Road Trip Challenge

5 fishing holes, one weekend.

Nothing speaks to the summer months like the endless road trips that can be taken on a whim. There’s camping, festivals, cottages, and a personal favourite is fishing. The pastime of all pastimes, an age-old hobby taken on by all generations and genders. Heading out to the public fishing hole, or going on an adventure to your favourite back lake: it’s always a time cherished and where some of the longest-lasting memories are made.  

Northeastern Ontario, Canada is filled with an endless supply of water bodies, including many lakes, rivers and streams. The untouched beauty of the wilderness surrounding all of our northern communities is something special all on its own. Northern municipalities such as Greater Sudbury, North Bay, Timmins, New Liskeard, and all the others in between have an everlasting bond with their local surroundings. Get out and see for yourself what surrounds your great community; make it your mission to fish five different lakes or water bodies in one weekend.

All of the waters are home to a diverse selection of fish species; many hold the common species like pike, walleye and bass, but the selection of trout in the area is plentiful for speckled trout, rainbow trout, and splake. Anywhere you reside in the region, you can drive within a 45-minute radius and find all of these species available to target. The choices for your adventure can easily be based on the types of species you want to pursue. You could go for the full gamut, including northern pike, walleye, bass, and trout all in one weekend; talk about a challenge to pursue!

Below are some ideas to get the ball rolling on your new adventure. The lakes and locations are in no particular order.

1. North Bay

2.Highway 144 Corridor

Halfway Lake Provincial Park is a great all-in-one alternative; you can fish all of the connected waterways in the system of excellent lakes, including a wide range of fish species. There are many lakes along this corridor that the MNR stock with a variety of fish including brown, speckled and lake trout. Many of the lakes located along the side of the highway provide excellent fishing for walleye and northern pike.

3. Highway 11 Corridor

4. Temagami

Stay at Northland Paradise Lodge for full accommodations and excellent trip planning to guide you in the right direction. With over 30 years of experience in the area, Doug will put you on the right fish at the right times of the year. There's excellent fishing in the area, and a multi-species trip is attainable.

5. Timmins

We hope you are up to the challenge and start planning your multi-destination and multi-species getaway today. The only person who can make that happen is you, and the Northeastern Region is awaiting your arrival. Call around, do some research, book a lodge or campsite today and start packing for the trip at hand. You won’t regret it, and be prepared to have a trip full of challenges, new explorations and rewards.

Stay true to the adventurer inside of you and stick to the task: fish five lakes in a weekend and look back at that weekend knowing what you explored, found and experienced new areas of Northeastern Ontario. Who knows, you may find your new favourite fishing spot that you never knew existed. Have fun, pack light, keep your tip up, and enjoy what our beautiful region has to offer.

Reminder: When travelling lake to lake you must be aware of the transfer of invasive species; keep your boat and trailer clean of vegetation and any other foreign critters looking for a new home. Review Ontario’s Invading Species Awareness Program for more information on invasive species and what you can do to prevent the spread of invasive species into the beautiful waterways of Northeastern Ontario.  

About Mathew Koprash

Mathew Koprash has been passionate about fishing for his whole life, and is dedicated to sharing his tips and techniques with others who share his passion.

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