Top 10 Best Fishing Lakes in Ontario: Ultimate Guide
Contents
Introduction
Ontario is known for its beautiful lakes and fantastic fishing opportunities.
With over 250,000 lakes in the province, there are endless options for anglers looking to get a big catch.
In this article, we'll look at the top 10 best fishing lakes in Ontario and some other great options for anglers.
I'll also cover what makes a great fishing lake in Ontario and the criteria for which I chose the lakes on this list.
Ontario is a popular fishing destination for a myriad of reasons.
First, the province is home to some of the best freshwater fishing in the world.
Ontario’s lakes are teeming with various fish species, including Walleye, Northern pike, bass, trout, and salmon, to name a few.
Second, Ontario has some of North America's most beautiful and serene fishing spots.
Whether you're looking for a serene spot to cast your line or a bustling lake with other like-minded anglers, Ontario has something to offer every fisher.
Lastly, Ontario’s fishing season is long and varied, with different fish species available to catch throughout the year. This makes Ontario an ideal fishing destination for both beginners and experienced anglers.
Criteria for the best fishing lakes in Ontario
Several factors make for a great fishing lake in the province of Ontario.
I have outlined some of the most important in this section.
Fish species
A great fishing lake should have a variety of fish species to target, including popular game fish such as Walleye, Northern pike, and bass.
Some fishing lakes in Ontario are home to all three of the previously mentioned species.
I recommend finding one of those diverse lakes so you can work with different lures and techniques to find out what works best for each species. This makes fishing much more interesting because if you're like me, targeting the same fish species for an extended period can get dull.
Water quality
The water quality of a lake can affect the quality and quantity of fish.
Look for lakes with pristine water and healthy fish populations.
Accessibility
A great fishing lake should be relatively easy to access, whether by car or boat.
Keep in mind that many lakes in the northern part of Ontario are only accessible by
plane. Past a certain northern point in the province, no more roads are going any farther north, so if you are interested in this type of fly-in fishing trip, you must plan accordingly.
If not, you need to find a fishing lake you can access by your own means.
However, don’t let the idea of a fly-in fishing trip deter you. One of my most memorable and adventurous experiences thus far was taking a fly-in fishing trip out of Nakina, Ontario, to a fishing lake only accessible by float plane.
My group and I went with Twin Lakes Outfitters, a fly-in fishing trip outfit in northern Ontario. I can’t recommend them enough if this is the type of fishing excursion you’re interested in.
Scenery
Ontario is renowned for its breathtaking landscapes, so you shouldn't have trouble finding a fishing lake with spectacular scenery and a peaceful environment. However, I had to mention it here because beautiful scenery when fishing is absolutely a requirement as far as I'm concerned.
Top 10 best fishing lakes in Ontario
Now that I've covered what makes a great fishing lake in Ontario let's look at the top 10 best fishing lakes in the province.
Lake Nipissing
Size: 873.3 km surface area
Fish species: Walleye, Northern pike, bass, Muskellunge
Accessibility: Public boat launch
Located in northern Ontario, Lake Nipissing is one of the most popular fishing destinations the province has to offer.
The lake covers 800 square kilometers and is home to fish species, such as Walleye, Northern pike, bass, and muskie.
The best time to fish in Lake Nipissing is during summer, with peak fishing season in July and August.
Lake Simcoe
Size: 744.1 km surface area
Fish species: Whitefish, Yellow perch, Lake trout, Walleye
Accessibility: Multiple public access points – parks and beaches
Located just north of Toronto, Lake Simcoe is a popular fishing destination for locals and tourists.
The lake covers over 700 square kilometers and is home to many different fish species, including perch, trout, Whitefish, and Walleye.
Winter is a popular time to fish Lake Simcoe for ice fishing.
Lake Ontario
Size: 18,958.71 km surface area
Fish species: Chinook salmon, Atlantic salmon, Rainbow trout, Lake trout, Brown trout, Walleye, Coho salmon
Accessibility: Multiple public access points – parks and beaches
Located on the border of Ontario and New York, Lake Ontario is the easternmost of the Great Lakes and is known for its excellent salmon and trout fishing.
The lake covers over 18,000 square kilometers, providing a spacious home for salmon, trout, bass, and Walleye.
The recommended time to fish Lake Ontario is summer and fall.
Lake of the Woods
Size: 4,349 km surface area
Fish species: Walleye, Muskellunge, Lake sturgeon, Lake trout, Northern pike, Smallmouth bass, Largemouth bass
Accessibility: Accessible via highway
Located in southwestern Ontario, Lake of the Woods is among the largest freshwater lakes in the world.
The lake covers over 4300 square kilometers and is home to fish species such as Walleye, pike, Muskellunge, sturgeon, trout, and bass.
I recommend fishing Lake of the Woods in the summer, with peak season in June and July.
Eagle Lake
Size: 275.1 km surface area
Fish Species: Muskellunge, Walleye, Northern pike, Lake trout, Smallmouth bass
Accessibility: Accessible via highway
A neighbor to the Lake of the Woods, Eagle Lake is known for its trophy-sized Walleye and Northern pike.
The lake covers 275 square kilometers and, aside from pike and Walleye, provides a home for Muskellunge, trout, and bass species.
Like its neighboring lake, the best time to fish in Eagle Lake is June and July.
Lake Superior
Size: 82,103 km surface area
Fish species: Whitefish, Walleye, trout, sturgeon, Burbot, perch, Muskellunge, pike, bass
Accessibility: Multiple access points along the Trans-Canada Hwy on the Canadian side
Split between Canada and the United States is Lake Superior.
This lake is the largest of the Great Lakes and is known for salmon and trout fishing.
The lake covers over 82,000 square kilometers and is home to other fish species such as Whitefish, Walleye, Burbot, sturgeon, and many more.
The best times to fish Lake Superior are summer and fall.
Lake Erie
Size: 25,744.48 km surface area
Fish species: Walleye, bass, perch, trout, carp, smelt
Accessibility: Public access
Another lake that shares its shores with both Canada and the United States is Lake Erie.
Part of the Great Lakes, Lake Erie is known for its excellent Walleye fishing.
The lake covers over 25,000 square kilometers and is home to other fish species, such as bass, perch, trout, carp, and smelt.
Try to fish Lake Erie during summer and fall for the most successful trip.
Lake St. Clair
Size: 1,110 km surface area
Fish species: Muskellunge, Walleye, Bluegill, Northern pike, Rainbow trout
Accessibility: Multiple boat launches
Lake St. Clair is primarily known for Muskellunge fishing, though it is home to Walleye, Bluegill, pike, and trout as well.
The lake covers over 1,100 square kilometers spanning Ontario and the state of Michigan.
I recommend fishing at Lake St. Clair in the summer.
Lac Seul
Size: 1,660 km surface area
Fish species: Lake whitefish, Northern pike, Bubot, Yellow perch, Coregonus artedi, Walleye, Muskellunge
Accessibility: Easily accessible via Trans-Canada Hwy
Located in western Ontario, Lac Seul offers the opportunity to fish for trophy-sized Northern pike and Walleye.
The lake covers over 1,600 square kilometers of beautiful Canadian country, and you can also target whitefish, Bubot, perch, artedi, and others in its waters.
June and July make for great fishing conditions in Lac Seul.
Lake Huron
Size: 59,600 km surface area
Fish species: Walleye, trout, Pumpkinseed, Alewife, whitefish, perch, sturgeon, smelt, bass, hoyi, Northern pike
Accessibility: Multiple beaches with public access
Another of the five Great Lakes, Lake Huron, offers several excellent locations for fishing.
This massive lake houses nearly a dozen different species of fish to target, including Walleye, trout, whitefish, and sturgeon, among others.
Some of the best fishing in Lake Huron is during summer and fall.
Other great fishing lakes in Ontario
While the lakes listed above are among Ontario's best fishing lakes, I also wanted to include a section of honorable mentions.
Abamasagi Lake
Size: 8,176 acres in surface area
Fish species: Walleye, Northern pike, perch, trout
Accessibility: By float plane only – no public roads
Located in northern Ontario and only accessible via float plane is Abamasagi Lake.
This lake offers beautiful and secluded scenery and the potential to catch hundreds of fish in a single day.
I visited this lake in 2022 with a group, and we booked our fly-in fishing trip with Twin Lakes Outfitters.
It was truly an incredible experience, being flown to our own private lake, where we stayed in a cabin and enjoyed the lake all to ourselves for an entire week.
If you have never experienced a Canadian fly-in fishing trip, I highly recommend it if you are an outdoor lover and have an adventurous spirit.
Lake Temagami
Size: 15,000 km surface area
Fish species: Northern pike, trout, Walleye, Smallmouth bass
Accessibility: Access road
Lake Temagami is located in eastern Ontario and is known for lake trout and smallmouth bass shipping.
Lake Muskoka
Size: 89 km surface area
Fish species: Lake trout, Walleye, Northern pike, Smallmouth bass
Accessibility: Access road
Lake Muskoka is a small lake located just north of Toronto, Ontario.
It is known for Muskellunge and Smallmouth bass fishing.
Lake Abitibi
Size: 931 km surface area
Fish species: Northern pike, European perch, Walleye, Sauger
Accessibility: Access road
Lake Abitibi is in Ontario, sharing its waters with the neighboring province of Quebec.
This lake offers great fishing for Walleye and Northern pike.
Preparing for your fishing trip
Now that I've named some of my favorite and best fishing lakes in Ontario, it's time to review some tips to help you plan your fishing trip.
Check fishing regulations
Before heading out on any fishing trip in the province, make sure you’re familiar with Ontario’s fishing regulations.
Depending on the lake you choose to fish, there could be varying regulations, such as the fish you can keep, what size the fish must be to keep, and what season you are permitted to fish for certain species.
Choose your gear
Ensure you have the correct gear for the fish species you will target. This includes rods, reels, baits, and other equipment, such as fish grabbers, scales, stringers, and more.
I have personally caught both Walleye and Northern pike on spoons, jig heads, and soft plastics. However, you will want to test several types of baits out to find what works best for you.
Pack appropriately
Besides fishing gear, what you should bring will be determined by the time of year and the location you'll be fishing.
You might need to pack warm clothes, rain gear, sunscreen, and insect repellant.
Hire a guide
If you're new to fishing, or at least new to fishing in a particular area, consider hiring a guide to help you navigate the waters and find the best fishing spots.
Conclusion
Ontario’s many lakes and rivers offer endless opportunities for fishing enthusiasts.
From trophy-sized Northern pike to delicious Walleye and Salmon, there is no shortage of fish species to target in these beautiful Canadian lakes.
Always remember to pack appropriately and check local regulations.
I hope this list has provided enough insight into the best fishing lakes in Ontario for you to have many successful and enjoyable fishing trips in Canada.
