Fishing Hot Spots

Species Bass, Perch, Pike, Trout, Whitefish Season Any Season Location: Southern OntarioSurface area: 744 square kilometresHottest spot: South side of Thorah Island In 2012, ranked #1 in all-time hot spots This hot spot’s nomadic smallmouth can be tough to catch, but when they turn on, there’s no better place to land a true trophy. Despite heavy...

Species Pike Coordinates 44° 49€² 30€³ N, 77° 58€² 30€³ W Location: Ontario Pike; Monster fish When to fish: Early in the season is best. Where to fish: Fish rock and weed edges. Tip: Cast blue-and-silver jerkbaits, such as Husky Jerks. Match the size to the activity level of the fish. —Tom Brooke, vice-president of Shimano Canada...

Species: Salmon, Shad, Trout Coordinates: 47° 1’² 8.6 Location: New Brunswick Why we chose it In 2012, ranked #11 in all-time hot...

Species Bass, Muskellunge Location: OntarioSurface area: 1,100 km² In 2012, ranked #28 in all-time hot spots Unlike the classic Canadian smallmouth lake, southwestern Ontario’s Lake St. Clair is flat, shallow and largely featureless. Even though it’s regularly dredged to accommodate Great Lakes shipping traffic, the lake is only 10 feet deep on average. Nonetheless...

If you could only wet a line for one species of fish in your home province or territory, what would...

The owner of the province’s top fly shop reveals his secret spots for brookies, browns and ’bows

The only place on earth you can catch a half-ton tuna, and then sample artisanal moonshine

Species Bass, Muskellunge, Perch, Pike, Walleye/Pickerel, Whitefish Location: OntarioSurface area: 873.3 km² In 2012, ranked #32 in all-time hot spots Named Gichn-bee, or “big water,” by the Ojibway, Nipissing has long been a top Ontario walleye lake. But from 1999 on, we’ve also been touting its incredible population of bass, with abundant three- to...

8 awesome hot spots from the tackle store owner and tournament champ