Ontario Fish Species: Complete Guide to Native and Introduced Species

Ontario is home to more than 150 species of freshwater fish — more than any other province in Canada. From the massive lake sturgeon to the tiny brook stickleback, Ontario's waters hold incredible diversity. Here's a guide to the most notable species.

Popular Game Fish

Walleye

Ontario's most popular game fish. Found in lakes and rivers throughout the province. Known for their excellent table fare. Top lakes: Lake Erie, Lake of the Woods, Rainy Lake, Lac Seul.

Smallmouth Bass

Abundant in the Great Lakes, particularly Lake Erie and Lake Ontario, and in shield lakes throughout Ontario. Known for their hard fighting.

Largemouth Bass

Found in warm, vegetated waters across southern Ontario. Top destinations: Lake St. Clair, Rice Lake, the Kawartha Lakes.

Northern Pike

Found throughout Ontario in weedy lakes and slow rivers. Aggressive predators that hit lures hard. Top lakes: Lake of the Woods, Lake Nipissing, Georgian Bay.

Muskellunge (Muskie)

Ontario's premier trophy fish. Found in the Kawartha Lakes, Lake St. Clair, the St. Lawrence River, and Georgian Bay. Known as the "fish of 10,000 casts."

Lake Trout

Native to deep, cold lakes across Ontario. Top destinations: Lake Superior, Lake Nipigon, and hundreds of northern shield lakes.

Yellow Perch

One of the most popular panfish in Ontario. Found in lakes and rivers across the province. Excellent eating fish. Lake Erie and Lake Simcoe are top destinations.

Salmon Species

Chinook Salmon

Stocked in the Great Lakes, particularly Lake Ontario and Lake Huron. Run into tributary rivers in fall to spawn.

Coho Salmon

Similar to Chinook but smaller. Found in the Great Lakes with fall spawning runs into tributaries.

Pink Salmon

Naturalized in Lake Superior and spreading to other Great Lakes. Smaller salmon species that runs in odd-numbered years.

Trout Species

Brook Trout

Ontario's only native stream trout. Found in cold, clean streams and lakes across the province. The provincial fish of Ontario.

Rainbow Trout (Steelhead)

Stocked in the Great Lakes and some inland lakes. Steelhead are the lake-run variety that spawn in tributary rivers.

Brown Trout

Introduced from Europe. Found in the Great Lakes and some inland streams. Known for being selective and challenging to catch.

Notable Native Species

Lake Sturgeon

Ontario's largest freshwater fish, reaching over 100 kg (220 lb). Found in the Great Lakes, Lake of the Woods, and the Winnipeg River. Protected species — catch and release only.

Burbot (Lawyer)

The only freshwater member of the cod family. Found in deep, cold lakes across Ontario. Active in winter under the ice.

Invasive Species to Know

Several invasive species have become established in Ontario waters:

• Round Goby — Small bottom-dwelling fish now found throughout the Great Lakes and spreading to inland waters.
• Zebra Mussels — Filter-feeding mollusks that have altered the ecology of the Great Lakes.
• Sea Lamprey — Parasitic fish that feeds on lake trout and other species. Control programs are in place.
• Spiny Water Flea — Tiny crustacean that clogs fishing lines and disrupts food webs.

Where to Learn More

The CatchTales app includes a full fish identification guide with 305 species, including every species found in Ontario waters. Use it to identify your catches, learn about habitat and diet, and get fishing tips for each species.

Published July 2026 by the CatchTales team.