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Ontario Fish Guide

Fish Species of Ontario

A comprehensive guide to Ontario's most popular game fish — identification, habitat, best techniques, and where to find them.

Popular Ontario Fish

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Sport Fish

Trout & Salmon

Panfish & Coarse

Cleaning Your Catch

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Bass Fishing Ontario

Everything you need on this topic

Best Bass Lakes
Central Ontario Smallmouth Guide
Bass Seasons & Opener
Bass Lures
Spinning vs. Baitcasting Reels
Bass Fishing Tips
Weekly Bass Reports
Beginner Bass Guide

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Walleye Fishing Ontario

Everything you need on this topic

Walleye Opener 2026
Nipissing Pre-Spawn Walleye
Golden Ghost Walleye
Best Walleye Lures
Spinning vs. Baitcasting Reels
Walleye Regulations
Weekly Walleye Reports

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Pike & Muskie Ontario

Everything you need on this topic

Far North Pike
Boreal Frontier Trips
Pike & Muskie Lures
Pike Knots & Leaders
Northern Ontario Spots

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Trout Fishing Ontario

Everything you need on this topic

Algonquin Brook Trout
Algonquin Canoe-In Fishing
Small Streamer May
Fly Fishing for Trout
Provincial Parks
Saugeen River Guide

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Ontario Fish Species Guides

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Fish Species of Ontario

Popular Ontario Fish

Sport Fish

Walleye

Smallmouth Bass

Northern Pike

Muskellunge (Muskie)

Largemouth Bass

Trout & Salmon

Lake Trout

Brook Trout

Rainbow Trout / Steelhead

Panfish & Coarse

Yellow Perch

Channel Catfish

Common Carp

Crappie

Cleaning Your Catch

How to Fillet a Fish

Know What You're After?

Bass Fishing Ontario

Walleye Fishing Ontario

Pike & Muskie Ontario

Trout Fishing Ontario

Ontario Fish Species Guides

Printable Species Guides

Fish Species of Ontario

Popular Ontario Fish

Sport Fish

WalleyeOntario's most sought-after sport fish and arguably the best-tasting freshwater fish in North America.121 mapped waters

Walleye

Smallmouth BassOften called the 'pound-for-pound hardest fighting freshwater fish,' smallmouth bass are prized for their acrobatic leaps and powerful runs.137 mapped waters

Smallmouth Bass

Northern PikeAggressive ambush predators with a fearsome set of teeth, northern pike provide explosive strikes and powerful fights.116 mapped waters

Northern Pike

Muskellunge (Muskie)Known as the 'fish of 10,000 casts,' muskellunge are Ontario's ultimate trophy fish.51 mapped waters

Muskellunge (Muskie)

Largemouth BassThe king of warm-water fishing, largemouth bass are found in weedy lakes, ponds, and slow rivers across southern Ontario.77 mapped waters

Largemouth Bass

Trout & Salmon

Lake TroutOntario's deepwater giants, lake trout are the largest of the char family and thrive in the province's coldest, deepest Shield lakes.51 mapped waters

Lake Trout

Brook TroutOntario's only native trout species (technically a char), brook trout are treasured for their stunning beauty — olive-green backs with vermiculation patterns, red spots with blue halos, and vibrant orange bellies during spawning.16 mapped waters

Brook Trout

Rainbow Trout / SteelheadRainbow trout that migrate to the Great Lakes and return to tributaries to spawn are called steelhead — they grow much larger and fight harder than their stream-resident counterparts.42 mapped waters

Rainbow Trout / Steelhead

Panfish & Coarse

Yellow PerchThe bread and butter of Ontario panfishing, yellow perch are abundant, easy to catch, and absolutely delicious.78 mapped waters

Yellow Perch

Channel CatfishOften overlooked by sport anglers, channel catfish are powerful fighters that can grow to impressive sizes in Ontario's warmer rivers and lakes.10 mapped waters

Channel Catfish

Common CarpOnce considered a nuisance fish, carp have gained a devoted following among Ontario anglers who appreciate their incredible power, stamina, and challenging nature.23 mapped waters

Common Carp

CrappieBoth black and white crappie are found in Ontario, with black crappie being more common.27 mapped waters

Crappie

Cleaning Your Catch

How to Fillet a FishStep-by-step guide to cleaning walleye, bass, and trout.

How to Fillet a Fish

Know What You're After?

Bass Fishing Ontario

Walleye Fishing Ontario

Pike & Muskie Ontario

Trout Fishing Ontario

Ontario Fish Species Guides

Printable Species GuidesIdentification posters and checklists for your tackle box.

Printable Species Guides