Northeastern Ontario is a BIG expanse of wilderness full of incredible fly fishing destinations.
You can chase bass, walleye or pike in one place, and then find wild brook trout or even fabled aurora trout in another spot. You can fish meandering, mystical rivers in a canoe, camping along the way, or hop in a Lund and speed across the surface of a calm lake, off to the next spot. Whatever you’re looking to do, you can find it here.
We, the So Fly Crew, been spending the last several years exploring the province—more specifically Northeastern Ontario—and we’re just getting started, really. And although there are many places we still need to explore in this region, we have fished a bunch. Out of that bunch, here are our five favourite spots to chase fish on the fly in Northeastern Ontario—and why they’re at the top of our list.
5. BROOK TROUT WITH TEMAGAMI OUTFITTING CO.
This backcountry canoe trip is fully guided with Temagami Outfitting Co. They provide all the gear needed to enjoy a week-long camping trip in this beautiful region—all you need to do is bring your fly gear. The north branch of the Lady Evelyn river system is a winding, wild portion where you can catch beautiful Temagami brook trout. The best fishing takes place in plunge pools and pocket water; clear and very clean. Enticing fish on a dry or a big streamer is typically the name of the game.
4. CRUISE THE MONTREAL RIVER WITH ELK LAKE WILDERNESS RESORT
The Montreal River is wider, and easier to do with a power boat. Head to Elk Lake Wilderness Resort which is located on the banks of the Montreal, and you’ll have access to Lunds kitted out with a fish-finder and trolling motor—the perfect machine to get you around this bigger water. The river widens into a lake called Mountain Lake. Here you can find nice pike on the fly opportunities. The deeper parts of the river hold walleye, and with a full-sinking line you have a great chance at them.
3. DO IT YOURSELF IN THE RIVER VALLEY
This trip is DIY-style where you can car camp or RV in the West Nipissing area. Here you’re able to fish the Sturgeon River and Temagami River, as well as their tributaries. Both rivers offer excellent fishing for pike, bass, walleye and whitefish. You can also find brook trout on some of the small streams in the area—a beautiful area with incredible wild scenery.
2. FIND MONSTER SMALLMOUTH IN THE GOGAMA AREA
Gogama is located two hundred kilometers north of Sudbury. There are endless lakes and rivers to explore here with some of the biggest smallmouth bass we’ve ever seen—serious monsters. Of course you can find water in the area with pike, walleye and brook trout, but we chased bass and got into a few excellent lunkers. You can stay right in Gogama at one of the many retreats and lodges available on Minisinakwa Lake, like Gogama Lodge. From these base-camps you can head out for day trips and explore the area however you’d like.
1. SERIOUS PIKE ON THE ATTAWAPISKAT RIVER
This. This is the trip of a lifetime. Here, you can explore in the far north of Ontario, and chase HUGE, HUGE pike and walleye. We were lucky to fish this river for a week, and caught a ton of massive fish. It’s a remote place to go, where you can either camp or find an outpost camp equipped with guides to help you out. It’s really a fly-in only destination. If you can take a trip up to this wonderful place, our recommendation is: do it.
So there you have it— five of our favourite places to explore in Northeastern Ontario. Grab your rod, grab a lunch, and get the heck out there. There’s so much to explore and see in this wild, beautiful region of our province. Fish on!
