Fishing in Northeast Ontario & Algoma

1. Chapleau Crown Game Preserve (Brook Trout)

Chapleau area

The Chapleau Crown Game Preserve offers remote brook trout fishing in pristine shield lakes that are fly-in or hike-in only.

2. Wawa Area Lakes (Brook Trout, Lake Trout, Northern Pike)

Wawa

The Wawa area offers excellent brook trout, lake trout, and northern pike fishing in hundreds of shield lakes.

3. Lake Superior Provincial Park (Brook Trout, Lake Trout)

Wawa to Sault Ste. Marie

Lake Superior Provincial Park offers excellent brook trout and lake trout fishing in its inland lakes and rivers.

4. Batchawana River (Brook Trout, Northern Pike, Walleye)

North of Sault Ste. Marie

The Batchawana River offers brook trout, walleye, and northern pike fishing flowing into Lake Superior.

5. Spanish River (Northern Pike, Smallmouth Bass, Walleye)

Webbwood area

The Spanish River offers excellent walleye, northern pike, and smallmouth bass fishing flowing into Lake Huron.

6. Mississagi River (Brook Trout, Northern Pike, Walleye)

Elliot Lake area

The Mississagi River offers walleye, northern pike, and brook trout fishing. A designated Canadian Heritage River.

7. Lake Nipissing (Sturgeon)

North Bay / Sturgeon Falls area

Lake Nipissing is a massive, shallow lake covering over 870 square kilometres, located between Sudbury and North Bay near Sturgeon Falls. The lake is incredibly productive due to its shallow average depth of just 15 feet, which allows sunlight to reach the bottom across much of the lake, creating rich aquatic vegetation and abundant baitfish populations.

The lake is famous for its excellent walleye and northern pike fishing. Walleye in the 2-5 pound range are common, with larger fish available for anglers who work the deeper channels and river mouths. The lake's stained water means walleye are more accessible during daylight hours than in clearer lakes, making it an excellent choice for anglers who prefer fishing during the day.

Northern pike are abundant throughout the lake, with fish in the 5-15 pound range common. The weedy bays and shallow flats provide excellent pike habitat. Yellow perch are also abundant and provide excellent family fishing, particularly in summer when perch school in 15-25 feet of water.

Lake Nipissing is also one of Ontario's premier ice fishing destinations. The lake's ice fishing season typically runs from January through March, with thousands of ice huts set up each winter. Walleye and perch are the primary targets through the ice. The lake has numerous ice hut operators who offer heated huts, equipment rentals, and guiding services.

Key access points include North Bay, Callander, Sturgeon Falls, Cache Bay, and the French River outlet. The lake has dozens of boat launches, marinas, and resorts. The West Arm of Lake Nipissing, stretching toward Sturgeon Falls, offers excellent fishing with more protected waters than the main lake basin. Anglers should note that parts of Lake Nipissing are within the Dokis First Nation territory, where a separate permit may be required for fishing certain areas.

8. Temagami Region (Brook Trout, Lake Trout, Walleye)

Temagami

The Temagami region is one of Ontario's premier wilderness fishing destinations. Lake Temagami itself covers 1,900 square kilometres with over 1,200 islands and countless kilometres of shoreline. The region's clear, deep shield lakes offer exceptional lake trout, brook trout, and walleye fishing.

Lake Temagami is particularly famous for its lake trout, with fish in the 5-12 pound range common in the deep, cold basins. The countless smaller lakes in the region offer excellent brook trout and walleye fishing with minimal fishing pressure.

The region is accessible via Highway 11 and the town of Temagami, with numerous lodges, outfitters, and canoe routes. The Lady Evelyn River and Sturgeon River systems offer excellent river fishing. Temagami's old-growth red pine forests and pristine waters make it one of the most beautiful fishing destinations in Ontario.

9. Algonquin Park (Brook Trout, Lake Trout, Smallmouth Bass)

Huntsville to Barry's Bay

Algonquin Provincial Park offers excellent brook trout, lake trout, and smallmouth bass in hundreds of remote lakes.

10. Killarney Provincial Park (Lake Trout, Smallmouth Bass)

Killarney

Killarney Park offers excellent lake trout and smallmouth bass fishing in its clear, scenic lakes.

11. Sudbury Area Lakes (Walleye)

Sudbury

The Sudbury area has numerous lakes offering walleye, pike, and bass fishing.

12. Manitoulin Island (Walleye)

Manitoulin Island

Manitoulin Island has numerous inland lakes offering excellent fishing for bass, pike, and walleye.

13. Wanapitei Lake (Lake Trout, Northern Pike, Walleye)

Near Sudbury

Wanapitei Lake offers walleye, northern pike, and lake trout fishing near Sudbury.

14. Panache Lake (Northern Pike, Smallmouth Bass, Walleye)

Near Sudbury

Panache Lake offers walleye, smallmouth bass, and northern pike fishing.

15. Ramsey Lake (Smallmouth Bass, Walleye)

Sudbury

Ramsey Lake in Sudbury offers walleye and smallmouth bass fishing within the city.

16. Talon Lake (Northern Pike, Walleye)

Near Espanola

Talon Lake offers walleye and northern pike fishing in the Manitoulin region.

17. Lac aux Sables (Northern Pike, Smallmouth Bass, Walleye)

Near Noelville, between Sudbury and North Bay

Lac aux Sables is a large, clear lake near Sturgeon Falls, sitting right between Sudbury and North Bay on Highway 17. The lake offers excellent fishing for walleye, northern pike, and smallmouth bass. The lake's clear water and rocky structure provide ideal habitat, with walleye holding in 15-25 feet of water during summer. The lake has several cottage developments, campgrounds, and boat launches. The nearby Sturgeon River also offers additional fishing opportunities.

18. Croker Lake (Northern Pike, Walleye)

Near Sault Ste. Marie

Croker Lake offers northern pike and walleye fishing near Sault Ste. Marie.

19. Basswood Lake (Northern Pike, Smallmouth Bass)

Near Sault Ste. Marie

Basswood Lake offers smallmouth bass and northern pike fishing near the Ontario-Minnesota border.

20. Cross Lake (Temiskaming)

New Liskeard area

Cross Lake offers walleye and northern pike fishing in the Temiskaming region.

21. Sturgeon River (Algonquin area)

Near Algonquin Park

The Sturgeon River offers walleye and northern pike fishing flowing out of Algonquin Park.

22. Pickerel River (Magnetawan)

Near Britt

The Pickerel River offers walleye, smallmouth bass, and northern pike fishing in the Georgian Bay region.

23. Still River (Muskoka)

Near Bala

The Still River offers walleye and smallmouth bass fishing in the Muskoka region.

24. Timmins Area Lakes (Lake Trout, Northern Pike, Walleye)

Timmins

The Timmins area has hundreds of lakes offering walleye, northern pike, and lake trout.

25. Kettle Lakes (Timmins)

Timmins

Kettle Lakes Provincial Park offers numerous small lakes with pike and walleye.

26. Frederick House Lake (Northern Pike, Walleye)

Timmins area

Frederick House Lake offers excellent walleye and northern pike fishing.

27. Abitibi Lake (Ontario side)

North of Timmins

Lake Abitibi offers walleye, pike, and lake trout on the Ontario-Quebec border.

28. Kirkland Lake Area (Lake Trout, Walleye)

Kirkland Lake

The Kirkland Lake area offers numerous lakes with walleye, pike, and lake trout.

29. Larder Lake (Lake Trout, Northern Pike, Walleye)

Kirkland Lake area

Larder Lake offers excellent lake trout, walleye, and northern pike fishing.

30. Cobalt Area Lakes (Lake Trout, Walleye)

Cobalt

The Cobalt area offers walleye, pike, and lake trout in a historic mining region.

31. Lake Temiskaming (Lake Trout, Walleye)

New Liskeard area

Lake Temiskaming offers walleye, pike, and lake trout on the Ontario-Quebec border.

32. North Bay Area Lakes (Walleye)

North Bay

The North Bay area has numerous lakes offering walleye, pike, and bass.

33. Trout Lake (North Bay)

North Bay

Trout Lake near North Bay offers walleye, pike, and smallmouth bass.

34. Restoule Lake (Walleye)

Restoule area

Restoule Lake offers excellent walleye and pike in Restoule Provincial Park.

35. Sturgeon River (Algonquin)

Near Algonquin Park

The Sturgeon River offers walleye and pike flowing out of Algonquin Park.