Guided fishing: a guide for every fish
A guide knows where the fish hold for the season, the hour and the weather. They often supply the boat and the gear, and save you days of searching.
Choose your fish
WalleyeWalleye is the fish many Canadians grew up chasing, and a good guide knows which reef, point or weed edge is holding fish today. Here is what a guided walleye trip looks like and how to pick the right outfitter.Northern pikeNorthern pike hit hard, fight hard and live in some of the wildest water in the country. A guide puts you on the big ones and shows you how to handle a fish full of sharp teeth.Brook troutBrook trout, often called speckled trout, live in cold, clean lakes and rivers across Québec and eastern Canada. A guide or outfitter gives you access to good water and shows you how to fish it, with a fly rod or light spinning gear.Lake troutLake trout live in deep, cold, clear lakes and can grow very large and very old. Finding them in open water takes knowledge and the right gear, which is exactly what a guide brings.Atlantic salmonAtlantic salmon fishing is fly fishing on big, clear rivers, and it has its own rules and traditions. A guide who knows the river, its pools and how access works is often the difference between a long cast and a fish on.Smallmouth bassPound for pound, smallmouth bass are among the hardest-fighting fish in fresh water, with jumps and runs that bend light tackle. A guide helps you find them on rocky structure and choose the right lure for the day.MuskellungeMusky is called the fish of 10,000 casts for a reason: it is rare, wary and huge. Going with a guide who knows where the big fish live is the surest way to shorten the wait.Ice fishingIce fishing is one of the easiest ways to start fishing in winter, especially when someone else checks the ice, drills the holes and heats the shack. Here is what a guided ice fishing day looks like and how to pick an outfitter.
On GuideHunter's map, pick "Fishing", then the species: the map keeps only the guides who offer it. Each offer says what's included (boat, gear, lodging, meals), the region and the price per person when the guide gives it.
Fishing licences, seasons and catch limits depend on the province and the water body. Check the official regulations, and ask your guide what applies where they take you.
Tips to choose well
How to choose a hunting or fishing guideA good guide can turn a first trip into a lasting habit, and a poor fit can turn it into an expensive weekend in the rain. Here is what to look at, and what to ask, before you send a deposit.Read Your first guided hunt: what to expectA first guided hunt is a great way to learn from someone who knows the land and the animals. Knowing what happens before, during and after the trip lets you relax and enjoy it.Read Your first guided fishing trip: what to expectFishing with a guide is the fastest way to learn a lake or a river, and often the most relaxing way to spend a few days on the water. Here is how a guided trip usually goes, from the permit to the fish fry.Read