37 great Canadian fishing hot spots—all selected by this country’s top women anglers

JAMIE STEVENSON

Port Lambton, Ontario

Dedicated multispecies kayak angler, and competitor in the 2022 and 2024 Hobie Fishing Worlds.

Instagram: @northernkayakangler

#21  ST. CLAIR RIVER, ONTARIO

Stretching 64 kilometres between Lakes Huron and St. Clair, this river promises action throughout the open-water season. The spring walleye run promises quick limits, summer fires up trophy smallmouths, and late summer finds giant largemouths in the shallow weeds. Then there are the bonus muskies.

Best time: March to November

Must-have lures: Wally MinR 2.0 on a ¾-ounce jig (walleye); Jackall Rerange 110 (bass)

Learn more: www.bearbonesfishing.ca

 

ANDREA POIRIER-CORNELL

Atikokan, Ontario

Conservationist and multispecies angler who loves the suspense of never knowing when a trophy might take your bait.

Instagram: @TheReelDre

#22  WHITE OTTER LAKE, ONTARIO

Accessed via back roads, remote and secluded White Otter features gin-clear water, rocky bluffs and sandy beaches. The fishing is unreal, with monster lakers, walleye, pike, smallmouths and perch. And the lake’s incredible history includes indigenous cliffside pictographs, and WWII prisoner-of-war camps.

Best time: Mid-June to October; January to spring (ice permitting)

Must-have bait: Minnow on a 3/8-ounce jig (summer); Buck-Shot Coffin Spoon (winter)

Learn more: www.brownsclearwaterlodge.com

 

MEGAN PATTERSON

Selwyn, Ontario

Muskie conservationist and Shimano pro staff member who chases trophy muskies all across Ontario.

Instagram: @megpattterson

#23  LAC SEUL, ONTARIO

Diverse structure, abundant forage and the pristine remote setting make Lac Seul a paradise for muskie anglers, with the chance of catchin a trophy on every hookset. The lake’s many well-known guides and lodges specialize in muskie fishing, with a strong catch-and-release culture ensuring a sustainable fishery.

Best time: Lake summer through fall

Must-have lures: Big Mama and Shadzilla

Learn more: www.visitsunsetcountry.com

 

ERIN ISFELD-REYNOLDS

Gimli, Manitoba

Director of the Female Anglers of Manitoba, and lifelong multispecies angler who targets anything that’s biting.

Facebook: FemaleAnglersMB

#24  CROWDUCK LAKE, MANITOBA

Crowduck is located in Whiteshell Provincial Park, and accessed via an ATV portage through Shield wilderness so dense you’ll forget you’re in Manitoba. The lake has walleye, smallmouth bass and northern pike, all in trophy sizes. The hardest part is catching a few walleye that are small enough to eat.

Best time: All summer

Must-have bait: Jig and nightcrawler or frozen minnow

Learn more: www.crowducklakecamp.ca

 

SHAWNA SOLARCHUK

Winnipeg, Manitoba

Avid multispecies angler who enjoys exploring Canada’s beautiful outdoors.

Instagram: @shawna.solar

#25  LAKE WINNIPEG, MANITOBA

This massive lake has many fish species, but it’s most famous for its “greenback” walleye. The name stems from their beautiful emerald colour, said to come from the lake’s limestone deposits. Head to Hecla-Grindstone Provincial Park, where the greenbacks are abundant, feisty and very large.

Best time: Fall

Must-have bait: One-ounce Hecla Hammer jig and salted minnow

Learn more: www.gullharbour.com