Where to go kayak fishing in Ontario

Specialized fishing kayaks

In recent years, kayak sales have been on the rise, and almost half of the kayaks sold today are rigged with the angler in mind. 

There are many good reasons for the surge in popularity of kayaks for fishing. 

Fishing kayaks are a very economical way to experience sport fishing compared to gas-powered boats. Today’s fishing kayaks share many of the dedicated angling features found on traditional fishing boats, in a range of prices, depending on design and equipment. 

Angling kayaks are built for increased stability, comfort and storage and designed to accommodate fishing gear. Built-in rod holders and tackle storage compartments are joined by mounting systems that allow the addition of accessories like fish finders and underwater cameras. 

Comfortable and highly adjustable seating is designed for long hours on the water, and in wider, more stable models, it’s even possible to stand while casting or fighting a fish. Some models offer pedal-powered paddling or integrated electric motors for hands-free steering so anglers can troll, cast and jig just as they would in a traditional fishing boat. 

Relatively light and small, kayaks can be towed on a small trailer, slid into the back of a truck or secured to the roof racks of a car for easy transport.

Perhaps the greatest benefit of the fishing kayak is the fresh air, exercise and closeness to nature.

Kayak fishing destinations

It’s no surprise that kayak anglers looking for intriguing, beautiful and productive angling destinations look to Ontario, home to almost a quarter of the world’s fresh water.

The versatility of today’s fishing kayak is complemented by the opportunities offered by Ontario fishing destinations. Find an abundance of drive-to lakes and rivers, as well as wilderness destinations accessible only by rail or floatplane.

During the open water season, kayak anglers are downrigging for salmon, fly fishing for brook trout, jigging for walleye and casting for topwater for smallmouth bass. Others are working vegetation for largemouth bass, targeting toothy northern pike or on the hunt for giant muskellunge. The Great Lakes, including Lakes Superior, Huron, Erie and Ontario, offer big water fishing for a wide range of species, including salmon, lake trout, rainbow trout, walleye and pike. Although most kayak anglers will opt for smaller bodies of water. 

Search for virtually every water body in Ontario on the Ministry of Natural Resources Fish ON-line tool. 

As with fishing from a boat, anglers are required to obtain a fishing licence. Review Ontario’s Fishing Regulations for information about fishing licences, seasons, catch limits and fishing zones.

Accommodation is another important consideration. Motels and hotels in full-service communities, close to fishing destinations, let kayakers tailor their own do-it-yourself trips. Days on the water are followed by restaurant meals. Do-it-yourself camping on Crown land is another rewarding choice for self-sufficient wilderness campers.

Fishing cottages and lodges

Waterfront cottages and lodges with kitchen-equipped rooms and housekeeping plans are great for kayak anglers who enjoy doing their own cooking and setting their own schedule. 

On the other end of the spectrum, American Plan lodges provide up to three meals a day and can cater to anglers’ needs, including knowledgeable guides and friendly staff.

Here’s a cross-section of accommodations that welcome anglers. 

Five Lakes Lodge

The Northwest Ontario town of Red Lake is synonymous with walleye and pike fishing, and 25-kilometre-long Gull Rock Lake is a perfect example. Kayak-equipped anglers can drive up Highway 105 to nine fully equipped housekeeping cottages at Five Lakes Lodge for the bounty of Gull Rock, plus access to additional lake and river systems.

Location: Red Lake

Slippery Winds Wilderness Lodge 

Yoke Lake and the surrounding remote waters south of Dryden are accessible only by floatplane, but Slippery Winds Wilderness Lodge is no stranger to kayak anglers who fly their boats in. Great fishing for walleye, bass, lake trout, pike and even muskellunge is found on the main lakes or at the end of portage trails.

Location: Yoke Lake Unorganized Territory

Branch’s Seine River Lodge 

Located just off Highway 11 near the town of Atikokan, Branch’s Seine River Lodge provides lakeside cabins with access to 50 kilometres of interconnected waters along the Seine River Chain of Lakes. Pike, walleye, crappie and smallmouth bass inhabit these waters, plus lake trout in nearby remote lakes. The lodge is also close to the kayak-friendly waters of Quetico Provincial Park, where powerboats are not allowed.

Location: 1 Banning Lake Road, Rainy River

La Place Rendez-Vous

Located on the shores of sprawling Rainy Lake in the town of Fort Frances, La Place Rendez-Vous makes a great urban angling headquarters, with modern guestrooms, a lakeside dining room overlooking the sand beach and docking facilities. Rainy Lake’s muskellunge fishing is world-renowned, along with excellent walleye, bass and pike fishing.

Location: 1201 Idylwild Drive, Fort Frances

Bonny Bay Camp

Just south of Dryden, 30-kilometre-long Wabigoon Lake is well-known for walleye, muskellunge, northern pike and bass. Housekeeping cabins, docking facilities and the main lodge of Bonny Bay Camp are just off the TransCanada Highway and provide everything needed to make the most of this legendary fishery.

Location: 222 Bonny Bay Road, Dryden

Crawford’s Camp

With an incredible 100,000 kilometres of shoreline, Lake of the Woods holds virtually limitless opportunities for lake trout, muskellunge, bass and walleye. Crawford’s Camp, near the town of Sioux Narrows, is central to some of the best angling.

Location: 5821 ON-71, Sioux Narrows

Brown’s Clearwater Lodge 

Long sand beaches are perfect for sliding a kayak into the trophy lake trout waters of Clearwater Lake and the remote wooded shores of White Otter Lake for exploring farther afield for big northern pike and walleye. Brown’s Clearwater Lodge offers a variety of accommodations, including a 75-site campground, lakeshore studio apartments and outpost camps on adjoining waters.

Location: Clearwater West Lake, ON-622, Rainy River

Kaskabowie River Resort

An hour west of Thunder Bay, 40-kilometre-long Shebandowan Lake is loaded with walleye, pike and smallmouth bass. At the mouth of the main spawning river, guests regularly catch walleye right from the dock at Kaskabowie River Resort. Added touches like a sauna on the beach and scenic falls complement excellent fishing and accommodations.

Location: 1 Kash River Road, Kashabowie

The Lodge at Red Rock

The Nipigon River is famous for producing the world record brook trout in 1915, and today, anglers regularly catch trophy brookies that continue to thrive here through careful management. The Lodge near the town of Red Rock is a 370 square metre log structure built in 1937 near the mouth of the Nipigon River, offering access to the fabled fishing of the Nipigon River, Lake Nipigon and Lake Superior.

Location: Red Rock

Dog Lake Resort

The sprawling arms, wide basins and narrow inlets of Dog Lake are popular with anglers seeking walleye, bass and pike. Dog Lake Resort, North of Thunder Bay, is located along the sandy shores of the east arm with accommodations ranging from a 100-site RV campground to comfortable waterfront cabins with options for housekeeping or meals provided in the lodge dining room.

Location: Thunder Bay

The Outpost Lodge

A beautifully preserved 1938 Adirondack-style main lodge and fully equipped cottages sit under a canopy of mature trees along the shores of Jobamageeshig Lake. The Outpost Lodge is central to seven lakes and two river systems, where kayak anglers can fish for several species of trout along with whitefish, smallmouth bass, pike and walleye.

Location: 8572 ON-129, Thessalon

Birchland Cottages

Just off Highway 17, east of Sault Ste. Marie, Birchland Cottages are nestled within a mature maple forest along the shores of Clear Lake. Walleye, pike and bass swim the crystal-clear waters of this small inland lake, making it a great destination for protected waters or as a headquarters for exploring surrounding lakes.

Location: Huron Shores

Laurentian Lodge 

Exquisitely crafted horizontal log main lodge and a collection of chalets are built along the rapids and falls of a small river joining Flack and Mikel Lakes. Laurentian Lodge began in the 1930s as a fly-in fishing destination. Today, it’s accessible via Highway 639, and the great fishing for lake trout in Flack Lake remains.

Location: Elliot Lake

Brennan Harbour Resort

Main lodge, cabins and docking facilities rest on the smooth rocky shoreline near the mouth of the Spanish River. Brennan Harbour Resort provides access to the picturesque Whalesback Channel of Lake Huron, where a wealth of islands, bays, narrows, and inlets are habitat for walleye, northern pike, bass and muskellunge.

Location: 308 Brennan Harbour Road, Spanish

Stillwater Fishing and Tours

Stillwater Fishing and Tours offers great fishing in the beautiful McGregor Bay area, squeezed between Manitoulin Island and the mainland. Accommodations are provided through Among the Trees where luxury domes include the use of kayaks. Owner and guide, Brian Still, can point you in the right direction for bass, walleye and even muskellunge in the bay’s protected waters.

Location: 131 McGregor Bay Road, Birch Island

Timberline Rustic Lodges

Lake Manitou is the largest lake within a freshwater island and the home of Timberline Rustic Lodges. Waterfront cottages and a tiny man-made harbour provide access to the lake trout, walleye and bass contained within Manitou’s 140 kilometres of shoreline. 

Location: 249 Mill Road, Mindemoya

Temagami Shores Inn and Resort 

Perched on top of a glacier-scoured rock cut overlooking the Northeast arm of Lake Temagami, Temagami Shores Inn and Resort offers a range of accommodation from motel suites to white pine shaded cabins. Guests enjoy easy access to services in Temagami and great fishing for lake trout, walleye and bass in giant Lake Temagami, including the sheltered waters of the 15-kilometre-long east arm.

Location: 6612 ON-11, Temagami

Chaudiere Lodge 

Located on an island in the heart of the French River, Chaudiere Lodge provides kayaks on a first-come, first-served basis. Shoreline cabins are complemented by a large main lodge where gourmet meals are served. Explore on your own or hire one of the lodge’s guides to target walleye, northern pike, bass and muskellunge.

Location: Monetville

Tama Kwa Vacationland 

The walleye, pike, muskellunge and bass fishing of Lake Nipissing is well-known and Tama Kwa Vacationland is one of many excellent drive-to accommodations on this large body of water. Located at the east end of Nipissing, enjoy well-appointed cabins, a private sand beach and great fishing within the shelter of Callander Bay.

Location: 1164 ON-654, Callander

Memquisit Lodge

The protected waters of Lake Nipissing’s West Bay and West arm are particularly suited to kayak angling. Guests of Memquisit Lodge explore the islands, inlets, bays and narrows for pike, muskellunge, bass and walleye. The historic 1920s main lodge and cabins are built on a picturesque, sloping, smooth rock landscape. 

Location: 506 Memquisit Lodge Road, Monetville

Key Harbour Lodge

A selection of housekeeping cottages built along the sloping rocks of Georgian Bay provide access to the walleye, pike, bass and muskellunge of the bay, plus the same species in the protected waters of the French River. Key Harbour Lodge offers kayak touring. Enjoy the best of both worlds in the picturesque and protected waters of Georgian Bay in the French River.

Location: #2552, Key River

Ardagh Cottage Resort 

Perched at the narrows between Stoney and Buckhorn Lakes, Ardagh Cottage Resort is well situated for kayak anglers to experience the walleye, bass, pike and muskellunge fishing of the famous Kawartha Lakes chain. Housekeeping cottages, long sand beach and complimentary kayaks make this a great spot to explore the Trent Severn Waterway. 

Location: 22 Fire Route 7, Buckhorn

Merlin Park Cottages 

Near the town of Picton, guests of Merlin Park Cottages target the trophy walleye of the famous Bay of Quinte but can also catch pan fish right from the dock. Accommodations range from kitchen-equipped cottages to a three-unit motel at this family and pet-friendly resort.

Location: 12488 Loyalist Parkway, Picton

Antler’s Kingfisher Lodge

Just off TransCanada Highway 17 near Deux Rivieres, this family-run operation has been leading guests to the walleye, bass and pike of the Ottawa River for more than 40 years. Antler’s Kingfisher Lodge offers housekeeping cottages and tent and trailer sites nestled in the shoreline woods. 

Location: 46980 ON-17, Deux-Rivières

From simple tent sites to full-service fishing resorts, Ontario’s wide accommodation options give kayak anglers access to diverse lakes, rivers and waters where sport fishing dreams come true.