Fishing in Northern Ontario 

can be one of life's great experiences. I have been fortunate enough in my life to have fished these trout waters for many years. I would like to share with you some of my experiences and trout fishing tips for catching what I believe is one of our greatest natural resources.

Although trout fishing may have its up's and downs with its own set of difficulties depending on the season. Make no mistake you can be very successful when fishing for trout in any season as long as you have the right technique and the right equipment.

Top Choice For Trout Fishing Gear:
Let's start with our trout fishing gear, I prefer a strong 7 to 8 foot light action rod with 6 pound test or less. Normally my configuration looks something like this I will use 4-6 pound test line as I mentioned earlier but combine that with a Fluorocarbon Leader. I attach my leader to the main line using a double uni knot, I will attach the lure to the leader using at simple clinch knot I've used since childhood that has never let me down. 

I always love my first trout fishing trip of the year usually in early May just after ice out normally to the Algonquin Park region. The trout at this time of year are easily caught closer to the surface by slow trolling with small spoons spinners or even plastics. Some of my favourite and most productive trout lure colours for spring trout fishing or trout fishing in any season for that matter would be of course the classic silver and blue this would include size range 0 or 1 Little Cleo spoons, the smallest Mepps Spinners I can never forget Williams Wobbler or the unstoppable EGB spoons of course. The brass and black stripped EGB are Algonquin Legends in my books and overall tough to beat. If I could only bring one this would be it hands down.

Regardless of the time of year there is one trout fishing tip to remember if you take anything away from this site smaller is better (at least in trout fishing that is). when it comes to trout fishing tips smaller lures equals more fish / lighter line equals more fish / lighter action rods equals more fish can you see the common denominator here.

Overkill your equipment and say goodbye to a successful fishing trip.
I see this time and time a gain year after year while fishing these waters. I see these individuals who travel to Northern Ontario in search of our great trout fishing waters and the trophy fish to be had however most will leave empty handed due to over sized equipment and quite simply lack of experience fishing in the area. I have landed very large trout using very small tackle light line and light action rods. This not only makes the experience much more enjoyable but I also believe that fishing is a sport after all and nothing is quite as exhilarating as landing your trophy with light equipment and barbless hooks.

Yes I said barbless hooks, not only will this do less harm to the fish that you do not intend to keep it also adds to the excitement of landing that much desired trout. Keeping tension on the line is the key to this style of fishing as long as you keep tension on the rod I promise you will not lose anything.

A quality Rubber Net or Mesh Trout Net will also help you land more trout and protect the fish you intend to put back. Trout are very sensitive to human contact while touching them without a proper Fishing Glove at the time seems harmless however by physically touching the trout the oils in our skin remove the protective coating allowing bacteria to enter the trout in most cases eventually causing the death of the fish.

Where And When To Fish For Trout:
Let's tackle this question season by season and began with spring time. Springtime in Northern Ontario signifies at least for me the start of a brand new trout season and thus brings with it my planning of our traditional spring trout fishing trip. The spring time is great for both experienced and novice trout fishermen alike. This also allows for a variety of tactics to be used when chasing the ever elusive trout. Unlike Lake Trout Brook Trout require the presence of bottom spring fed stream or lake beds for their eggs to hatch and survive. Brookies can be found throughout the season in these spring fed streams that keep the water temperatures low.

Spring Just After Ice Out (May & June)

Brook Trout can be taken in a variety of areas at this time of year. Rivers or streams can be very productive although keep an eye out for suckers (a fish that will gather at the mouth of rivers and streams where they enter the lake) their eggs will supply the Brookies with an abundant food source which sometimes requires you to travel further upstream.

The reason for this is that the further upstream you travel the farther from the abundant food source the brook trout will be upping your chances of a successful catch. Investing in a pair of decent ChestWaders can often make the difference between success or going home empty handed when fishing these types of Rivers.

Both Lake Trout and Brook Trout can be caught out in the open lake waters by trolling shorelines and over underwater shoals throughout the lake. There is no need to go deep as fish will be holding between the surface and 10 to 20 feet below. Speed is also a critical factor in successful trout fishing.

Many an angler has made the fatal mistake of trolling too fast, really the maximum speed should be just enough to create action in your lure oftentimes this speed will be one MPH or less. A canoe is a great vehicle for trout fishing these waters although motors make the task easier just be aware of your speed and allow your lure to soak every five minutes or so (meaning put the motor in neutral for approximately 30 seconds) letting your lure slow and flutter down. Also avoid trolling in a straight line instead opt for long S style turns. This allows your lure to increase and decrease speed triggering strikes.

Also check out the shoreline terrain as often times the landscape you see on shore will continue out and under the waters you are fishing. A great example of this is rock formations or cliffs along the shore this will often mean deep water as the cliffs will normally extend far below the waterline.

Summer Trout Tactics
Summer can be downright frustrating to an angler who is not a custom to fishing these conditions. Many believe to catch trout in the summer months the use of down riggers or long wire line is absolutely necessary but in fact could not be further from the truth besides all that heavy equipment will be working against you. During the summer months to effectively catch trout be it Brook Trout, Lake Trout or Rainbows for that matter I recommend using a........ Check out my blog listed at the bottom for all the details icluding:

Fall Trout Fishing

During the short fall season as the cooler weather allows the trout to...............................

and

The #1 Secret Trout Fishing Tip

My brother and I have used this trick for years passed down to us by our grandfather who had fished these waters since the 1940's and we always find the trout.... or maybe the trout find us its really that good. What I do a few weeks before every trip is...................

Always be mindful of local regulations and catch limits where you fish. Be sure to have your fishing licence handy as the rangers do a great job of protecting Ontario waters and this amazing resource.

Check out my blog for more great tips and I promise I'll put you on the trout!!!

Jim D Williams
Jim D Williams - About the Author:

Jimmy Williams is an avid trout fisherman who has fished the trout waters in and around the Algonquin Provincial Park area since childhood. Vist Jimmy's Trout Site for more great tips: http://www.CanadaFishingOntario.com