Learning to Fish in The Great Canadian Wilderness: A Beginner’s Guide
This pristine area of Ontario, just two hours north of Toronto, offers some of the finest freshwater fishing experiences in North America, with hundreds of lakes and countless rivers teeming with diverse fish species. Whether you’re looking to catch your first fish or hoping to expand your angling skills, our region’s waters provide the perfect classroom for learning this rewarding pastime.
Getting Started: What You’ll Need
Basic Equipment
- A rod and reel combo: For beginners, a medium-action spinning rod (6-7 feet) with a matching reel is versatile enough for most river and lake fishing
- Fishing line: 8-10 lb test monofilament is a good starting point
- Hooks, sinkers, and bobbers: Essential terminal tackle for various fishing methods
- Lures and bait: A small selection including plastic worms, jigs, spinners. Or try the trusted container of worms!
- Tackle box: To organize and protect your gear
- Landing net: Helps secure your catch safely
- Pliers: For removing hooks
- Sunscreen, hat, and polarized sunglasses: Protection from the elements, especially in the summer months!
Legal Requirements
- Fishing license: All anglers 18-64 years old need an Ontario fishing license, available online through the Ministry of Natural Resources and Forestry.
- Outdoors Card: Required in conjunction with your fishing license.
- Knowledge of regulations: Familiarize yourself with season dates, catch limits, and size restrictions for your target species and chosen location
Fish for free
Four times a year, Canadian residents can fish in Ontario for free. This means you do not need to buy a fishing licence if you want to fish during:
- Mother’s Day Weekend (May 10–11, 2025)
- Father’s Day Weekend (June 14–15, 2025)
- Family Fishing Week (June 28–July 6, 2025)
- Family Fishing Weekend (February 13–15, 2026)
Free fishing periods remind us of the value of recreational fishing, and the importance of keeping it healthy for future generations. While fishing during a free fishing period you must:
- Follow conservation licence catch limits
- Obey size limits and sanctuaries
- Follow the fishing regulations
- Carry a permit or identification card issued by the provincial or federal government, showing your name and date of birth
Free loans for rods and reels
TackleShare loans out rods and reels for free. New anglers can gear up at locations across the province including:
- Ontario provincial parks
- conservation authorities
- libraries
Up Your Game
This region has an incredible array of guides, tackle and bait shops and resorts that specialize in helping clients land the big one. Check out these local businesses that will help you up your angling game with a weekend or overnight stay.
Guides and Bait Shops
Can Am Pro Guide
Captain Action Charters
Hook It Fishing Adventures
Muskoka Guided Fishing Tours
Muskoka Mike’s Fishing Charter
Bait Tackle & More
Gravenhurst Bait & Tackle
Magnetawan Bait & Tackle
Purk’s Place
Lodges
Birch Crest Resort Burk’s Falls
Falcon’s Lair Resort Golden Valley
Hall’s Cottages Honey Harbour
Healey Lake Lodge Mactier
Lakewoods Cottage Resort Dwight
Logpointe Housekeeping Cottages Port Severn
Muskey’s Landing Port Severn
Muskoka Shores Cottages Utterson
Oxtongue Lake Cottages Dwight
Rock Pine Resort Pointe au Baril
Popular Ontario Fish Species for Beginners
Panfish
Bluegill, Pumpkinseed, and Yellow Perch
- Abundant in most Ontario lakes
- Eager biters, making them perfect for beginners
- Great eating fish
- Can be caught year-round, including ice fishing season
Bass
Smallmouth and Largemouth Bass
- Found throughout our lakes and rivers
- Known for exciting fights
- Catch-and-release encouraged to preserve populations
- Best fishing from late spring through fall
Walleye (Pickerel)
Ontario’s most popular sport fish
- Excellent table fare
- Most active during dawn and dusk
- Found in lakes and rivers across the area
Learn to Fish Programs
Ontario’s Learn to Fish program, offered through the Ontario Ministry of Natural Resources provides hands-on instruction for beginners. These sessions cover:
- Basic equipment use
- Fish identification
- Ethical angling practices
- Conservation principles
Online Resources
- Ontario Fishing Forum
- Ministry of Natural Resources fishing information
- YouTube channels dedicated to Ontario fishing
Seasonal Considerations
Spring (April-June)
- Fish become more active after winter
- Focus on shallow waters that warm first
- Pre-spawn patterns make many species aggressive
Summer (July-August)
- Early morning and evening fishing most productive
- Consider deeper waters during hot afternoons
- Great time for bass fishing
Fall (September-November)
- Fish feeding heavily before winter
- Excellent time for larger predatory fish
- Changing weather patterns can create hot bites
Winter (December-March)
- Ice fishing opens up new opportunities
- Additional safety gear and knowledge required
- Focused fishing in specific productive areas
Conservation and Ethics
As a new angler in Ontario, embracing conservation principles from the start will ensure fishing remains sustainable:
- Practice catch and release when appropriate
- Never leave fishing line or other garbage behind
- Report pollution or poaching to authorities
- Only keep what you’ll eat
- Consider using barbless hooks to reduce fish mortality
Learning to fish in Ontario’s cottage country is a journey that connects you with the area’s natural beauty while providing a lifetime of recreational opportunities. Start small, be patient with yourself, and remember that even experienced anglers have days without catches. The skills you develop and the moments you experience on our waters will reward you far beyond the fish you bring home.
With each outing, you’ll gain confidence, develop your own techniques, and perhaps discover a passion that will last a lifetime. Ontario’s diverse fishing opportunities ensure there’s always something new to learn and experience, no matter how long you’ve been casting a line!