Welcome to our Georgian Bay Fishing Home Page

The Georgian Bay area is huge and it is home to some awesome recreational opportunities.  Georgian Bay is a bay of Lake Huron and if you take a look at the map, you will see just how big this area is and how diverse the fishery can be depending on where you choose to fish.



Protected Water Plus Quick Access to Deeper, Open Waters


Some areas will give you the best of both worlds here.  These areas give you quick access to deeper waters and protected waters with bays and islands.  If you have the right size boat, you can fish for warm water species such as smallmouth bass, largemouth bass, northern pike, muskie, walleye, panfish and cold water species such as salmon and trout.


Algoma Mills & Blind River


Algoma Mills and Blind River are two smaller towns on the north shore of Georgian Bay.  There aren’t a ton of places to stay here, but there are enough places to accommodate you if you want to visit this part of the bay.  You have a lot of options here with some good inland lakes to fish, easy access to deeper water out in the bay and more protected waters to fish around the many islands here too.  You can catch just about everything in this area with salmon and trout farther out in the bay, walleye, northern pike, muskie, largemouth bass, smallmouth bass and panfish around the numerous bays and islands.


Franklin Island Area


The Franklin Island area is a very large area to fish.  There are some smaller towns in this area that give you access to the excellent fishing here.  Brooks Landing, Dillon, Wawanaisa, Snug Harbor and Snug Haven will give you quick access to the area’s waters.  Anglers fish for largemouth bass, smallmouth bass, northern pike, muskie, walleye and panfish in the area waters.


Killarney


Located on Georgian Bay at the entrance to the famous North Channel, Killarney is part of a world renowned cruising and sailing destination.  The Killarney Provincial Park is here and the park draws outdoor enthusiasts from all over.  For anglers, there is some excellent fishing in this area.  With a lot of protected water, you can find plenty of places to fish even if the wind picks up.  Killarney Bay and the area waters are home to some excellent northern pike and smallmouth bass fishing.  Walleye, muskie, largemouth bass and panfish are here too.


Manitoulin Island


Manitoulin Island is a huge island in Georgian Bay that is made up of a bunch of small communities.  If you enjoy the outdoors and being around water, you would enjoy some time on Manitoulin Island.  The fishing is very good around the island and you have a lot of options as far as accommodations go.

Anglers can fish the lakes on the island, along the shorelines of the island or out around the island in a boat.  Lake Manitou and Lake Kagawong get a lot of attention inland.  Along the shorelines and out in the boat around the island, anglers catch largemouth bass, smallmouth bass, lake trout, rainbow trout, salmon, northern pike, muskie and perch.


Parry Sound Region


The Parry Sound Region is one of the best destinations on the Georgian Bay for anglers.  There is so many others things to do here besides fishing, so it’s an awesome vacation destination for the entire family.  If you enjoy fishing, this area is just flat out awesome.  You have plenty of places to fish in protected waters, so even if the wind blows, you can find a place to fish.  Anglers catch largemouth bass, smallmouth bass, northern pike, walleye, muskie, lake trout and more in this part of the bay.

Other Area Lakes

There are also so many other awesome places to fish in the many lakes in this area.  Most of them have very good fishing for largemouth bass and northern pike.  Some lakes will have smallmouth bass, walleye, lake trout and panfish too.


Spanish


Spanish is a small town on the north end of Georgian Bay.  The town has a good location for those who want to fish this part of the lake.  You have the mouth of the Spanish River and the bay here and it is just a short boat ride to so many islands and bays and you can find a lot of good spots to fish on windy days too.  There are a couple of resorts here and a marina.  Anglers fish for largemouth bass, smallmouth bass, northern pike, walleye, muskie and panfish.


Fish the Protected Areas


There are so many protected areas to fish in Georgian Bay.  The next set of areas listed will give you plenty of access to protected areas with bays, islands and channels to fish.  The deeper open waters will be a decent boat ride away, but that doesn’t matter if you aren’t planning on fishing farther offshore.


Bayfield Inlet


Bayfield Inlet gives you access to some awesome fishing spots around so many islands, in bays, in channels, around rocks and weeds for a variety of fish.  Anglers target largemouth bass, smallmouth bass, northern pike, walleye, muskie and panfish in this part of the bay.  There aren’t a ton of businesses here, but there is enough for you to experience an awesome fishing vacation.  It is one of the better parts of the bay to fish.


French River


The French River system is home to some incredible fishing.  Many anglers come here to target the walleye, bass or huge muskie.  You can find pretty much everything in here.  To go along with walleye and muskie, you will also find northern pike, smallmouth bass, largemouth bass, perch, sturgeon, catfish and sunfish too.  Many anglers come here just to fish the French River, but for the anglers who are coming to fish Lake Nipissing, it’s always nice to have the river as an option when you get windy days.


Honey Harbour


On the southeastern shores of Georgian Bay, just off Highway 400, lies Honey Harbour.  This is a busy port community during the summer months.  Honey Harbour gives you access to the 30,000 islands region.  You will see plenty of boaters here, but there are so many good fishing spots to fish that you should be able to find some spots to have all to yourself.  This area has so many bays and islands to fish here that you can easily find a place to fish even on windy days.  Anglers catch northern pike, walleye, muskie, largemouth bass, smallmouth bass and panfish too.  Good numbers of fish are available with trophy fish too.


Midland


The town of Midland is located on the southern shore of Georgian Bay, just a 90 minute drive from Toronto. Overlooking Severn Sound, the area is part of the 30,000 islands.  The bay here has a lot of good weed growth and it attracts lots of northern pike.  Largemouth bass and smallmouth bass are caught in the bay as well.  You have access to many other bays and islands to fish just a short boat ride away from Midland where you can target largemouth bass, smallmouth bass, walleye, northern pike, muskie and more.


Penetanguishene


Located on the southern shores of Georgian Bay, Penetanguishene is a part of the magnificent 30,000 island region.  The long bay is not too far from all the islands that offer such excellent fishing for largemouth bass, smallmouth bass, northern pike, muskie, walleye and more.  Closer to Penetanguishene, anglers catch a lot of northern pike and bass in the bay.


Pointe Au Baril


This part of Georgian Bay is very protected, so you can fish here with a smaller boat on most days and be just fine.  With a bigger boat, you have a lot more options here.  Fish the long channels, numerous bays and islands and you really don’t have to venture all the way out to the open waters of the bay to catch fish.  Stay in the protected waters and fish for largemouth bass, smallmouth bass, northern pike, walleye, muskie and panfish.


Whitefish Falls / Birch Island


The towns of Whitefish Falls & Birch Island give anglers quick access to one of the most protected areas of the lake.  You are close to so many good fishing spots just a short boat ride away.  It is one of the better areas of the lake to come with a smaller boat as well, however, a bigger boat will give you a lot more options if you want to hit more productive spots.  Anglers fish for largemouth bass, smallmouth bass, northern pike, walleye, muskie and panfish.


Fish the Open Water for Cool Water Species


The open water here is nice and cool, which is preferred by brown trout, lake trout, rainbow trout, salmon and whitefish.  Anglers that fish for salmon and trout will usually troll the open waters of Georgian Bay.  The next set of destinations will give you quick access to deeper waters.


Colinwood / The Blue Mountains


Located on the southern shores of Georgian Bay, Collingwood is a pretty cool four season resort town.  It is close to nearby Blue Mountain, which comes alive in the winter with skiers and snowboarders.  In the summer, people come here from all over to experience the water and other recreational activities in the area.  People enjoy the walking and hiking paths, waterfront parks, mountain bike trails, a yacht club, marina, so many shops, restaurants and excellent accommodations.

Anglers fish the deeper waters here for salmon and trout.  There are some fishing charters available on this part of the bay as well.

Blue Mountain is Ontario’s premier ski and snowboard destination and there is so much to do here inside and outside.


Lion’s Head


Located on the Bruce Peninsula, this is a small village with majestic cliffs of the Niagara Escarpment.  The water is beautiful here too and many people enjoy rock climbing, hiking and sightseeing.  Lion’s Head Provincial Park is here, which gives people access to an awesome area.  Anglers fish for salmon and trout in this part of the bay.


Meaford


Located on the shores of Georgian Bay, at the mouth of the Bighead River, Meaford is a nice community with a beautiful harbor.

Memorial Park & Campground is a popular park with a playground, day use area, picnic pavilion and a sandy beach.

Anglers fish the deeper waters here for salmon and trout.  Some charters are available out of this area.  The Bighead River gets big runs of steelhead and most anglers fish near town and through the Bighead River Conservation area.  This part of the river is rocky with very fast water and good access for anglers.


Sauble Beach


Sauble Beach has several miles of beach here and plenty of people enjoy this beach every summer.  If you want to fish in this area, you can fish the waters offshore this area for salmon and trout.  From shore, anglers spend a lot of time on the Sauble River.  Salmon and trout fishing is excellent in the river as fish move into the river to spawn in the spring and fall.


Tobermory


The village of Tobermory is located at the northernmost tip of the Bruce Peninsula.  This small town is very scenic and it has enough here to make it worth visiting.  It is a popular spot for diving and they do have a glass bottom boat that is available for viewing shipwrecks.  There is some very good fishing offshore here for salmon and trout.


Wasaga Beach


Wasaga Beach has several miles of white sand beaches.  There are excellent options for dining, accommodations, outdoor recreation and entertainment.

Nottawasaga River

Fishing is best from a boat out in the bay, but anglers also do well here on the Nottawasaga River.  The river gets spawning runs in the spring and fall.  Steelhead and salmon are available.


Wiarton


Located in Bruce County, Wiarton is often considered the gateway to the Bruce Peninsula.  It is a small town, but a good spot to visit and you can launch your boat here to target salmon and trout in the bay.


Fish the Rivers


The tributaries of the Georgian Sound provide good fishing for salmon and trout.  Some rivers and streams will also have bass, northern pike, muskie and more, but the salmon and trout trump in these tributaries.


Beatty Saugeen River


This river is a smaller tributary of the Saugeen River.  It enters the South Saugeen River near the town of Hanover before entering the main Saugeen River shortly after.  Anglers catch steelhead, brown trout, rainbow trout and brook trout.


Beaver River


The Beaver River is a popular river because of its excellent steelhead runs.  It flows into Georgian Bay in the town of Thornbury, Ontario.  This river has a few dams that the fish can pass and some fish will make it all the way upriver to Hogs Falls, which is near the town Kimberly.  Besides the steelhead, this river also has brown trout, brook trout, some resident rainbow trout and salmon run up this river too.


Bighead River


The Bighead river flows into Georgian Bay in the town of Meaford.  This river gets a large run of steelhead and is mostly fished near town and through the Bighead River Conservation area.  Chinook salmon also make fall runs here in September and October.


Boyne River


The Boyne River is a tributary of the Nottawasaga River.  It enters the Nottawasaga River in the town of Alliston and people fish right in town for steelhead, salmon and brown trout.  Farther upriver, anglers do catch brook trout also closer to the town of Shelburne.

.  People fish right in town for steelhead, brown trout and salmon during the trout open season and there is good access there.


Mad and Noisy Rivers


The Mad River is a tributary of the Nottawasaga River and the The Noisy River is a branch of the Mad River which merges with the Mad river upriver from the town of Creemore.  Both rivers have a population of brook trout and they get spawning runs of salmon and steelhead.


Nottawasaga River


The Nottawasaga River, also called the Notty, is the biggest wild steelhead river that flows into Georgian Bay.  It’s slower moving, deeper waters make it somewhat difficult to catch steelhead on it because it is flat, slow and slightly cloudy.  When you find the fish, it isn’t as hard to get them to bite since they won’t spook as easily as they would in clearer water, but they are harder to find for most anglers due to the lack of obvious spots.  You have to put your work in on this river to learn where the steelhead like to be if you’re going to consistently catch them here.

The upper sections of the river have brown trout and brook trout, but this section of the river is almost all private lands, so you don’t have access to this area.  Bass, northern pike and muskie can be caught in the lower sections of the river.


Pine River


The Pine river is the largest tributary of the Nottawasaga river.  It has cold, clean water and good summer flows, which makes it a good river for steelhead and salmon.  The lower Pine River empties into the Nottawasaga in the town of Angus.  Because of good access here, the lower river usually gets pressured the most by anglers.


Saugeen River


The Saugeen River is a huge river system and it is home to brown trout, brook trout and resident rainbow trout.  It is a wide river that gives anglers lots of water to fish.  Floating this river in a drift boat is common and the best way to cover some water here to catch more fish.  On the lower half of the river, anglers target steelhead and salmon when they make their spawning runs.  Bass and muskie are here too.


Sydenham River


The Sydenham River has special regulations, so make sure you check the current regulations to see what areas are open to fishing and what areas are not.  Steelhead and salmon make spawning runs up the river and they can’t make it passed Inglis Falls, so you have good numbers of fish in a fairly small section of river compared to some of the other spawning tributaries of Georgian Bay.  Brook trout and brown trout are found here in both the upper and lower sections of the river, but most people come here to fish the spawning runs for salmon and steelhead in the lower section of the river.