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

The Perfect Shore Lunch

Try this award-winning recipe on your next Ontario fishing trip.

Structure or Cover?

Learn the Difference to Catch More Fish

How Smallmouth Bass Came to Ontario

Ontario has Smallmouth Bass lakes from the far reaches of the north and south.

Casting for Coasters

Fishing for Brook Trout at Bowman Island Lodge

Ontario’s Monster Northern Pike Fishing Adventures

Ontario is home to first-class accommodations and incredible fishing experiences.

Mattawa River Resort

The perfect home base for not only anglers but couples and families.

Slate Falls Outposts: Arc Lake Outpost

Fly-in Adventure and First-class Service in Northern Ontario

A Houseboat Adventure

The Ontario Experience visits Lac Seul in search of huge muskie

Mississagi Multi-Species Magic

Equipped for outfitting sportsmen and providing family fishing vacations.

Reaching Deep For Walleye

Fishing for big Walleye in Ontario's Bay of Quinte.

Difficult Day Walleye

Learn a few techniques to address the sometimes challenging fishing conditions for walleye.

Kesagami Wilderness Lodge

Kesagami Lake has just under a million acres of fishable water that is chock full of pike and walleye.

Kashabowie Bass Blast

Fishing for Walleye, Northern Pike and Bass in Ontario's Superior Country

True Colours

How important is your lure colour when selecting a bait?

Wild Brook Trout

A Guided Float Trip Down the River

Speck-Tacular

The Dotted Love Affair with Ontario's Brook Trout

Inaugural Fish'n Canada Carp Cup

The Inaugural Canadian Carp Cup was held in Long Sault on the St Lawrence River.

Swim Shiner Swim

What Bait to Use in Cold Water Fishing Conditions

Witch Bay Camp

Secluded Lake of the Woods Fishing for Walleye and Muskie

Debunking Muskie Myths

Busting Popular Myths About Ontario's Big Toothy Beasts