Georgian Bay is home to some giant walleye and there are plenty of them here if you want to target them. The best time to fish for walleye is in the spring or early summer as these fish move into the shallower bays and creeks in this area. There is so much obvious water to fish here that are typical in Canadian waters and these bays, points and islands are home to some awesome early season fishing. As summer approaches, most of the better quality walleye will move into deeper water and as they get out into the big, open water, they are definitely harder to find and you have to deal with the bigger waves as well.
The fall brings a lot more walleye back into these shallower areas, so it is also a good time to target these fish without having to fish really deep, open water. With the clear waters, make sure you go with lighter line or try using fluorocarbon leaders if you are going a little heavier to avoid the pike bite-offs.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
Best Baits for Walleye
Walleye eat a variety of different baits, however, when push comes to shove, it is much easier to catch them with live baits. Minnows, nightcrawlers and leeches are definitely the best live baits for walleye.
While most anglers will just use live baits, many anglers will also target walleye with lures as well. Crankbaits and soft plastics are the best lures for walleye, however, you can catch walleye with a variety of different lures.
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Best Rigs for Walleye
When targeting walleye, there are many different rigs that you can use to catch them. While most anglers will keep it super simple and just use a simple jighead, many anglers will use a variety of rigs such as spinner rigs, 3 way rigs, bottom bouncers, drop shot rigs and many others.
To learn more, take a look at our best rigs for walleye page.
Best Techniques for Walleye
Jigging is by far the most popular technique for walleye fishing, however, you can catch them a variety of different ways. Casting, trolling and drifting are some of the other awesome techniques that anglers use.
To learn more, take a look at our best techniques for walleye page.
Learn More About Walleye
Our walleye fishing section has tons of tips on the best lures, live baits, where to catch them and how to catch them.
Visit our walleye fishing website to learn more.
