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.
4168749792f2450ed60ff24ad8b4941f_XL.jpg

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 westward, 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 for 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 muskellunge.

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

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.

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 are 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

5 New Products That Are Must Haves For Anglers

If you don't own any of these, you should.

Birchland Cottages: Modern comfort with classic Northern Ontario charm

This Clear Lake gem is a great for kids, and the fishing action is non-stop.

Welcome to Wally World

Lake Nipissing is a must-fish destination, putting you right in the heart of the action for post-spawn walleye, pike, and big bass.

Guided Lake Trout Fishing

Bob Izumi and JP Bushey hit Georgian Bay for big lake trout.

Waking Up Bass

Add This Crankbait Presentation to Your Bag of Fishing Tricks

Fat Finesse Worm Bass

Learn a Go-To Technique for Fishing Bass

Slow Death Revisited

This technique is used to slow down walleye bite transitioning from spring to summer.

Guardian Eagle Resort

Travel in style to this remote wilderness lodge in Northwestern Ontario for excellent fishing.

10 Tips For Ice Fishing Safety

Proper preparation is key to ensuring a safe day on the hard water

Epic Ice in Northwestern Ontario

An ice fishing report from the Northwest shows it could shape up to be one of the best ice fishing seasons ever.

Multi-Species Magic

Cedar Point Resort on Cedar Lake is a drive-in camp with the fabulous fishing of a remote fly-in.

Fishing for Muskie on the French River

Crane's Lochaven Wilderness Lodge

Ghost River Lodges

Remote, Boat-in Fishing on Marchington Lake

Go Junk Fishing

Can't Find the Pattern? Do This Instead!

Walleye Fishing at Waterfalls Lodge

Waterfalls Lodge offers a wide variety of angling opportunities.

Lady Evelyn Lake

Get to Know This Lake in Northeastern Ontario

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.