Ontario offers some of the best fishing in Canada. Understanding the best seasons and times to fish in Ontario can greatly impact your success.
The best times to fish in Ontario are early morning and late evening. Summer and fall are the best months for most species in Ontario.
| Month | Ontario Fishing Location |
| January | Lake Simcoe for whitefish and lake trout |
| February | Niagara River for steelhead and brown trout |
| March | Grand River for steelhead and walleye |
| April | Saugeen River for steelhead and brown trout |
| May | Credit River for steelhead and brown trout |
| June | Nipigon River for brook trout and salmon |
| July | French River for bass and walleye |
| August | Lake Nipissing for muskie and bass |
| September | Maitland River for salmon and steelhead |
| October | Bay of Quinte for walleye and pike |
| November | Ottawa River for muskie and walleye |
| December | Niagara River for steelhead and brown trout |
In this article, we will discuss the best times and seasons to fish in Ontario. We will also talk about where some of the best fishing in the state is on a month-by-month basis.
Grand River: (Brown and Rainbow Trout) – May to October
Nottawasaga River: (Steelhead, Brown and Rainbow Trout) – March to May, September to November
Credit River: (Brown and Rainbow Trout) – May to October
Ganaraska River: (Steelhead) – September to November
Saugeen River: (Brown Trout) – April to June
Beaver River: (Brown Trout) – May to October
Maitland River: (Brown Trout) – May to October
Bighead River: (Brown Trout) – May to October
White River: (Brook Trout) – June to August
French River: (Smallmouth Bass, Musky, Walleye) – June to September
Mattawa River: (Walleye, Northern Pike, Smallmouth Bass) – June to August
Niagara River: (Steelhead, Brown Trout) – October to December
Credit River tributaries: (Brook Trout) – May to October
Humber River: (Rainbow Trout, Brown Trout) – May to October
Bronte Creek: (Brown Trout, Rainbow Trout) – April to October
Nipigon River: (Brook Trout) – June to August
Credit River upper tributaries: (Brook Trout) – May to October
Sydenham River: (Brown Trout, Rainbow Trout) – May to October
Madawaska River: (Smallmouth Bass, Brook Trout, Walleye) – June to September
Spanish River: (Brook Trout, Rainbow Trout) – June to August.
Lake Nipissing: Best for walleye and northern pike, with the best fishing in May and June.
Lake Simcoe: Best for yellow perch and lake trout, with the best fishing in April and May.
Grand River: Best for brown trout, with the best fishing in May and June.
Nottawasaga River: Best for rainbow trout and chinook salmon, with the best fishing in September and October.
French River: Best for musky and smallmouth bass, with the best fishing in June and July.
Credit River: Best for brown trout and steelhead, with the best fishing in March and April.
St. Mary’s River: Best for Atlantic salmon and steelhead, with the best fishing in September and October.
Ganaraska River: Best for chinook salmon and steelhead, with the best fishing in September and October.
Sydenham River: Best for smallmouth bass and walleye, with the best fishing in June and July.
Maitland River: Best for rainbow trout and steelhead, with the best fishing in October and November.
Saugeen River: Best for smallmouth bass and brown trout, with the best fishing in June and July.
Frenchman’s Bay: Best for northern pike and yellow perch, with the best fishing in May and June.
Lake of the Woods: Best for walleye and smallmouth bass, with the best fishing in June and July.
Spanish River: Best for walleye and northern pike, with the best fishing in May and June.
Niagara River: Best for smallmouth bass and steelhead, with the best fishing in October and November.
Pickerel River: Best for musky and northern pike, with the best fishing in July and August.
Mississagi River: Best for brook trout and rainbow trout, with the best fishing in May and June.
Lake Temagami: Best for lake trout and northern pike, with the best fishing in June and July.
English River: Best for walleye and northern pike, with the best fishing in May and June.
Spanish Lake: Best for lake trout and northern pike, with the best fishing in June and July.
Georgian Bay, Lake Huron: Best months: May to September; targeted fish: lake trout, smallmouth bass, northern pike.
St. Marys River, Lake Superior: Best months: May to September; targeted fish: walleye, lake trout, Atlantic salmon, steelhead.
Nipigon River, Lake Superior: Best months: May to September; targeted fish: brook trout, lake trout, steelhead, salmon.
Whitefish Bay, Lake Superior: Best months: July to September; targeted fish: lake trout, steelhead, salmon.
Thunder Bay, Lake Superior: Best months: July to September; targeted fish: lake trout, salmon, steelhead.
Niagara River, Lake Ontario: Best months: March to May and September to November; targeted fish: salmon, trout, walleye, smallmouth bass.
Bay of Quinte, Lake Ontario: Best months: April to June and September to November; targeted fish: walleye, northern pike, bass, musky.
Prince Edward County, Lake Ontario: Best months: May to September; targeted fish: salmon, trout, walleye, bass.
North Channel, Lake Huron: Best months: May to September; targeted fish: smallmouth bass, lake trout, walleye, northern pike.
French River, Lake Huron: Best months: May to September; targeted fish: musky, pike, bass, walleye.
Manitoulin Island, Lake Huron: Best months: May to September; targeted fish: lake trout, salmon, bass, pike.
Bay of Islands, Lake Huron: Best months: May to September; targeted fish: musky, pike, smallmouth bass.
Lake Nipissing, Lake Huron: Best months: May to September; targeted fish: walleye, pike, musky, bass.
Long Point Bay, Lake Erie: Best months: April to June and September to November; targeted fish: walleye, perch, bass, musky.
Pelee Island, Lake Erie: Best months: May to September; targeted fish: walleye, perch, bass, musky.
These Ontario-based charters are some of the best at putting you on great fishing action. The captains are knowledgeable and professional and are sure to put you on fish. By clicking the links below, you will be taken to the charter’s respective profile on Fishing Booker where you can read reviews, learn more about the charter, view photos, and book online at the best rate.
| Recommended Fishing Charters | Location |
| Taymo Charters | Oakville, ON |
| Phantom Sportfishing | Hamilton, ON |
| Fishin’ Clinician Charters | St. Catharines, ON |
| Tails Up Sportfishing | Hamilton, ON |
| Salmon Catcher Charters Toronto | Mississauga, ON |
| Sea Angel Charters – Toronto | Mississauga, ON |
| Angler’s Edge Fishing Charters | Toronto, ON |
| Niagara Fish Assassins Sportfishing | St. Catharines, ON |
| Blue Rock Charters | Kingston, ON |
| Moxon’s Guide Service | Lakeshore, ON |
| Harry Lake Lodge | Upsala, ON |
| Bluewater Fishing Adventures–Credit | Mississauga, ON |
The best time to fly fish for Chinook salmon in Ontario is from late August to early September. The fish migrate upstream during this time in search of spawning grounds. Early morning and late afternoon are the best times to fish for Chinook salmon. Some of Ontario’s best locations to fish for Chinook salmon include the Nottawasaga River, the Credit River, and the Grand River.
Coho salmon are usually caught during the fall in Ontario, from September to November. They are known to migrate to their spawning grounds during this time, making them more active and easier to catch. Early mornings and late afternoons are the best times to fish for them, and the best locations include rivers such as the Saugeen River, Credit River, and Ganaraska River. Fly fishermen typically use streamer patterns like woolly buggers or egg patterns to catch them.
The best time to fly fish for brook trout in Ontario is from May to September when the water is warmer and insects are abundant. Early morning or late afternoon are the best times to catch them. Some great locations to fly fish for brook trout in Ontario include the Nipigon River, the Spanish River, and the French River.
The best times and seasons to fly fish for brown trout in Ontario are typically in the spring and fall months. In the spring, look for hatches of mayflies and caddisflies. In the fall, brown trout can be caught on streamers and nymphs as they prepare for the winter. Early morning and late afternoon are the best times of day to fish. Ontario’s best locations for fly fishing brown trout include the Grand River, Nottawasaga River, and Credit River.
Steelhead are typically caught in Ontario rivers and streams during their spawning runs in the fall and spring. The best months for fly fishing for steelhead in Ontario are usually October to November in the fall, and April to May in the spring. Steelhead can be caught throughout the day, but early morning and late evening tend to be the most productive times. Some of the best locations for fly fishing for steelhead in Ontario include the Credit River, the Ganaraska River, and the Saugeen River.
Rainbow trout can be caught throughout the year in Ontario, but the best time to fly fish for them is in the spring and fall months when they are more active. Early mornings and late evenings are also great times to catch them. Some of Ontario’s best locations for fly fishing for rainbow trout include the Credit River, the Grand River, the Niagara River, and the Saugeen River. It’s also possible to catch them in smaller streams and tributaries throughout the province.
Arctic char is a popular fish for fly fishing enthusiasts in Ontario. The best time to fish for arctic char is during summer, typically from June to August, when water temperatures are warmer. Early morning and late afternoon are the best times to fish for Arctic char. Ontario’s best locations for fly fishing for arctic char include the streams and rivers of the Arctic watershed, particularly around the Hudson Bay and James Bay areas.
Lake trout is most commonly fished in Ontario during the spring and summer months, with the best fishing times being in the early morning or late evening. Ontario’s best locations for lake trout fishing are typically found in deep, clear waters of the Great Lakes, such as Lake Huron, Lake Superior, and Lake Ontario. Other great locations include various lakes in the Algoma region, such as Dog Lake and Trout Lake.
When fishing for northern pike in Ontario, the best time to go is usually during the late spring and early summer months, from May to July. Early morning and late evening are the best times of day to catch them. Some of Ontario’s best locations to fish for pike include the Kawartha Lakes, Lake Simcoe, and the French River. Look for weedy areas and drop-offs where pike like to hang out.
If you’re looking to fish for musky in Ontario, the best times are in the summer and fall, particularly from June to October. Early mornings and late evenings are usually the most productive times of day, and it’s best to fish in clear waters with structure like weed beds and rocky areas. Some of Ontario’s best locations for musky fishing include Georgian Bay, the Kawartha Lakes, Lake of the Woods, and the French River.
Crappie fishing in Ontario is best during the spring and fall months, with May and June being the best. The best time of day to fish for crappie is early morning and late evening. Some of Ontario’s best locations to fish for crappie include Rice Lake, the Bay of Quinte, and the Trent-Severn Waterway.
Whitefish are typically caught in the fall and winter months in Ontario, particularly in September through December. Early morning and late evening are the best times of day to fish for whitefish. Some of the best locations in Ontario for whitefish fishing include Lake Simcoe, Lake Nipissing, Georgian Bay, and the French River.
Walleye fishing in Ontario is best during May, June, and July when they are spawning and feeding actively, with dawn and dusk being the most productive times of the day. Some of the best locations for walleye fishing in Ontario include the Ottawa River, Lake Nipissing, Lake of the Woods, Georgian Bay, and the French River, among others.
Catfish can be found in many rivers and lakes throughout Ontario, but the best time to fish for them is during the summer when water temperatures are warmer. Early morning and late evening are usually the best times of day to catch catfish. Some popular locations for catfishing in Ontario include the Grand River, the Ottawa River, and the Thames River.
Largemouth bass fishing in Ontario peaks from late May through September when the water temperatures are warmer, and the fish are more active. Early morning and evening are the best times to fish for largemouth bass. Some of the best locations for largemouth bass fishing in Ontario include Rice Lake, Lake St. Clair, Lake Muskoka, and Lake Simcoe.
Smallmouth bass in Ontario are best fished during late spring to early summer and early fall when water temperatures range between 60-75°F; early mornings and evenings are generally the best time of day. Ontario’s great smallmouth bass fishing locations include the French River, Lake Nipissing, Lake of the Woods, and the Trent-Severn Waterway.
Carp are available year-round in Ontario, but the best time to fish for them is in late spring and early summer (May-June) when they are actively spawning, with early morning and late afternoon being the most productive times of the day. Some of Ontario’s best locations to fish for carp include Lake Ontario, the Grand River, the Trent River, and the Rideau River.
Yellow perch can be caught all year round in Ontario, but the best time to fish for them is in the spring and fall. The best time of day to fish for perch is early morning and late afternoon. The best locations for perch fishing in Ontario are in shallow bays and weedy areas of lakes, such as Lake Erie, Lake Simcoe, and Rice Lake.
For a complete breakdown of the best times to fish in Wyoming, check out this guide. Check out this guide for a complete breakdown of the best times to fish in Montana. Check out this guide for a complete breakdown of the best times to fish in Colorado. Check out this guide for a complete breakdown of the best times to fish in Michigan. Check out this guide for a complete breakdown of the best times to fish in Pennsylvania.
