Ontario’s famous waters, mapped
A new series: one well-known Ontario lake or river at a time, what the record says and how lure anglers fish it. Here is the shortlist. Tap a marker.
Tap a marker on the map, or pick a name below.
The shortlist
Lake of the Woods
Species the source names
- Musky
- Walleye
- Smallmouth bass
- Largemouth bass
- Northern pike
- Lake trout
Why it is on the list
“Fish for trophy lake trout, northern pike, muskies, walleye, smallmouth and largemouth bass and whitefish.”
Source: Destination Ontario
Full analysis coming soon
Eagle Lake
Species the source names
- Walleye
- Bass
- Lake trout
- Northern pike
- Musky
Why it is on the list
“Eagle Lake is famous for its ability to produce large specimens of walleye, bass, lake trout, pike, and muskie”
Source: Destination Ontario
Full analysis coming soon
Lac Seul
Species the source names
- Musky
- Walleye
- Smallmouth bass
- Lake trout
- Northern pike
Why it is on the list
“Lac Seul is famous for musky, walleye, smallmouth bass, lake trout, northern pike and whitefish fisheries.”
Source: Destination Ontario
Full analysis coming soon
Rainy Lake
Species the source names
- Walleye
- Crappie
- Smallmouth bass
- Musky
Why it is on the list
“It’s home to good numbers of walleye, which are protected by strict slot regulations, plus black crappies, smallmouth bass and an underfished population of nice muskies.”
Source: Destination Ontario
Full analysis coming soon
Lake Nipigon
Species the source names
- Lake trout
- Northern pike
Why it is on the list
“Despite having several camps and good road access, Lake Nipigon has retained its world-class status for lake trout fishing.”
“Early-season northern pike fishing is also excellent, with 100-centimetre-sized fish populating the lake’s shallow bays.”
Source: Destination Ontario
Full analysis coming soon
Spanish River
Near a zone line at the marked point (rivers often are the boundary). Check the official zone map.
Species the source names
- Walleye
- Smallmouth bass
- Northern pike
Why it is on the list
“the Spanish River is one of Northern Ontario’s most popular walleye fishing destinations, especially from mid-May through June.”
Source: Destination Ontario
Full analysis coming soon
Lake Temagami
Species the source names
- Lake trout
- Walleye
- Smallmouth bass
- Northern pike
Why it is on the list
“Lake trout can also be caught by jigging around shoals and humps—where you’re equally likely to hook nice walleye, smallmouth bass, northern pike and whitefish, all of which are abundant.”
Source: Destination Ontario
Full analysis coming soon
Lake Nipissing
Species the source names
- Walleye
- Largemouth bass
- Northern pike
Why it is on the list
“Long known as a walleye factory, today, the bass fishing, especially the largemouth bass, is even better.”
“Nipissing’s weedy shallows and fallen timber hold remarkable numbers of big bass, along with untold northern pike that range from 4.5 to 6.8 kilograms.”
Source: Destination Ontario
Full analysis coming soon
French River
Near a zone line at the marked point (rivers often are the boundary). Check the official zone map.
Species the source names
- Walleye
Why it is on the list
“Massive walleye can also be found further north on the French River”
Source: Destination Ontario
Full analysis coming soon
Georgian Bay
Species the source names
- Northern pike
- Smallmouth bass
Why it is on the list
“Georgian Bay, Lake Huron’s massive east arm, boasts fine fishing around thousands of rocky islands, including trophy-sized northern pike and smallmouth bass.”
Source: Destination Ontario
Full analysis coming soon
Lake Simcoe
Species the source names
- Smallmouth bass
- Largemouth bass
- Northern pike
- Lake trout
Why it is on the list
“Some of Canada’s largest smallmouth bass roam Lake Simcoe’s mid-depths.”
“Powerful lake trout and hefty whitefish can be found in Simcoe’s cool depths. The shallow, weedy areas play host to aggressive, well-fed largemouth bass and northern pike.”
Source: Destination Ontario
Full analysis coming soon
Kawartha Lakes
Species the source names
- Largemouth bass
- Smallmouth bass
- Walleye
- Crappie
- Northern pike
- Musky
Why it is on the list
“this diverse landscape offers exceptional fishing opportunities for both warm and cold-water species, including largemouth and smallmouth bass, walleye, crappie, northern pike and trophy muskellunge.”
Source: Destination Ontario
Full analysis coming soon
Rice Lake
Species the source names
- Bass
- Walleye
- Yellow perch
- Musky
Why it is on the list
“Discover great bass, walleye, perch and muskie fishing.”
Source: Destination Ontario
Full analysis coming soon
Bay of Quinte
Species the source names
- Walleye
Why it is on the list
“Near the town of Picton, Merlin Park Resort is a four-season lodge where guests target the trophy walleye of the famous Bay of Quinte.”
Source: Destination Ontario
Full analysis coming soon
Big Rideau Lake
Species the source names
- Smallmouth bass
- Largemouth bass
Why it is on the list
“One hundred teams converge on Big Rideau Lake in June, August and again in October to angle for smallmouth and largemouth bass in the productive waters of this part of the Rideau River system.”
Source: Destination Ontario
Full analysis coming soon
St. Lawrence River
Near a zone line at the marked point (rivers often are the boundary). Check the official zone map.
Species the source names
- Musky
Why it is on the list
“From Kingston all the way to the Quebec border, the St. Lawrence River is a legendary producer of giant muskie up to 60 inches.”
Source: Destination Ontario
Full analysis coming soon
Ottawa River
Near a zone line at the marked point (rivers often are the boundary). Check the official zone map.
Species the source names
- Walleye
- Bass
- Northern pike
Why it is on the list
“Walleye, bass and pike dominate its waters, while trophy-sized channel catfish and the prehistoric-looking longnose gar add to its allure.”
Source: Destination Ontario
Full analysis coming soon
Lake St. Clair
Species the source names
- Musky
Why it is on the list
“this 40-kilometre-long lake is as wide as it is long and is regarded as one of the best musky waters in Ontario.”
Source: Destination Ontario
Full analysis coming soon
Niagara River
Near a zone line at the marked point (rivers often are the boundary). Check the official zone map.
Species the source names
- Walleye
Why it is on the list
“While the Niagara River remains a hot spot for catching walleye in Ontario, it is far from the only place.”
Source: Destination Ontario
Full analysis coming soon
- Lake of the Woods
- Eagle Lake
- Lac Seul
- Rainy Lake
- Lake Nipigon
- Spanish River
- Lake Temagami
- Lake Nipissing
- French River
- Georgian Bay
- Lake Simcoe
- Kawartha Lakes
- Rice Lake
- Bay of Quinte
- Big Rideau Lake
- St. Lawrence River
- Ottawa River
- Lake St. Clair
- Niagara River
Map: Ontario Fisheries Management Zone boundaries (Open Government Licence – Ontario), turned into pixels at build time; inland lakes are not drawn. Markers are approximate. Species are only those the linked source names. This is not a fishing forecast. Check the official regulations before you go.