouth of Lake Superior offer a tremendous opportunity for a trophy muskies.

Some of the key areas within the Goulais River include isolated weed beds, fallen trees, docks, and the area where the Goulais River divides into three branches, and the mouth of the Goulais River as it enters Lake Superior. It’s important to locate areas with reduced current. Key lures include smaller bucktails, particularly early in the season, topwater lures and crankbaits.

Jim Saric with a hybrid tiger muskie caught from the Goulais River in spring.

The Goulais River also hosts some giant hybrid, tiger muskies as well. I caught a beauty while filming an episode of The Musky Hunter Television Show last spring while fishing with my friend Rob Cadeau.

The Goulais River is an overlooked gem that you might want to check out during spring or fall. There are great places to stay in the area that is not far from the river.

About Jim Saric

Jim owns Jim Saric Outdoors, Inc., which is dedicated to elevating the sport of musky fishing to new levels by educating anglers through print, web, and television. He is the publisher, editor and owner of Musky Hunter Magazine and the Executive Producer of The Musky Hunter television series. Jim has over twenty-five years experience fishing lakes, rivers, and reservoirs from Minnesota to New York and all across Canada. He has boated more than 100 muskies exceeding 50 inches in length, the largest weighing 53 pounds.

Recommended Articles

Planning for Pike

Start Planning for Trophy Fishing

Lake Lauzon with Fish'n Canada

Walleye, Pike, and Smallmouth Bass with some real giants in the mix.

Fly Fishing for Smallmouth Bass Year Round

A drive-to cottage resort where the smallmouth fishing is second to none.

5 Keys To Canadian Muskies

The fish of 10,000 casts; an elusive predator fish with legend and lore.

Big Water, Big Fish

Chinook fishing on the Nipigon River

Sun Trout and Ice

Algoma's Elliot Lake for days of Sun and catching Trout on the Ice.

Fishing the Exceptional Waters at Blue Fox Camp

Incredible Brook Trout Fishing is just a flight away in the heart of Algoma Country.

Smallmouth Fishing After a Northern Ontario Cold Front

An exciting smallmouth bass fishing trip to Sunset Country.

Catching More Smallmouth Bass

Top 5 Deadly Secrets That You Need to Know

The Pros Go-To Tactics

Tips to get the most of your Summer Bass Fishing in Ontario

Top 5 Tips to Help Improve a Day’s Fly Fishing

If you integrate these tips you’ll find your time on the water is maximized.

Northern Ontario is Great for Fall Bass

Learn the best regions for fall bass fishing.

Eating Northern Pike

The Best Recipe to Cook This Fish

Fishing and Foraging

Add some fresh foods and forage to your fishing adventures!

A Houseboat Adventure

The Ontario Experience visits Lac Seul in search of huge muskie

Bronzebacks of the Whalesback

One of the top bass destinations in North America.

Finding Walleye Gold

Fish at Moose Horn Lodge and Experience Fish-rich Lakes

Manotak Lodge

Trophy Muskie, Big Walleye and First-Class Hospitality

Brennan Harbour Resort

Largemouth Bass Fishing on Lake Huron

Mississagi Multi-Species Magic

Equipped for outfitting sportsmen and providing family fishing vacations.