Fishing Overview for Canada

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• Alberta

  In Canada’s Alberta you can fish a wide range of waters from Rocky Mountain streams to prairie lakes and large reservoirs, with great opportunities for fly fishing, spin fishing, trolling and ice fishing. Mountain rivers and clear alpine lakes are known for rainbow trout, brown trout, cutthroat trout and arctic grayling, while deeper lakes produce lake trout and kokanee. Prairie and reservoir fisheries commonly hold walleye, northern pike, smallmouth bass and lake whitefish, and many anglers chase trophy fish on rivers like the Bow River. Seasonal fishing changes from spring runoff in mountain streams to warm‑water action on lakes in summer and reliable ice fishing in winter, giving anglers year‑round options.

• British Columbia

  British Columbia is a top destination for recreational fishing, offering productive rivers, lakes and a rich Pacific coast. Anglers commonly pursue Pacific salmon — Chinook, Coho, Sockeye, Pink and Chum — as well as sea‑run and resident steelhead, rainbow trout, cutthroat trout and char; large white sturgeon attract trophy seekers in major rivers, while offshore anglers target halibut, lingcod and rockfish.

• Manitoba

  Manitoba offers excellent freshwater fishing across thousands of lakes and rivers, from the southern prairies and Lake Winnipeg to the remote northern wilderness. Anglers commonly target trophy walleye, powerful northern pike, deep-water lake trout, native brook trout and stocked rainbow trout, along with abundant yellow perch, smallmouth bass and largemouth bass. Other notable species include lake whitefish and seasonal burbot. Fishing methods range from shore and boat casting to trolling, jigging, fly fishing and winter ice fishing, so anglers can enjoy both calm river wading and adventurous northern lake trips. Manitoba’s variety of waters and strong populations make it a top destination for recreational anglers seeking diverse species and memorable catches.

• New Brunswick

  New Brunswick is a top destination for recreational fishing, with productive rivers, lakes and rugged coastlines that suit anglers of all styles. Inland waters are known for quality brook trout (speckled trout), brown trout, walleye, northern pike and smallmouth bass, while the Miramichi and Restigouche rivers are famous for Atlantic runs of Atlantic salmon and sea-run trout. Along the coast and in estuaries you can also find striped bass and other saltwater species, making both fly fishing and spin casting productive options from shore or boat. Overall, New Brunswick offers varied water types and species for anglers seeking river, lake or coastal experiences.

• Newfoundland and Labrador

  Newfoundland and Labrador offers excellent recreational fishing across its rugged coastline and clear inland rivers and lakes. Saltwater anglers commonly target Atlantic cod, haddock, pollock, halibut and seasonal mackerel from boats or the shore, while freshwater anglers pursue Atlantic salmon, brook trout, Arctic char and lake trout. Popular techniques include fly fishing for salmon and trout, jigging for groundfish, and a mix of boat and shore fishing, with some inland areas offering ice fishing in winter. The region is known for strong runs and the chance of trophy fish throughout the open-water seasons.

• Northwest Territories

  The Northwest Territories offers vast, remote freshwater angling across thousands of lakes and rivers, from roadside access to fly‑in lodges; top waters include the Mackenzie River system, Great Slave Lake, Great Bear Lake, and countless backcountry lakes. Key species are lake trout, northern pike, walleye, arctic grayling, inconnu, whitefish, and various char. Anglers use a range of techniques—fly fishing, spin casting, trolling, and ice fishing—and can expect clear water, long summer daylight, and strong chances for trophy fish in a wild northern setting.

• Nova Scotia

  Nova Scotia offers varied recreational fishing in both freshwater and saltwater settings, from forested rivers and lakes to exposed Atlantic coastlines. Key species include river and lake targets like Atlantic salmon, native brook trout and stocked rainbow or brown trout, coastal favorites such as striped bass and mackerel, and offshore trophies like bluefin tuna and Atlantic cod. Anglers pursue fish by fly fishing, shore casting, boat trips for inshore species, and trolling or deepwater trips for pelagics, with productive estuaries and diverse seasons offering opportunities for both light-tackle outings and big-game adventures.

• Nunavut

  Nunavut, Canada offers remote, wild recreational fishing with outstanding chances for Arctic char, large lake trout, northern pike and Arctic grayling in clear tundra rivers and lakes, while coastal waters can produce sea-run char, cod and deepwater species like Greenland halibut. Anglers visit for trophy-sized fish, long summer daylight and dramatic scenery, using methods such as fly fishing, spin casting, and ice fishing depending on the season and water type. Trips are often remote and accessed by boat or floatplane, making the focus on pure wilderness fishing and species-rich waters.

• Ontario

  Ontario offers world-class recreational fishing across thousands of lakes and long rivers, from the Great Lakes shoreline to remote Northern Ontario backcountry. Anglers target key species such as walleye, northern pike, smallmouth bass, largemouth bass, lake trout, brown trout, rainbow trout, Chinook and coho salmon, muskellunge, and abundant yellow perch and panfish. You can enjoy shore fishing, boat trips into remote lakes, fly fishing for trout and smallmouth, and winter ice fishing for walleye and perch, with options for both short day trips and extended wilderness excursions.

• Prince Edward Island

  Prince Edward Island is a compact, coastal fishing destination with sheltered bays, estuaries and nearby offshore grounds that suit a wide range of angling styles; for recreational fishing you’ll find productive saltwater shore and boat opportunities for striped bass in spring and early summer, plentiful schools of Atlantic mackerel, and blanketing runs of herring that attract predators, while inshore and offshore trips target groundfish like Atlantic cod, pollock and seasonal big-game like bluefin tuna in late summer and fall; inland waters and small streams offer brook trout, brown trout and smallmouth bass, making the island a versatile spot for light-tackle, jigging, trolling and fly anglers alike.

• Quebec

  Quebec offers diverse recreational fishing across rivers, lakes and coastal waters, from the St. Lawrence and Gaspé Peninsula to inland lake country and the far north; popular methods include fly fishing, trolling and ice fishing. Key freshwater species are brook trout and lake trout in clear lakes, wild Atlantic salmon and stocked brown trout in rivers, plus northern pike, walleye, smallmouth bass, largemouth bass, yellow perch and occasional muskellunge in larger systems. Coastal and estuarine fishing can produce striped bass, Atlantic cod and offshore opportunities for big pelagics like bluefin tuna, while northern waters also support Arctic char and lake whitefish, and major rivers hold notable runs of lake sturgeon.

• Saskatchewan

  Saskatchewan in Canada is a top destination for recreational freshwater fishing and angling, with thousands of lakes and winding rivers offering year‑round opportunities. Key species include walleye and northern pike in prairie lakes and reservoirs, trophy lake trout and lake sturgeon in deeper northern waters, and pockets of rainbow trout, brown trout, brook trout and Arctic grayling in clearer streams. You can enjoy productive boat and shore trips for yellow perch and sauger, plus intense winter ice fishing on frozen lakes.

• Yukon

  The Yukon offers expansive recreational fishing across clear rivers, glacial lakes and remote wilderness waters, with anglers commonly targeting native species like Arctic grayling, northern pike, lake trout and Arctic char, while coastal and river systems also host migrating salmon (including Chinook and coho). Popular approaches include fly-fishing for trout and grayling, casting for pike from shore or boat, float trips into backcountry lakes for trophy lake trout, and ice fishing in winter, all set against dramatic scenery and long summer daylight that favor long days on the water.