Your first guided fishing trip: what to expect

Fishing 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.

Permits and rules come first

In Canada, you generally need a fishing licence from the province where you fish, and some waters or species call for extra permits, such as salmon rivers or certain parks and reserves. Catch limits, size limits, seasons, bait rules and barbless hook requirements vary by province, by zone and sometimes by lake, and they change from year to year.

Check the official fishing regulations of the province before you go, and ask your guide which permits are needed for the waters you will fish. Some outfitters sell licences on site; others expect you to arrive with yours. Non-residents usually buy a different licence than residents.

Choosing the right kind of trip

Guided fishing comes in many forms. A half-day or full-day outing with a local guide is a good first step and needs little planning. A few days at an outfitter on a lake, with a cabin and a boat, lets you fish morning and evening when the fish are most active. A fly-in trip to a remote lake is a bigger commitment, but it offers quiet water far from roads.

Then pick the species. Walleye and northern pike are classic first fish in Québec and Ontario, and they are good eating. Brook trout and lake trout often mean cooler, clearer water and lighter gear. Atlantic salmon is a fly-fishing world of its own, and ice fishing is a winter outing in a heated shack. Smallmouth bass and muskellunge appeal to anglers who like a fight.

A typical day on the water

Many days start early, with breakfast and a short boat ride to the first spot. The guide reads the weather, the wind and the water temperature to decide where to go, then moves the boat as needed during the day. Expect to try several techniques, such as jigging, trolling, casting or drifting with bait, depending on the species and the rules.

Shore lunch is a tradition on many Canadian guided trips: the guide lands on an island or a point and cooks part of the morning's catch over a fire or a stove. Ask whether it is included. Afternoons can be slower, and evenings often bring fish back to the surface. A full day on a boat is tiring, so do not hesitate to say when you need a break.

What your guide does

A guide finds the fish, provides or rigs the gear, shows you how to cast, set the hook and play a fish, nets it and helps you unhook it properly. On a first trip, a patient guide who explains why they choose a spot or a lure will teach you more than a season of fishing alone.

The guide also knows the local regulations, including what can be kept and what must be released. If you want to keep fish, ask how they are cleaned, frozen and packed for the trip home, and how many fish you are allowed to have in your possession.

Safety on the water

Wear your life jacket or personal flotation device in the boat, not just keep it nearby. Canadian lakes can be cold even in summer, and wind can raise waves quickly on big water. Follow the guide's instructions when moving in the boat, landing on shore and handling hooks and knives.

Bring sun protection, because the reflection off the water is strong, and drink plenty of water. Tell your guide about any medical condition or allergy, and keep any medication with you in a waterproof bag. In winter, ice fishing should only be done on ice that the guide has checked.

What to bring

Ask your guide what gear is supplied. Many provide rods, reels and tackle, but some anglers prefer to bring their own.

Your fishing licence and any special permits
A good rain jacket and pants, even if the forecast is clear
Layered clothing, a warm hat and gloves for early mornings
Polarized sunglasses, a cap and sunscreen
Insect repellent and a head net in black fly season
A small waterproof bag for your phone, documents and medication
Your own rod and favourite lures, if the guide agrees
A cooler and freezer bags if you plan to keep fish

Tipping and keeping it going

As with hunting guides, tipping a fishing guide in Canada is customary when you are happy with the day. The amount depends on the length of the trip and the service; if you are unsure, ask the outfitter what is usual.

Most people come back from a first guided trip with new knots, new spots and a real taste for it. When you are ready to plan yours, GuideHunter lets you filter fishing guides by species, from walleye to brook trout to ice fishing, and see how far each one is from you.