Prime Fishing in Sioux Narrows-Nestor Falls: 5 Trophy Fish to Catch in Lake of the Woods

Few places in Ontario—or the world—compare to the natural wonder of fishing hotspot Lake of the Woods. This vast, nearly 1-million-acre freshwater lake is a haven for anglers and nature enthusiasts alike. Home to over one-third of Ontario’s fish species, Lake of the Woods supports an astonishing 47 out of the province’s 145 fish species, making it a true fishing paradise.

The diverse fishing environments it offers sets this lake apart. From deep, cold waters preferred by lake trout to rocky, algae-covered shallows where bass hunt for crawdads, Lake of the Woods delivers a full spectrum of fishing conditions. If you're looking to focus your adventure, the Sioux Narrows and Nestor Falls region is a prime area to start, offering accessible, productive waters with incredible variety.

While dozens of species thrive here, these five standout trophy fish keep anglers returning year after year. Whether you're casting a line in summer or ice fishing in winter, Lake of the Woods offers unparalleled opportunities for trophy fishing in Ontario.

1. Lake Trout: Deep Waters, Big Rewards

Lake trout of Lake of the Woods are well-fed yet still aggressive feeders. These fish have zero commitment issues, and if you find them, you’re bound to hook one. Lake of the Woods, being as unique as it is, houses specific areas that lake trout prefer to call home. These oligotrophic (clear, deep and nutrient-lacking) waters are commonly found on their own as a whole lake, not an arm or bay sharing mesotrophic waters as they are in Lake of the Woods. That's just another reason why Lake of the Woods is so special and can have so many species not just co-existing, but thriving. 

Don’t be fooled: just because lake trout enjoy the luxury of deep, clear water doesn’t mean they cannot be found in every single stage of the water column. Lake trout follow forage and temperatures. If you aren’t finding them in 80, try moving shallower to 60.

Lake trout also have a unique ability to self-regulate air and pressure in their bodies, with a physostome swim bladder, making it possible for them to follow a bait from eighty feet to three. This trait makes it incredibly fun to vertical jig for them, in both summer and winter.

If you hook a fish from the depths and notice bubbles coming to the surface, you’ve almost certainly caught a lake trout—that is their way of releasing air to regulate their swim bladder. A term of endearment (although it may not sound like one) given to lake trout by anglers is “burp sharks.”

2. Muskie: The Holy Grail of Lake of the Woods

Muskie anglers don’t need to be told twice about Lake of the Woods. I can almost guarantee it is already on most of their bucket lists.

The beauty of muskie is that they also follow the forage and water temperatures. They can be found in shallow sandy bays or off rock saddles between islands. Muskie will migrate between mesotrophic and oligotrophic as they please, and some may call either home permanently.

Muskie found in clearer water should be approached differently. More natural bait colours and presentations, longer leaders and perhaps lines that are not fluorescent. Even with precautions, you may see them follow but not commit. If this continues to happen, try going back during feeding windows, when in doubt, sunrise, sunset and before storms are reliable.

3. Northern Pike: Relentless and Ready to Bite

A hungrier cousin to muskie, northern pike have an insatiable appetite for all things that move. Often greedy, northern pike have been known as a regular bycatch while pursuing other species. Which is another way of saying they can be caught using just about any presentation.

Northern pike may not have the mystique that muskie hold over die-hard anglers, but they still have the ferocity and size to contend as a proper trophy fish. Much like walleye and lake trout, they also make fishing incredibly fulfilling year-round.

4. Largemouth & Smallmouth Bass: Year-Round Action

These two bass species are about as different as they can be from one another in habitat, forage and characteristics. However different they may be, they share the same regulations in Fisheries Management Zone 5. Bass are open year-round with slot sizes applied only between January 1st to June 30th. Exceptions on lakes other than Lake of the Woods may apply.

Largemouth can be found exactly where you’d expect them, shallow bays full of vegetation, teaming with lily pads and small fry (minnows) flitting between wild rice stalks.

Smallmouth enjoy the Canadian Shield’s rocky shorelines and will place themselves in boulder fields to ambush anything that moves past their strike zone. If you don’t want to risk your propeller you can chase them along shorelines of mainland and islands that have tennis ball to basketball-sized rocks with steep drops anywhere from five to 30 feet from shore.

5. Walleye Fishing on Lake of the Woods: Ontario’s Beloved Catch

Sunset Country walleye populations are no secret, anglers flock to Lake of the Woods each year for limits of walleye and the quintessential shore lunches.

Unlike lake trout, which prefer pockets of specific water such as Whitefish Bay, walleye can be caught in all areas of Lake of the Woods using all methods. Jigging is by far the most common, some use soft plastics while others use live bait such as minnows, leeches and worms.

Worm harnesses are always a safe and effective bet that also let you cover water and chart slowly while you target fish. Trolling is very popular in the fall. Thankfully, the walleye of Lake of the Woods always seem to be hungry. If you have a favourite method, you should give it a try first, then adjust accordingly.

Year-round lodges offer extraordinary fishing during shoulder seasons and the ice fishing season. If you’re willing to make the trip during the winter months, you could be treated to a lake all to yourself.

Great Fishing Lodges To Stay at in Sioux Narrows-Nestor Falls:

Vic & Dot’s Camp Sioux Narrows 

Tomahawk Resort Sioux Narrows

Sunset Cove Resort Nestor Falls

Crystal Harbour Resort Sioux Narrows

Aulneau Peninsula Outpost Fish and Hunt Sioux Narrows

Clarke and Crombie Camp Nestor Falls

Young’s Wilderness Camp Nestor Falls 

Indianhead Lodge Sioux Narrows

Crawford’s Camp Sioux Narrows

Totem Resorts Sioux Narrows

The Sanctuary Resort boat-in from Sioux Narrows 

Plan Your Next Fishing Trip to Sioux Narrows-Nestor Falls

For anglers seeking world-class trophy fishing on Lake of the Woods, Sioux Narrows-Nestor Falls is the ultimate launch point. This region offers unmatched access to some of Ontario’s top game fish, all in trophy sizes. With easy access to year-round lodges, a range of fishing habitats, and a community that lives and breathes the sport, Sioux Narrows-Nestor Falls should be at the top of every serious angler’s list. 

Plan Your Visit to Sioux Narrows Nestor Falls

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