The Best Little Sportfishing Centre

A Must-stop in Sioux narrows

If you're heading up Highway 71, be sure to visit the Northern Ontario Sportfishing Centre in Sioux Narrows

The Northern Ontario Sportfishing Centre in Sioux Narrows is housed in a beautiful building on the shores of Lake of the Woods. The Centre is seeing visitors from the United States, Sweden, France, Australia, England, Germany and of course, Canada. Filled with exhibits, it definitely set it apart from other visitor centres. Since fishing is the number one attraction in Sioux Narrows/Nestor Falls, it seems fitting that the town has a Sportsfishing Centre.

Giant map of Lake of the Woods at the Sportfishing Centre
Giant map of Lake of the Woods at the Sportfishing Centre in Sioux Narrows, Ontario

The project was funded with a $900,000 grant from the Build Canada Fund and a $374,000 Northern Ontario Heritage Fund Corporation grant, but with a total cost of $2 million it meant a $726,000 bill for taxpayers. There is wood everywhere in the Centre. A real "cabin feel" is achieved by the stained glossy wood ceilings towering over the spacious room with Tyndall stone walls, locally carved pine pillars, and large glass windows overlooking Regina Bay in Lake of the Woods. 

Displays of fish species in Northern Ontario at the Sportfishing Centre
Northern Ontario fish species display at the Sportfishing Centre in Sioux Narrows, Ontario

While the Centre is a tourist information centre, the exhibits and structures are a great reason to stay awhile. The air-conditioned building also features a log cabin style heritage room, colouring sheets for children, paintings by local artists for sale, books, a lounge area, and free Wi-Fi. The Sioux Narrows Bridge was once the longest single-span wooden bridge in the world. It has been replaced now, but a scale model of the old Sioux Narrows Bridge is proudly exhibited in the Northern Ontario Sportsfishing Centre. There are feature-length documentaries that are playing on a loop on a big television. Documentaries on walleye, bass and northern pike are currently running and will soon be joined by films on muskie and trout to cover the main fish species in the area. If you prefer to watch the movies at a more leisurely pace, you can grab one of the iPads and watch a documentary in one of the comfy leather chairs in the lounge area.

Sioux Narrows Bridge Display at the Sportfishing Centre
An exhibit of the Sioux Narrows Bridge at the Sportfishing Centre

The heritage room has many artefacts and displays including some antique motors that are on display. An old wooden boat from the Haas boat manufacturer, which was the backbone of the area from the 1940s until the early 1960s is displayed. 

Be sure to stop by the Northern Ontario Sportfishing Centre near the government docks if you are in Sioux Narrows or just driving by. The centre is open 7 days a week from 7:30 am until 7:00 pm from mid-May to Mid-September on Highway 71 in the heart of Sioux Narrows. Call 807-226-5293 in the summer and 807-226-5241 in the winter for more information.

About Erin Rody

I grew up on Black Sturgeon Lake in Northwestern Ontario. I am a staff writer for the Sunset Country Travel Association. Through my articles I hope to entice you to visit the wonderful region I call home. We are all about outdoor adventure; with 70,000 lakes and rivers and a whole lot of forests how can we not be? Whether you like to fish, hunt, canoe, kayak, boat or go camping, Sunset Country has something for you. Enjoy!

Recommended Articles

Is the 1,400 Kilometre Drive to Northwest Ontario For a Fishing Trip Worth it?

It depends if you want to catch hundreds of fish a day or not!

6 ways to get in your 10,000 steps in this fall

It's easier than you think!

Looking for somewhere new to fish?

The Morson area of Lake of the Woods is fantastic!

Has not having a passport kept you from vacationing in Canada?

It's easier to get than you may think!

Discover The Winnipeg River

From fur traders to trophy anglers, the beauty hasn't changed.

Enjoy the Fall Colours

Goodbye Summer, Hello Autumn

Fishing in the Fall?

Here's some walleye fishing tips as the weather cools down.

6 reasons to book a fall trip to Sunset Country

Sunny days + cool nights + zero bugs = heaven on Earth.

10 Reasons to Avoid Ontario

Haters of wilderness, wildlife, and quiet: best steer clear.

A Guide to Sunset Country Museums

Learn while you visit!

5 Amazing Sights You Can Only See By Boat

From mermaids to boat-in museums, the Northwest corner of Ontario has some of the coolest sights to see on water!

Fall Fishing Tips

As the weather cools down, the fishing heats up in Sunset Country!

5 Essential Boreal Experiences in Ontario's Sunset Country

Freshwater fishing, forest hiking, and sunset views await in this pristine paradise

5 Obscure Facts About Northwestern Ontario: Were You Aware of These?

Here are 5 facts that most people don't know about Sunset Country.

Outdoor Medicine

Here's why experiencing the natural world is good for you—and your health.

Bringing Your Pet to Canada

What You Need to Know

Heading Across Canada?

Here's what you need to know about Sunset Country (from the giant moose statues to the even bigger waterfalls)

There's more than just fishing in the Red Lake Region

Although the fishing's pretty good too!

Going fishing in Ontario?

Your lodging has just the boat you need!

Outdoor Adventure in Ontario's Northern Paradise

On the links, on the trails, and on the water–discover why Kenora has it all this fall!

Plan your trip

Book the the trip you never got to take this summer

Tips from a Fishing Legend

Big Bass, Walleye, Muskie and So Much More

Going Fishing in Canada?

Get the answers to your questions

What makes Wabigoon such a great lake to fish?

Well for one, it has potential for the next world record muskie!

Search Sunset Country