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Bass Fishing in Ontario, Canada

Ontario is home to some of the best smallmouth bass fishing areas. The Great Lakes, the St. Lawrence River, Lake Nipissing, and other Northern areas are renowned for smallmouth bass. It pays to be prepared, get the facts before venturing out. Some areas are catch and release only, other areas are only available by plane, so be sure to know the lake, the rules, and the sizes of fish generally found. Most lodges will provide you with a map of the area, a list of the hotspots, and have experienced bass anglers on staff to answer any questions. The smallmouth bass survives best in temperatures from 60 to 70 degrees Fahrenheit, so ask what the average water temperatures are for the time of year of your trip. Smallmouth bass are generally found near the bottom of a clear or rocky area of water. Unlike largemouth bass, they prefer areas with no brush, weeds, or little vegetation. As a result, avoid areas with docks, weeds, or shallow waters. In addition, the fish are usually in packs based on size, so if you are catching smaller bass, you may want to change your area. In terms of bait, both real and artificial baits have been used with great success. Typical bait include, minnows, nightcrawlers, crayfish, leeches, plastic worms, plastic grubs, or plastic craws. It is advisable to bring a variety of bait and experiment with what works best. Different baits are effective at different times of the season, or depending on the pack. Ontario is a great place for smallmouth bass fishing, be prepared, and have fun!