Fish TV's Favourite Shore Lunches

Grab your batter, beans, and fresh fillets for the best lunch lakeside

In Ontario, there are thousands of lakes and rivers that are just loaded full of fish. I believe there are more than 2200 fishing lodges and resorts that are booked most of the time for summer vacations, but has anyone ever had a five-star meal at lakeside or riverside or right on the lake? Well in this story I want to share a couple of five-star shore lunches that I have had the opportunity to experience.

One that sticks out in my mind is a day of ice fishing on the Bay of Quinte when Jeff and I were onto the walleye big time and decided to have lunch right on the ice. Jeff brought out his portable BBQ, some beans, and some buns. In the bay, you’re allowed to keep four walleye per person for your limit, but we had kept two that day and were going to have a shore lunch on the ice.

Now when you clean your fish right on the ice, make sure you keep the skin from the fish in case a conservation officer decides to check you for your license and your limit, because that fish that you eat for lunch will be a part of your limit. It was around noon when Jeff fired up the BBQ and I cleaned the two fish for lunch. They were about 2 pounds each, just enough for our lunch and what a lunch it was…BBQ walleye and pork and beans—nothing but first class on the ice!

Shore Lunch on The Ice

The next shore lunch I will never forget was in Algoma Country, where we were fishing for Pike and our guide said, "Do you guys want a shore lunch today?" Well, that was an easy decision, so we packed up the Pike action and he took us to a spot where we caught our lunch in about 10 minutes. Then we headed for a comfortable area that looked like an outside restaurant with tables and chairs, a great fire pit, and a nice area where you could fish offshore while waiting for lunch to cook.

Well, out come the taters, then the onions, then the beans, and finally the fillets of fish that were as white as snow. The guide made this dry batter that was to die for and after it was all said and done, there isn't a restaurant in the world that could have made a meal like that... not even for a million dollars. So the next time you head to a lodge or a resort in Ontario, with or without a guide, make sure you have yourself a five-star meal somewhere along a shoreline. It is something you will never forget!

Shore Lunch 1

Shore Lunch 2

Shore Lunch 3

About Ron James

Ron has been fishing for over 35 years. He started fishing when he was just a youngster with his father Bill James (God rest his soul). He moved onto tournament fishing as his passion grew. With numerous wins and top finishes, the next step had to be taken. He met Leo, and the unstoppable force of Fish TV "is the best thing that has happened.

Recommended Articles

Best WhiteFish Tactics

In Part Two, Learn Best Rods, Reels and Lure Presentations for Whitefish

World Class Walleye Fishing at Vermilion Bay Lodge

Eagle Lake has over 68,000 acres of clear Canadian Shield waters with world-class walleye and muskie.

Birch Bark Lodge

A Slice of Heaven on Wigwascence Lake

Making Mistakes with Muskie on the Fly

What I learnt the hard way chasing muskie on the fly

Basin-Shape Walleye

Learn this proven technique to catch more walleye when ice fishing in Northern Ontario.

Bear Creek Bruisers

Fishing Musky on Lake Nipissing

Striker's Point Lodge

Hungry Walleyes and Big Pike on Whitewater Lake

Ontario Experience

Drive-to Fishing at Waterfalls Lodge

Thirst to be First

A Simple Trick to Better Your Fishing Now

Exploring Turtle River

A family fishing, canoeing and camping trip.

Pat’s Muskie Academy

Nik learns the art of trolling for giant muskie on the French River and Lake Nipissing

Chapleau Lodge: More Than Just Fishing

This great lodge is also one of Canada’s best commercial diving schools.

Smoked Fish: A Do-It-Yourself Delicacy

Catching and eating fish from the cold, clear waters is one of the perks of living in Northern Ontario.

Land a Lake Nipigon World Class Trophy Brook Trout

Looking for a trip of a lifetime that offers world class trophy Brook Trout here in Ontario?

Nipigon Brook Trout

Experience some high caliber Trout Fishing in Northwestern Ontario.

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