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

Igniting the Spark

Don't Overlook Carp Fishing in Ontario

Magpie Reservoir

Excellent Drive-to Angling to Hook Big Walleye

Lang Lake Resort – Outdoor Recreation is their Business

Set in Northeastern Ontario's Lacloche Mountain Range, surrounded by many lakes to fish.

World Class Fishing on the Niagara River

There's always something to target in "Ontario's Grand Canyon"

In Search of Solitude and Wild Brook Trout

Fly fishing adventures to remote rivers

Fishing the Marten River

Extreme Angler fishes for BIG walleye in Northeastern Ontario.

Big Water, Big Fish

Chinook fishing on the Nipigon River

How to: Target Black Crappies (Part 2)

More tricks, tips and advice to target Black Crappies in Ontario.

Multi-Species Action

With so many lakes in Ontario, it's hard to narrow down the best multi-species lakes. We're here to help!

Twitchbait Smallies

Your guide to open water smallmouth fishing in Atikokan.

Destroying Fall Muskie Myths

Muskie anglers leave a lot of late fall locations unscathed

Angling the Missinaibi

Exploring and fishing the mighty Missinaibi River

Do you know these 5 key tips for successful catch and release?

There are a few key practices anglers could keep in mind.

Drift Outfitters

An urban oasis in the heart of Downtown Toronto.

Angling Memories

Why replicas are the best way to remember your trophy catch.

Cooking Shore Lunch

Try This Tried and True Recipe

Magical Montreal River Bass

A Bucket List Angling Adventure at Horseshoe Island Camp

5 Big Water Ontario Fishing Locations

Where to go big water fishing in Ontario.

Five Star Walleye

Kesagami Wilderness Lodge is known for its first rate walleye fishing.

Youngs Wilderness Muskies

A trip to Lake of the Woods never disappoints The Musky Hunter