The signs of spring always grab our attention.
We’re excited by the arrival of the familiar birds, butterflies, and fish that we see each summer. Perhaps it’s simply because we yearn for the end of winter. Or maybe it’s the feeling that a good friend has returned from a long vacation down south.
What we neglect to notice sometimes though, is the beauty of their departure.
The air gets nippy, the leaves start to change, and keen anglers start packing up their gear for a northern escape.
Itching for some fall fishing in northeastern Ontario? Add these seven parks to your list:
Today’s post comes from James Burns, a conservation officer and former Quetico Provincial Park interior ranger.
Quetico Provincial Park is a cool place for a lot of reasons.
If you’re reading this, you probably know that already.
But this article is about something that may not be appreciated by those of you who are already here for the fishing.
So listen up, fish nerds, because I’m going to share some insider info.
Continue reading Quetico’s trout ponds: hidden in plain sight
Canada’s Boreal Forest Region stretches from the edge of the Yukon in the north, down and across the country all of the way to Newfoundland and Labrador.
Ecologically rich and diverse, the boreal forest ecosystem captures the imagination with its towering trees, shimmering lakes, and breathtaking scenery.
It can be hard to choose where to start exploring a landscape this expansive. But for travelers looking for a quintessential boreal experience, Nagagamisis is hard to beat.
Here are 5 reasons why this hidden gem is worth the trek!
Continue reading 5 reasons to visit Nagagamisis Provincial Park
Today’s post comes from year-round multispecies angler and writer Ashley Rae of SheLovesToFish.com.
Fishing is a wonderful year-round activity that can be enjoyed at any age.
It’s a sport that doesn’t require much: you can get by with some basic tackle and fish from shore, or you can dive right in gearing-up with all the latest and greatest equipment and watercraft.
When introducing newcomers to the sport, there are a few key points to keep in mind that will ensure an enjoyable and memorable experience for all.
Continue reading 7 tips for introducing newcomers to fishing
Fishing is an iconic Canadian pastime. There’s nothing like spending the day by the water with your friends and family, casting a line and enjoying the great outdoors.
But did you know you can get more than a killer catch from a day of fishing? Fishing actually has benefits for your physical and mental health.
Here are a few ways fishing can improve your overall well-being.
Today’s post comes from James Burns, a Conservation Officer, and former Quetico Park Interior Ranger from 2000-2013.
If the water is too cold for you to look forward to a deep dive in the lake after a long portage, that means the water is too cold for most species of fish in Quetico Provincial Park’s lakes as well.
Some resilient fish thrive in icy cold-water year-round, like the Lake Trout. The majority of Quetico’s fish, including Walleye, Northern Pike, and Smallmouth Bass, prefer water the same temperature as you or me: a nice, even 20 degrees Celsius (or 68 Fahrenheit).
But what do most sensible fish do when the ice has come off, and the temperature in most of the lake is a fin-shriveling 4 to 17 Celsius?
Continue reading Muddying the water for Quetico’s spring Walleye
Ontario is home to more than 250,000 lakes, thousands of kilometres of streams and rivers, and more than 150 species of fish.
There are endless fishing opportunities at Ontario Parks, and dropping a line is a great way to connect with and learn about nature.
From Lake Trout to Brook Trout, Walleye to Northern Pike, we’ve got some of the best recreational fishing opportunities in the world!
But before you head out to hook a big one, let’s talk about some of the dos and don’ts of using live bait in Ontario Parks:
Continue reading The dos and don’ts of using live bait in provincial parks
Today’s post comes from year-round multispecies angler and writer, Ashley Rae, of SheLovesToFish.com.
I’ve previously only had the opportunity to explore Lake Simcoe a handful of times.
This included a couple of open water outings and an afternoon on the ice while passing through the area a few years back.
Spending more time on this incredible fishery is something that’s been on my radar for some time, and it was exciting to finally get a proper opportunity to target perch through the ice on Simcoe!
Today’s post comes from Quetico Superintendent Trevor Gibb.
Quetico Provincial Park is primarily known for its world class backcountry canoeing opportunities.
However, once the lakes freeze and snow blankets the forest, the park transforms into a wilderness winter wonderland.
