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

A Multispecies Mecca: Lake of the Woods

From Lake Trout to Pike and everything in between, Lake of the Woods is calling

Bivins’ Bounce Crappies

This technique is a must for crappie fishing

Bobber Down

You’ll double your hook-up ratio and find yourself constantly yelling, "Bobber down!"

The Ultimate Social Distancing Getaway

Lots of wilderness, space, and fresh air in Ontario.

Spring is in the Air

4 tips and recommendations to help prepare anglers for open water fishing season

Top 5 Musky Destinations in Ontario

The Musky Hunter shows you where to land the best musky in Ontario waters.

Crawford’s Diamond in the Rough

A year-round resort for the true die-hard angler on Lake of the Woods

Making Memories

Killarney Mountain Lodge serves as a backdrop for a meaningful outing between friends

Three Surefire Solutions for Catching Canadian Muskies

Ontario, Canada is a dream destination for all musky anglers

Cranking Up The Heat in Northern Ontario

Tips for Using Crankbaits When Fishing Bass

The Spin on Early Season Walleye

Depending on where you are walleye fishing in Ontario, the conditions range from early spring to near summer-like.

Who Let the Dawgs Out

Fishing Muskie on the Ottawa River

Become a World-class Fishing Guide

Misconceptions, behind-the-scenes intel, and key tips from a professional guide.

Wag Your Tail For More Walleye, Bass and Trout

Fishing with friends brings camaraderie and a lesson, or two.

The 3 Best Baits For Northern Ontario Walleye

Catch those golden bars in any lake depth.

Big Basswood Lake Resort

Fishing for Smallmouth Bass in Algoma's Trophy Alley

Smallmouth Bass in Sunset Country

It's great to be a smallmouth angler in Sunset Country because of the numbers and size of bass.

Small Lakes That Fish Big, Really Big Bass

Granary Lake Retreat is one of Ontario’s hidden gems.

Blue Heron Resort

Incredible smallmouth bass fishing on the lower Spanish River.