Master the Art of Fishing in Canada

Find the best spots. Learn proven techniques. Catch more fish.

Start Learning Browse Locations

2M+

Lakes in Canada

180+

Fish Species

50+

City Guides

$25

Avg License

Everything You Need to Succeed

From first cast to trophy catch

01

Learn the Basics

Master essential skills with our step-by-step guides. Perfect for complete beginners.

02

Find Prime Spots

Discover verified fishing locations with GPS coordinates and local insights.

03

Choose Right Gear

Expert reviews and recommendations for every budget and fishing style.

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Top Fishing Cities

Explore Canada's best urban fishing destinations

Ottawa

Peak: May - October

Top Fishing Spots

Petrie Island Walleye, Pike Morris Island Pike, Muskie Shirley's Bay Bass, Perch Dick Bell Park Carp, Bass Windsor Park Trout, Catfish Dow's Lake Panfish, Bass Mooney's Bay Pike, Perch Hog's Back Falls Smallmouth Champlain Bridge Brown Trout Black Rapids Walleye, Bass
Smallmouth Bass Pike Walleye Muskie

Fishing Stores

Canadian Tire
Canadian Tire Multiple Locations
Le Baron
Le Baron Sporting Goods
SAIL
SAIL Outdoors Rideau Centre
Local Shops
Local Tackle Shops Bait & Gear
Get License Regulations

Toronto

Peak: April - November

Top Fishing Spots

Toronto Islands Pike, Bass Ashbridges Bay Perch, Crappie Humber Bay Park Salmon, Trout Grenadier Pond Largemouth G. Ross Lord Park Rainbow Trout Colonel Sam Smith Carp, Pike Marie Curtis Park Salmon Run Bluffer's Park Trout, Bass Highland Creek Steelhead Tommy Thompson Pike, Carp
Chinook Salmon Rainbow Trout Carp Bass

Fishing Stores

Bass Pro Shops
Bass Pro Shops Vaughan Mills
SAIL
SAIL Outdoors North York
Canadian Tire
Canadian Tire Multiple Locations
Local Shops
Local Tackle Shops Harbourfront Area
Regulations City Info

Montreal

Peak: May - November

Top Fishing Spots

Lachine Rapids Muskie, Pike Parc des Rapides Sturgeon Île Bizard Bass, Pike Cap-Saint-Jacques Perch, Bass Canal Lachine Carp, Catfish Bassin Peel Pike, Walleye Parc Angrignon Trout, Bass Pointe-aux-Trembles Sturgeon Jean-Drapeau Various Old Port Pier Perch, Bass
Muskie Northern Pike Sturgeon Walleye

Fishing Stores

SAIL
SAIL Plein Air Multiple Locations
Canadian Tire
Canadian Tire Montreal Area
Decathlon
Decathlon Brossard
Local Shops
Local Tackle Shops Downtown & Suburbs
Get License Zone Map

Vancouver

Peak: Year-round

Top Fishing Spots

Ambleside Pier Dungeness Crab Garry Point Park Salmon Jericho Pier Crab, Sole Vanier Park Salmon, Perch Steveston Pier Halibut Capilano River Coho, Steelhead Barnet Marine Pink Salmon Iona Beach Sturgeon Spanish Banks Crab, Flounder Deep Cove Rockfish
Chinook Salmon Coho Salmon Halibut Lingcod

Fishing Stores

Bass Pro Shops
Bass Pro Shops Tsawwassen Mills
Cabela's
Cabela's Abbotsford
MEC
MEC Multiple Locations
Local Shops
Local Marine Stores Granville Island
Tidal License Fishing Areas

Calgary

Peak: June - September

Top Fishing Spots

Bow River - Inglewood Brown Trout Fish Creek Park Rainbow Trout Glenmore Reservoir Pike, Whitefish Prince's Island Rainbow Trout Policeman's Flats Brown, Rainbow McKinnon Flats Large Browns 22X Bridge Trophy Trout Carburn Park Rainbow Trout Shouldice Park Brown Trout Bowness Park Whitefish
Rainbow Trout Brown Trout Bull Trout Whitefish

Fishing Stores

Bass Pro Shops
Bass Pro Shops CrossIron Mills
Canadian Tire
Canadian Tire Multiple Locations
The Fishing Hole
The Fishing Hole Specialty Shop
Local Shops
Local Fly Shops Bow River Area
Get License River Access

Halifax

Peak: May - October

Top Fishing Spots

Halifax Waterfront Mackerel Point Pleasant Striped Bass Eastern Passage Flounder, Cod Sambro Harbour Pollock Dingle Park Flounder Chocolate Lake Brook Trout Albro Lake Chain Pickerel Bedford Basin Striped Bass Shubie Park Trout, Perch Long Lake Smallmouth
Mackerel Striped Bass Flounder Brook Trout

Fishing Stores

Canadian Tire
Canadian Tire Halifax Area
Cabela's
Cabela's Dartmouth Crossing
Walmart
Walmart Fishing Section
Local Shops
Local Bait Shops Harbourfront
NS Fishing DFO Info
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Beginner Tutorials

Learn from experienced Canadian anglers

Fishing Basics for Beginners
▶
Getting Started

Complete Beginner's Guide to Fishing

Everything you need to know to start fishing - gear, techniques, and tips for your first successful fishing trip.

The Hook and The Cook ⏱ 15:30
How to Set Up a Fishing Rod
▶
Equipment

How to Set Up Your First Fishing Rod

Step-by-step guide to assembling your rod, reel, and line. Perfect for absolute beginners.

Fish'n Canada ⏱ 12:45
Essential Fishing Knots
▶
Techniques

5 Essential Fishing Knots Every Angler Needs

Master the most important fishing knots including the improved clinch knot and Palomar knot.

Uncut Angling ⏱ 8:20
Casting Techniques
▶
Techniques

7 Tips For Alberta Anglers

Essential tips and techniques for Canadian fishing including casting, bait selection, and finding fish.

Alberta Fishing Guide ⏱ 8:45
Canadian Jam Knot
▶
Techniques

The Canadian Jam Knot

Learn to tie the famous Canadian Jam Knot - a strong and reliable knot for Canadian fishing conditions.

Knot Tying Channel ⏱ 5:30
Ice Fishing Basics
▶
Seasonal

Ice Fishing Basics For Beginners

Complete guide to ice fishing including equipment, techniques, safety, and how to get started.

Ice Fishing Guide ⏱ 12:30
How to Ice Fish
▶
Seasonal

How to Ice Fish - Beginner Ice Fishing 101

Learn ice fishing fundamentals including gear setup, finding fish under ice, and winter safety.

Ice Fishing Pro ⏱ 15:20
Ice Fishing Equipment
▶
Equipment

Ice Fishing Equipment for Beginners

Essential ice fishing gear including rods, reels, augers, and shelters for winter fishing success.

Winter Angler ⏱ 11:45
Ice Fishing for Brook Trout
▶
Species

Ice-fishing for Brook Trout: Quick Tips

Specialized techniques for targeting brook trout through the ice with proven tips and tactics.

Trout Specialist ⏱ 7:15

Common Questions

Quick answers for beginners

Yes, if you're 16 or older. Each province has its own system. Licenses cost $25-50 for residents and can be bought online or at Canadian Tire.
Dawn and dusk are prime time. Fish are more active in cooler water and lower light. Overcast days can be productive all day.
$75-150 gets you started right. Rod and reel combo: $50-100, basic tackle: $20-30, fishing line: $10-15.
Panfish (perch, bluegill, crappie) are perfect starters. They're abundant, bite readily, and don't need special gear.
Start with local conservation areas, provincial parks, and public piers. Apps like FishBrain and iFish show nearby spots with user reports. Visit local bait shops - they're goldmines of current fishing intel and often know which spots are producing.
Live worms are universal winners - nightcrawlers for larger fish, red worms for panfish. Minnows work great for walleye and bass. For lures, start with simple jigs, spinners, and spoons in silver or gold. Local bait varies by region and season.
Yes, especially for ice fishing (Dec-March). Summer fishing uses regular rods, but winter requires ice augers, tip-ups, and ice shelters. Spring and fall are great with standard gear, but pack layers - Canadian weather changes fast!
Wet your hands first to protect their slime coat. Support the fish horizontally, avoid touching gills. For catch-and-release, use barbless hooks, minimize air time, and release in calm water. Take photos quickly, then get them back home.
Limits vary by province, species, and water body. Generally: bass (4-6 per day), walleye (4-6), trout (2-5), northern pike (2-6). Always check current regulations for your specific location - they change seasonally and some waters have special rules.
Absolutely! Ice fishing is huge in Canada (Dec-March). You'll need an ice auger to drill holes, tip-ups or jigging rods, and warm shelter. Start on popular lakes where others fish - it's safer and more social. Many outfitters offer ice fishing packages for beginners.
Always tell someone your fishing plans and expected return. Wear a life jacket near deep water. Check weather forecasts and ice conditions. Carry a first aid kit, whistle, and cell phone in waterproof case. Fish with a buddy when possible, especially when starting out.
Use a sharp fillet knife, cutting board, and running water. YouTube has excellent tutorials for each species. Popular Canadian preparations: beer batter for perch, grilled trout with lemon, pickled northern pike. Start simple - fresh fish with butter, salt, and pepper is amazing.
Lakes are calmer, better for beginners, with fish near structure (fallen trees, weed beds). Rivers have current, which brings food to fish but requires different techniques. River fish are often more aggressive. Start with small lakes, then progress to rivers as skills develop.
Fish are more active before storms (low pressure) and during stable weather. Water temperature matters - fish are deeper in hot weather, shallower in spring/fall. Cloudy days often mean all-day fishing opportunities. Wind can be good (creates current and oxygen) but makes casting harder.
Using too heavy tackle, being too loud/active, not matching bait to fish species, fishing only sunny midday hours, and not checking drag settings. Also: bringing too much gear initially, not learning basic knots properly, and getting discouraged after a few fishless trips.
Start with easy-to-catch fish like bluegill using simple bobber rigs. Pack snacks, games, and keep trips short (2-3 hours max). Let them help with baiting hooks and landing fish. Many provinces offer free youth licenses and beginner programs. Make it fun, not about catching fish.
Join local fishing clubs, take guided trips, and watch Canadian fishing YouTubers like Uncut Angling. Bass Pro Shops and Cabela's offer free seminars. Online forums like FishingBC and OntarioFishing have active communities. Practice makes perfect - every trip teaches you something new.