The Kawartha Lakes sit in south-central Ontario, roughly 90 minutes to two hours northeast of Toronto, making them one of the most accessible freshwater fisheries in the country. The region is anchored by a chain of interconnected lakes linked by the historic 386 km Trent-Severn Waterway, which runs from Lake Ontario at Trenton all the way to Georgian Bay on Lake Huron.
More than 250 lakes and rivers sit within Kawarthas Northumberland alone — Pigeon, Buckhorn, Chemong, Stoney, Sturgeon, Balsam, Cameron, Rice Lake, Lake Scugog and Katchewanooka being the marquee destinations. A single long weekend can see you chasing walleye on Pigeon Lake in the morning and 50-inch muskies on Stoney Lake by afternoon.
Most lakes fall under MNRF Fisheries Management Zone 17, with a handful of northern Kawartha lakes in Zone 15. Always confirm current rules at ontario.ca/fishing before heading out.
- Walleye (Pickerel): the most sought-after table fish — best on the Tri-Lakes (Pigeon, Buckhorn, Chemong), the Trent River corridor, Rice Lake and the narrows between lakes
- Largemouth Bass: thrives in warm, weedy bays — Chemong, Pigeon and Rice Lake are standouts
- Smallmouth Bass: rocky Canadian Shield structure of the northern lakes — Stoney, Katchewanooka and the Bald Lakes
- Muskellunge: every Trent-Severn-connected waterbody holds muskie; Buckhorn, Pigeon, Balsam and Stoney produce fish over 50 inches
- Northern Pike: weedy, shallow areas across the region — Balsam and Chandos are standouts (Balsam also holds rare tiger muskie)
- Yellow Perch: abundant system-wide; Chemong is famous for jumbos
- Black Crappie: weedy bays and dock structure — Rice Lake is the standout
- Freshwater Drum, Carp and Longnose Gar all present as bonus species
- Walleye: open early May to mid-November; size and bag limits apply
- Muskie: opens the second Saturday in June — practice full catch-and-release where possible
- Largemouth & Smallmouth Bass: opens the second Saturday in June to mid-December; catch-and-release only before opener
- Northern Pike: open all year with size and bag limits
- Yellow Perch, Crappie, Sunfish: open all year
- No fishing within 23 metres (75 feet) of most Trent-Severn dam structures
- Zone 15 applies to some northern Kawartha lakes (Chandos, Jack Lake) — seasons may differ from Zone 17
| Season | Top Targets | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Spring (May–June) | Walleye, crappie, perch | Walleye opener early May; crappie staging in shallow weedy bays |
| Early Summer (Jun–Jul) | Bass & muskie openers | Bass aggressive post-spawn; muskie chasing big rubber and bucktails |
| Mid-Summer (Jul–Aug) | Bass, muskie, pike, panfish | Deep weed edges and main-lake humps; topwater at dawn and dusk |
| Autumn (Sep–Nov) | Trophy muskie, walleye, jumbo perch | The trophy season — big baits, slow presentations, cold water |
| Winter (Dec–Mar) | Perch, crappie, pike, lakers | Hardwater on Chemong, Buckhorn, Pigeon, Scugog and Rice Lake |
Pigeon Lake: the heart of the Tri-Lakes — strong walleye, big largemouth in the weedy bays and muskie throughout. Launch from Bobcaygeon or Omemee.
Buckhorn Lake: arguably the best muskie water in the system; also strong walleye on the Trent corridor. Lockstation access in Buckhorn village.
Chemong Lake: famous for jumbo perch, big largemouth around docks and a sleeper walleye fishery. Access from Bridgenorth.
Stoney Lake: rocky Canadian Shield structure — premier smallmouth, lake trout in the deeper basins and consistent muskie. Launch from Lakefield or Burleigh Falls.
Sturgeon Lake: big walleye reputation, strong muskie and pike, plus crappie in the spring. Launch from Bobcaygeon, Fenelon Falls or Sturgeon Point.
Balsam Lake: top-of-system reservoir known for big pike, tiger muskie and walleye. Provincial park access on the east shore.
Cameron Lake: short connector between Balsam and Sturgeon — walleye on the current breaks and bass along the rocky shorelines.
Rice Lake: shallow, fertile and famous for walleye, crappie and largemouth. Multiple launches from Bewdley, Gores Landing and Hastings.
Lake Scugog: extremely shallow and weedy — outstanding largemouth, crappie and muskie. Port Perry is the gateway town.
Katchewanooka Lake: small but mighty — smallmouth and walleye on the Otonabee corridor.
Bobcaygeon, Fenelon Falls, Buckhorn and Lakefield are the classic Kawartha gateway towns with marinas, bait shops, lodging and good launches. Peterborough offers full-service big-box options if you forget gear.
For an upscale base, Viamede Resort on Stoney Lake runs guided trips. For a more rugged experience, Balsam Lake Provincial Park has serviced campsites and direct boat access.
Few regions in Ontario offer this much diversity within a two-hour drive of Toronto. Whether you're chasing a 30-inch walleye, a 50-inch muskie, jumbo perch through the ice or your kids' first largemouth off the dock, the Kawarthas deliver. Always confirm Zone 17 (and Zone 15 where applicable) regulations at ontario.ca/fishing before each trip — and consider supporting the local guides, marinas and conservation groups that keep this fishery thriving.
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Frequently Asked Questions
What is the best lake in the Kawarthas for walleye?
The Tri-Lakes (Pigeon, Buckhorn and Chemong), Rice Lake and the Trent River corridor produce the most consistent walleye. Focus on weed edges, current seams and 8–15 ft breaks around the narrows between lakes.
When does walleye season open in the Kawarthas?
Most Kawartha lakes sit in Fisheries Management Zone 17, where walleye opens the second Saturday in May. A handful of northern lakes fall in Zone 15 with a later opener. Always confirm on ontario.ca/fishing.
Where can I fish the Kawartha Lakes from shore?
Locks along the Trent-Severn Waterway (Buckhorn, Lakefield, Bobcaygeon, Fenelon Falls), Rice Lake's south shore and public docks in Bobcaygeon, Fenelon Falls and Peterborough all fish well from shore for walleye, bass and panfish.
Are there muskie in the Kawartha Lakes?
Yes — every waterbody connected to the Trent-Severn holds muskie. Buckhorn, Pigeon, Balsam and Stoney Lake regularly produce fish over 50 inches. Balsam Lake even holds rare tiger muskie.
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