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Fishing in Canada
Ontario Fishing: Where to Go and When
Ontario has more than 250,000 lakes and over 150 fish species, with walleye, northern pike, bass, muskie, lake trout, brook trout and Great Lakes salmon the main draws. Below: the main fishing regions, when each fish is in season, and what a fishing license costs for visitors from the US (C$83.19 a year).
Overview
Fishing in Ontario
Northwestern and northern Ontario are known for remote fly-in outpost camps and lodges reached by floatplane, plus drive-to lodges and housekeeping cottages on big lakes like Lake of the Woods and Lac Seul. In the south, anglers fish cottage-country lakes, rivers like the Grand, and Lake Ontario by charter boat and in tributary salmon and steelhead runs. Fishing runs year-round, with ice fishing popular from Lake of the Woods to Lake Simcoe and Lake Nipissing.
Where to fish
Fishing regions in Ontario
The main waters and what they hold, from the provincial tourism and fisheries sites.
Lake of the Woods
Walleye, muskie, northern pike, smallmouth and largemouth bass, lake trout, whitefish
Four-season border lake near Kenora (Zone 5); non-Canadian residents have lower walleye limits (sport 2 daily / 4 possession, slot rules) and lake trout is closed in the main lake areas.
Source: destinationontario.com
Rainy Lake
Walleye, smallmouth bass, muskie, black crappie
Ontario-Minnesota border lake near Fort Frances, almost as popular in winter as summer; special non-Canadian walleye limits in Zone 5.
Source: destinationontario.com
Northwestern Ontario fly-in country (Sunset and Superior Country)
Walleye, northern pike, smallmouth bass, lake trout, brook trout, muskie
Floatplane trips to remote lodges and outposts from Red Lake, Nestor Falls, Ignace/Atikokan, Nakina, Armstrong and Thunder Bay.
Source: destinationontario.com
Lake Nipigon and Nipigon River
Brook trout, lake trout, northern pike
North of Lake Superior; the world-record brook trout came from the Nipigon River.
Source: destinationontario.com
Lake Nipissing
Walleye, smallmouth and largemouth bass, northern pike, muskie
Shallow northeastern lake long known as a walleye factory; popular for ice fishing.
Source: destinationontario.com
Lake Ontario
Chinook and coho salmon, rainbow trout (steelhead), brown trout, lake trout
Charter fishing on the lake (two lines allowed from a boat in open water) and fall salmon runs up tributaries like the Humber and Ganaraska; September is prime for salmon.
Source: destinationontario.com
Seasons
When to fish in Ontario
| Species | Jan | Feb | Mar | Apr | May | Jun | Jul | Aug | Sep | Oct | Nov | Dec |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Walleye | ||||||||||||
| Northern pike | ||||||||||||
| Smallmouth and largemouth bass | ||||||||||||
| Muskellunge | ||||||||||||
| Lake trout | ||||||||||||
| Brook trout | ||||||||||||
| Chinook and coho salmon |
Shaded months are when each fish is open or in season, from ontario.ca. Seasons change by zone and by year, so check the current regulations for the water you fish.
Season details by species
- Walleye: Zone 5 (Lake of the Woods, Rainy Lake): Jan 1-Apr 14 and third Saturday in May-Dec 31; closed mid-April to mid-May. Seasons differ by zone.
- Northern pike: Zone 5: open all year.
- Smallmouth and largemouth bass: Zone 5: open all year, but bass kept Jan 1-June 30 must be under 35 cm. Southern zones have catch-and-release periods.
- Muskellunge: Zone 5: third Saturday in June to Dec 15; sport limit 1 over 102 cm.
- Lake trout: Zone 5: Jan 1-Sept 30 (closed in Lake of the Woods main lake areas).
- Brook trout: Zone 5: open all year.
- Chinook and coho salmon: Lake Ontario (Zone 20): open year-round; tributary runs peak in September.
Fishing license
Fishing license in Ontario
Prices in Canadian dollars, from Ontario Ministry of Natural Resources (Fish and Wildlife Licensing Service).
| Province | Visitor annual | Visitor short-term | Other Canadians, annual | Resident annual | Tax |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Ontario | C$83.19 | C$24.86 (1-day) | C$55.81 | C$26.57 | plus 13% HST |
- Who needs one: Anglers 18 and older need a fishing license (plus an Outdoors Card unless buying a 1-day license); Ontario and other Canadian residents under 18 or 65+ fish free with government ID, but non-Canadian residents 65+ still need a card and license, and non-Canadian youth under 18 can fish without one only when accompanied by a licensed angler.
- Also required: Outdoors Card ($8.57, valid 3 calendar years) is required with any 1-year, 3-year or 8-day license; not needed for a 1-day license. Non-Canadian residents 18+ camping on Crown land north of the French and Mattawa rivers (or in any conservation reserve) need a Crown land camping permit: $9.35 plus tax ($10.57 with HST) per person per night.
- Salt water: No tidal waters in the usual sense: Ontario's only salt water is the remote Hudson Bay and James Bay coast, and ontario.ca lists no separate saltwater or tidal license.
- Salmon: No separate salmon license or tag. Pacific salmon (chinook, coho) and Atlantic salmon in Lake Ontario (Zone 20) are covered by the regular license; Atlantic salmon limit is sport 1 (over 63 cm), conservation 0.
Every Ontario license type and price · Compare all provinces
Where to book
Fishing charters, guides and lodges in Ontario
Each destination lists the operators A to Z with direct phone numbers, published prices and the season for each fish.
More Ontario destinations are coming. Run a charter, guide service or lodge here? Get listed free.
Crossing the border
Before you drive or fly up
The basics from the Canadian and US border agencies. All border notes.
Entering Canada: documents
Canada's border agency recommends US citizens travel with a valid passport; otherwise you need documents that together show your full name, date of birth and citizenship (such as a birth certificate or a US enhanced driver's license). A NEXUS card can also be used to enter Canada.
Source: cbsa-asfc.gc.ca
Returning to the US by land or water
US citizens 16 and older driving or boating back into the US need a valid passport, passport card, trusted traveler card (NEXUS, SENTRI or FAST) or an enhanced driver's license. Children under 16 can use a birth certificate or other proof of citizenship.
Source: cbp.gov
Flying home from Canada
For flights into the US from Canada, US citizens need a passport book or another approved document; the passport card is not valid for flights.
Source: travel.state.gov
Bait and Asian carps
Bait brought into Canada must be declared, and if the needed import permit isn't shown it will be seized and you may get a warning or penalty; provinces can also ban imported bait. Live Asian carps, or dead ones that have not been gutted, are banned for any use, bait included.
Source: cbsa-asfc.gc.ca
Questions
Ontario fishing questions
How much is a fishing license in Ontario for Americans?
A non-resident annual license is C$83.19, and a 1-day license is C$24.86. Every option and the rules are on the Ontario fishing license page.
Do I need a guide to fish in Ontario?
The official pages we checked do not require one for most waters. A local guide or lodge still saves a lot of time on big, unfamiliar water.
When is the fishing season in Ontario?
It depends on the fish and the zone. The season table above shows the main months for walleye, northern pike, smallmouth and largemouth bass, muskellunge.
Do I need a license to fish in salt water in Ontario?
No tidal waters in the usual sense: Ontario's only salt water is the remote Hudson Bay and James Bay coast, and ontario.ca lists no separate saltwater or tidal license.
Sources, checked October 2026:
From the blog: Fishing in Canada as an American
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