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:
Missinaibi Provincial Park
Closes September 18, 2022
Missinaibi Lake is huge: 40 km long with another bay that’s 20 km long – that’s a lot of fishable water!
You’ll find stellar Whitefish, Walleye and Northern Pike fishing. Lake Trout can be caught with down riggers (and there are some nice ones in there!).
The lake is remote for one with road access by an 80 km timber road from Chapleau, which ends at the Barclay Bay campground (sites are first come, first served, with lots of availability in the fall). Anglers love the large dock system for boats, and availability of boat rentals.
Missinaibi’s campsites can be reserved online or by calling 1-888-668-7275.
Finlayson Point Provincial Park
Closes September 25, 2022
Finlayson Point lies just south of the Village of Temagami, sharing shoreline and part of the Lake Temagami Skyline Preserve, a protected ring of pine forest that surrounds Lake Temagami.
Lake Temagami is so large and aquatically diverse that the species range is huge!
Lake Trout, Northern Pike, Walleye and Yellow Perch, Lake Whitefish, and Small-mouth Bass all swim its waters.
The park’s boat basin provides dockage for boaters and anglers who want to take advantage of Finlayson Point’s location on scenic and fish-filled Lake Temagami.
After Labour Day, Finlayson Point’s campsites (except the shoreline cabin) are first come, first served.
Nagagamisis Provincial Park
Closes September 25, 2022
While in-the-know anglers return year after year for great Walleye, Northern Pike and Yellow Perch, Nagagamisis is a pretty quiet park.
Park staff know what the anglers know, and have made it a good campground for the fishing crowd — the park’s day use area includes a boat launch to access the 15-km-long lake, a dock for loading, a fish cleaning station, and a smoker to smoke and preserve your fish.
North of the park lie a string of cold water lakes, easily accessible for motorboats and anglers looking for Lake Trout. A number of cold water streams also hold trout. The park and lake are surrounded by boreal forest, and the lake’s name means “lake with fine sandy shores” in Cree.
After Labour Day, Nagagamisis’ campsites are first come, first served.
Wakami Lake Provincial Park
Closes September 25, 2022
Wakami Lake Provincial Park is famous for its Walleye fishing.
The park has a quiet, rustic campground off the beaten path (meaning there’s not much competition for fishing, making it a favourite of Ontario Parks staff who like to fish).
The campground offers waterfront sites, good docking facilities, and boat rentals.
Wakami Lake’s campsites can be reserved online or by calling 1-888-668-7275.
Mississagi Provincial Park
Closes October 2, 2022
If you like trout fishing, this is the spot. Mississagi Provincial Park and surrounding area are filled with pristine trout lakes and streams, with good fishing opportunities for lake trout and brook trout.
Lake Trout can be found in the park’s two biggest lakes – Flack and Semiwite. The park has a boat launch on each lake, and the campground on Semiwite Lake has a dock a short walk from the campsites.
Helenbar Lake is like having your very own trout lake in the wilderness. Brook Trout are found in this semi-remote lake reached by a short trail. Motor boats are not permitted on Helenbar and there is no road access. Canoes can be rented to access the lake.
Mississagi also has some of the best hiking trails between Killarney and Lake Superior, with spectacular views from the many lookouts, particularly in the fall.
**Please check with park staff for current status of hiking trails**
After Labour Day, Mississagi’s campsites are first come, first served.
Sturgeon Bay Provincial Park
Closes October 11, 2022
Shawanaga Bay, a huge inlet reaching inland from Georgian Bay, boasts hundreds of islands and lots of underwater structure that fish like to hang out around. Anglers routinely reel in bass, pike, walleye and muskie.
The park has a full-service campground, especially handy in the fall (when fishing here is just that little bit better). The park also has several cabins for cozy camping when the temperature drops.
Sturgeon Bay’s campsites can be reserved online or by calling 1-888-668-7275.
The Massasauga Provincial Park
Closes October 23, 2022
The Massasauga Provincial Park occupies the section of the Thirty Thousand Islands from Parry Sound south to the Moon River, hallowed waters for anglers.
You’ll find Small- and Large-mouth Bass, Lunker Walleye, Northern Pike, and fabled muskie fishing (Moon Bay is where the Canadian record Muskie was caught).
We recommend fall for this fishing trip, after the pleasure boating and paddling is done for the season. Prefer to car camp? Oastler Lake Provincial Park is just up the road from the access to Georgian Bay through The Massasauga, and Killbear Provincial Park has good access to Georgian Bay itself and this area,
The Massasauga’s campsites can be reserved online or by calling 1-888-668-7275.
Ready to hit the road? Don’t forget to pack:
- the 2022 Ontario Fishing Regulations Summary
- your fishing licence
- clothes that’ll keep you warm (think: layers) in the nippy autumn weather. Don’t forget a hat and gloves
- safety gear, including a lifejacket or PFD
Before heading out, please review our water safety tips. It could save a life.