Fishing in Lake Erie & Lake Ontario

1. Lake Erie Western Basin (Walleye, Yellow Perch, Smallmouth Bass)

Windsor/Leamington area

The western basin of Lake Erie is one of the most productive walleye fisheries in the world. The shallow, nutrient-rich waters support an enormous walleye population, with fish in the 3-6 pound range common. Yellow perch fishing is excellent. Top access points include Leamington, Wheatley, Kingsville, and Point Pelee National Park.

2. Lake Erie Central Basin (Walleye, Smallmouth Bass, Perch)

Port Stanley to Long Point

The central basin offers excellent walleye and smallmouth bass fishing. Port Stanley, Port Bruce, and Port Burwell provide access. The lake's stained water provides good fishing during daylight hours.

3. Lake Erie Eastern Basin (Smallmouth Bass, Walleye)

Long Point to Buffalo

The eastern basin is world-famous for smallmouth bass. The rocky shoals and islands around Long Point provide exceptional habitat. Walleye fishing is also excellent.

4. Bay of Quinte (Walleye, Northern Pike, Perch)

Belleville area

The Bay of Quinte is famous for trophy walleye exceeding 10 pounds. Fall trolling with crankbaits is the standard technique. The bay's stained water and abundant baitfish produce fast-growing walleye.

5. Lake Ontario Kingston Basin (Chinook Salmon, Coho Salmon, Lake Trout)

Kingston area

Lake Ontario near Kingston offers world-class salmon and trout fishing. Chinook salmon over 30 pounds are caught annually. Trolling with downriggers is standard.

6. Lake Ontario Niagara Bar (Chinook Salmon, Coho, Steelhead, Brown Trout)

Niagara-on-the-Lake

The Niagara Bar area is one of Lake Ontario's most productive salmon and trout fisheries. The nutrient-rich waters attract baitfish and gamefish.

7. Lake Ontario Toronto Waterfront (Salmon, Trout, Walleye)

Toronto

Lake Ontario offers excellent fishing within Toronto. Tommy Thompson Park, Bluffers Park, and the Humber River provide access. Chinook salmon, coho, and rainbow trout are the main targets.

8. Niagara River Upper (Smallmouth Bass, Walleye, Muskie)

Niagara Falls area

The upper Niagara River offers excellent smallmouth bass and walleye fishing. The river's current creates unique fishing conditions found nowhere else in Ontario.

9. Niagara River Lower (Steelhead, Brown Trout, Lake Trout)

Niagara Gorge

The lower Niagara River offers world-class trout and salmon fishing year-round. The gorge's deep, cold water holds steelhead and brown trout.

10. Grand River (Smallmouth Bass, Walleye, Rainbow Trout)

Brantford to Lake Erie

The Grand River offers excellent fishing for smallmouth bass, walleye, and rainbow trout. The river's current and deep pools provide diverse habitat.

11. Detroit River (Walleye, Smallmouth Bass, Muskie)

Windsor

The Detroit River connects Lake St. Clair to Lake Erie and offers world-class walleye fishing. The river's current concentrates fish around structure.

12. Lake St. Clair (Smallmouth Bass, Muskie, Walleye)

30 min east of Windsor

Lake St. Clair is famous for its smallmouth bass and muskie fishing. The lake's shallow, productive waters are world-renowned.

13. Welland Canal (Walleye, Bass, Panfish)

St. Catharines

The Welland Canal offers fishing for walleye, bass, and panfish. The canal's locks and channels provide unique fishing opportunities.

14. Credit River (Rainbow Trout, Salmon)

Mississauga

The Credit River offers excellent salmon and trout fishing during the fall spawning runs. Chinook salmon and rainbow trout move up the river from Lake Ontario.

15. Humber River (Salmon, Trout)

Toronto

The Humber River hosts fall salmon and trout runs. The lower river offers productive fishing within the city.

16. Port Glasgow (Lake Erie)

West of London

Port Glasgow offers Lake Erie fishing with good shore access for walleye and perch anglers.

17. Turkey Point (Lake Erie)

Near Simcoe

Turkey Point offers Lake Erie fishing for walleye, perch, and bass. The provincial park offers camping.

18. Wellington (Lake Ontario)

Near Picton

Wellington offers Lake Ontario salmon and trout fishing in Prince Edward County.

19. Thames River (Chatham)

Chatham area

The Thames River through Chatham offers walleye, smallmouth bass, and channel catfish fishing.

20. Sarnia (Lake Huron)

Sarnia

Sarnia offers Lake Huron fishing for salmon, trout, and walleye from its waterfront parks.

21. Grand Bend (Lake Huron)

Grand Bend

Grand Bend offers excellent Lake Huron salmon and trout fishing. Pinery Provincial Park provides access.

22. Bayfield (Lake Huron)

Bayfield

Bayfield offers Lake Huron fishing for salmon and trout from its historic harbour village.

23. Port Dover Pier (Lake Erie)

Near Simcoe

The Port Dover pier offers excellent lake fishing for walleye, perch, and smallmouth bass.

24. Rondeau Provincial Park (Lake Erie)

Near Morpeth

Rondeau Provincial Park offers Lake Erie fishing for walleye, perch, and bass in a beautiful natural setting.

25. Pelee Island (Lake Erie)

Lake Erie

Pelee Island offers exceptional walleye and perch fishing in the western basin of Lake Erie.

26. Presqu'ile Bay (Lake Ontario)

Near Brighton

Presqu'ile Provincial Park offers Lake Ontario fishing for salmon, trout, and walleye.

27. Darlington Provincial Park (Lake Ontario)

Near Bowmanville

Darlington Park offers Lake Ontario fishing for Chinook salmon and rainbow trout.

28. Bronte Creek (Lake Ontario)

Oakville

Bronte Creek offers fall salmon and trout runs from Lake Ontario.

29. Port Credit (Lake Ontario)

Mississauga

Port Credit Harbour offers excellent Lake Ontario salmon and trout fishing.

30. Port Stanley (Lake Erie)

South of London

Port Stanley offers excellent Lake Erie fishing for walleye, yellow perch, and smallmouth bass.

31. Port Bruce (Lake Erie)

South of St. Thomas

Port Bruce is a popular Lake Erie fishing port offering walleye and perch fishing.

32. Port Burwell (Lake Erie)

Southwest of Tillsonburg

Port Burwell offers Lake Erie fishing for walleye, perch, and smallmouth bass.

33. Erieau (Lake Erie)

Near Chatham

Erieau offers excellent Lake Erie fishing for walleye and perch.

34. Long Point (Lake Erie)

Near Simcoe

Long Point is a World Biosphere Reserve offering exceptional walleye and smallmouth bass fishing.

35. Cobourg (Lake Ontario)

Cobourg

Cobourg offers Lake Ontario fishing for Chinook salmon, coho, and rainbow trout.

36. Port Hope (Lake Ontario)

Port Hope

Port Hope offers excellent Lake Ontario salmon and trout fishing.

37. Saugeen River (Brown Trout, Chinook Salmon, Eel, Steelhead)

Port Elgin area

The Saugeen River offers excellent fishing for Chinook salmon, steelhead, and brown trout.

38. Ausable River (Brown Trout, Rainbow Trout)

Grand Bend area

The Ausable River offers rainbow trout, brown trout, and salmon fishing.

39. Sydenham River (Northern Pike, Smallmouth Bass, Walleye)

Wallaceburg area

The Sydenham River offers excellent smallmouth bass, walleye, and northern pike fishing.

40. St. Clair River (Smallmouth Bass, Walleye)

Sarnia area

The St. Clair River offers world-class walleye and smallmouth bass fishing.