For many anglers, a fishing trip to Canada is a bucket list item. Whether fishing in Ontario, Manitoba, Saskatchewan, or other provinces, fishing north of the border brings a certain aura and feel unmatched by many fisheries across the Midwest.
Whether targeting walleye, muskie, northern pike, smallmouth bass, or lake trout there are a number of reasons that anglers can expect great fishing. There are also a number of waterbodies, resorts, lodges, and destinations to pick from. When it comes to a Canadian fishing trip, there is not a one size fits all plan, and we’ve got some important factors to consider when helping plan your trip!
What species are you looking to target?
There are a number of great fisheries in Canada, and many produce great fishing for a number of species. This is great if you’re looking to target anything that bites, but for many anglers looking to plan a trip north of the border they have a favorite fish, and they’re looking to target it.
Walleye are one of the most common species targeted across both the Midwest and likewise into Canada, and indeed walleye anglers looking to experience excellent fishing should be doing their homework on fisheries north of the border.
Muskie fishing is also incredibly popular, and many Canadian fisheries offer some of the best muskie fishing in the world. This is important to note, because anglers that have excellent walleye fisheries close to home may have minimal muskie fishing opportunities, which makes a trip to Canada that much more enticing.
The same can be said for lake trout, and while lakers are less commonly sought after than walleye and muskie, many fisheries provide an opportunity that anglers may not have close to home.
Northern pike and smallmouth bass fishing can also be excellent, and can fly under the radar as anglers target the other species mentioned above. This means that hardcore pike or smallmouth anglers may have a fantastic fishery to enjoy, and often have it all to themselves.
Identifying your target species, or multiple species, is the first step in planning a great fishing trip. Are you looking to catch walleye in the morning for a shore lunch before targeting muskie in the afternoon, or are you looking to get as many tens of thousands of casts in search of muskie as you can? These are the first questions you’ll need to answer.
Are you looking for action fishing or a fish of a lifetime?
Once you’ve identified your target species, it’s time to be realistic about what your expectations are. Yes, we’d all love to catch hundreds of 30 inch walleyes and 50 inch muskies all day, but anyone who’s fished for more than 10 minutes knows that’s not realistic.
If your goal is to catch walleye, and a lot of walleye, there are fisheries and locations that can literally provide reasonable opportunities to catch hundreds of fish a day. However, for many of these options, the majority of the fish are going to be between 12-18 inches.
There are also fisheries that anglers can go, and if they spend a week fishing hard, can reasonably expect a fish greater than 28 inches if not cracking the 30 inch mark. Yes, the magical 30 inch mark is more attainable than many anglers may expect in these situations, but the tradeoff is going to be fewer fish entering the boat.
There are of course fisheries that offer both, but again expectations need to be realistic. You may have a great numbers bite in one area, and a slower but steady bite for larger fish in another. Many fisheries can provide both, but you’re still working that same balance on a day to day basis.
What do you expect in your accommodations?
Once you’ve identified what you’re looking for in a fishery, the next steps is what you’re looking for in accommodations. This is where it’s perhaps even more important to be honest and realistic with yourself.
Fly-in fisheries are the gold standard of a peak Canadian fishing trip, but these bring logistical hurdles. Service is often minimal to nonexistent, there will be limitations on how much gear you can bring, and the fact is you will be in a highly remote area. If that’s something you’re comfortable with, it’s something to consider. If any of these items give you pause, it’s time to look at your other options.
Drive-in fisheries, which are far more common, can still offer incredible fishing. The largest, most well known destination waters all offer drive-in options, and in many situations this is where the quality lodges and resorts come into play.
Many of these offer different plans, with an “American Plan” common throughout the industry. This often includes lodging, housekeeping to an extent, and meal plans. Meal plans can range from an evening supper plan, to all three meals provided. There will be variations throughout businesses, but the common theme remains.
Individuals looking to be a bit more independent can also find local hotels, cabins, or other amenities as well. Many resorts and lodges also offer cheaper plans that include just a cabin or room where anglers will be more independent. Every plan is a bit different, which is why it’s important to be realistic with your expectation in amenities and to go from there.
Are you looking to stay connected or get off the grid?
Connectivity is one of the most overlooked and underappreciated amenities in a trip. Many anglers will, at face value, embrace being away from their phones for a fishing trip. However, when the time comes and connecting with family, friends, or work is difficult to impossible it can quickly tank a trip.
Cell phone service has continued to expand and improve across Canada, but many fisheries deep in the north woods still offer minimal to no cell phone coverage. Likewise, wifi options are available at most lodges and resorts, but the quality of that coverage can vary dramatically.
Generally speaking, the closer to towns and larger the waterbody, the better the cell service is going to be. Likewise, an honest conversation with a resort or lodge can give a good understanding of what to expect in their wifi. It’s often overlooked, but don’t count out the importance of connectivity.
What do you plan to bring for gear?
Another overlooked aspect of planning a Canadian fishing trip is what to pack and expect in gear. Many resorts and lodges offer camp boats for rent, and while they may not be the quality many anglers are accustomed to at home, there’s a great value in utilizing them.
Canadian fishing trips for many anglers across the Midwest means hundreds, if not into the thousands, of miles for anglers. A 1,000 mile trip is a lot of wear and tear on your trailer, and being that far from home and having an issue is not what makes a great vacation.
Renting and utilizing a camp boat alleviates this concern, and means your boat will be ready and waiting for you when you arrive. Finding an accessible or quality boat ramp is also a non-issue, and if you do experience a mechanical issue there’s dock hands ready to assist with a quick repair or provide another boat to utilize.
The comfort level of not having to trailer for hundreds of miles, not having to launch in unfamiliar waters, and having a pre-rigged and ready to go boat waiting often outweighs trailering your own boat. Again, an honest thought process similar to what you’re looking for in amenities will make the reality of your trip that much greater.
This also means that you won’t be bringing every piece of tackle and every fishing rod you own. Fly-in fishing trips especially require being compact. Focusing on a select favorite rod for each presentation, or a rod that can handle a number of presentations, with a smaller, but quality selection of gear is the way to go when packing for your Canadian fishing trip.
What is your comfort and skill level?
The final step to planning your fishing trip is being honest with your skills and comfort level. Targeting muskies, having never specified targeted muskies before, is not going to be the recipe for success.
Likewise, many Canadian fisheries feature hazards such as submerged rock piles, reefs, points, and very shallow connecting creeks that can make navigation challenging. All of these are elements to consider both when selecting where to go, and planning your trip.
Hiring a guide, whether it’s for your entire time or the first day or two, could be a worthwhile investment. This will ensure you’re fishing the most productive areas, with the most productive techniques, and doing so safely. It’s also a great way to learn new tips and tricks that will make you a better angler as a whole.
For others a guide might not be necessary, but working through a resort or lodge that can provide general guidance on where to focus efforts and navigational safety can also be key. This is another benefit of using a camp boat, as hazard areas and travel corridors may already be marked.
All of these elements need to be considered with a high degree of honesty in your expectations, abilities, and desires. Fortunately, when all of these factors are identified, and used to plan the elements of your trip, you’re likely going to have the Canadian fishing vacation you’ve been dreaming about.
