Hunting and fishing guides and outfitters in Ontario

What hunting and fishing look like in Ontario

Southern Ontario is farmland, hardwood bush and the shores of the Great Lakes. North of that, the Canadian Shield takes over: granite, pine and spruce, and lakes as far as you can fly. Most guided trips happen in the central and northern parts of the province, from cottage country to the far northwest.

Walleye and northern pike are the backbone of northern fishing, and many anglers come for a shore lunch of fresh walleye. Muskellunge (muskie) draws specialists to a handful of famous waters, smallmouth bass is a summer favourite, and lake trout and brook trout live in the colder, clearer lakes and rivers.

On the hunting side, moose and black bear are the main big game in the north. White-tailed deer and wild turkey are hunted mostly in the south and centre, and ducks, geese and grouse round out the fall.

How lodges and outfitters work

Ontario's outfitters range from full-service lodges with guides, boats and meals to outpost camps, where you get a cabin, a boat and motor on a remote lake and cook for yourself. Some fishing guides work by the day out of a town or marina and simply meet you at the launch.

For hunting, outfitters often hold the areas and allocations that make a hunt possible for a visitor. Non-resident hunters, especially for black bear and moose, generally hunt through a licensed outfitter. Check the current rules for your situation and ask the outfitter what applies.

Access: drive-to or fly-in

Many lodges in central and northwestern Ontario are drive-to, often at the end of a long highway and a stretch of gravel. Some are boat-in only, a short run across a big lake from the landing.

The classic northern trip is fly-in: a floatplane takes you to a lake that no road reaches, where the fishing pressure is light. Fly-in trips need more planning, so ask about weight limits, what gear is provided and the plan if weather holds the plane.

What to check before booking

Ontario sells its own fishing and hunting licences, and you generally need an Outdoors Card as well. Non-resident and resident rules differ, and some waters have special limits or catch-and-release rules.

• Read the province's current fishing and hunting regulations for the zone you will visit
• Ask whether licences are included or sold at the lodge
• For a fly-in, confirm what the camp supplies: boat, fuel, electronics, bedding
• For a hunt, ask about success, meat care and getting your game home

Finding an Ontario guide with GuideHunter

In GuideHunter, zoom the map on Ontario and filter by fishing or hunting, then pick a species such as walleye, muskellunge or moose. Teal pins are fishing guides, orange pins are hunting, and gold pins offer both. Each offer shows what is included, the region and a price per person from, or on request.

Frequently asked questions