How to Take Fishing Trips in Thunder Bay, Canada

How to Take Fishing Trips in Thunder Bay, Canada

Sunrise Lake Ontario image by Sebastian from <a href='http://www.fotolia.com'>Fotolia.com</a>

The north Ontario city of Thunder Bay is situated along the Great Lakes region. In addition to the large waterways of the Great Lakes, there are hundreds of small, isolated lakes and creeks throughout the Thunder Bay area, many of them accessible by float plane or boat only. If you are heading to the North to do some fishing, there are some steps to getting there, knowing where to fish, and how to find charters or fishing lodges in Thunder Bay.

Instructions

Difficulty: Moderate

Things You’ll Need:
  • Current passport
  • Canadian currency
  • Fishing rod, reel, tackle
  • Rain gear
  • Rubber boots
  • Bug repellant
  • Bug netting
  • Extra layers of warm clothing
  • Hat and gloves
  • Polarized sunglasses
Step 1
Pack your current passport if traveling to Thunder Bay from the United States. Make sure your passport is not going to expire within six months of travel into Canada, as you may be turned away at the border. Determine what the going exchange rate is and exchange U.S. dollars for Canadian dollars when the exchange is in your favor. Travel with a small amount of Canadian money, such as $100 or $200, in addition to your debit or credit cards.
Step 2
Learn when the fishing season openers are for the fish you hope to land while in the Thunder Bay area. Species include walleye, northern pike, muskellunge, small and largemouth bass, and brook or lake trout. Thunder Bay along Lake Superior allows walleye, pike and bass fishing starting in April. There is an ice fishing season that begins in late December.
Step 3
Determine how many will be in your fishing party, how many days your fishing trip on Thunder Bay will be, and if you will need either a boat or air charter to get to your destination. If you wish to stay at a fishing lodge, make a list of questions to ask prior to booking.
Step 4
Ask the fishing lodge if they help get fishing licenses for guests, if there is a fishing guide or pro on staff, if there are fishing boat rentals or boats available to guests, and if there is fishing gear for you and your party to use, alleviating the need to pack your own fishing gear.
Step 5
Purchase a non-resident Ontario fishing license if your fishing lodge or guide does not provide this service. Licenses are available through the provincial website, or at sporting and fishing goods stores. You must have this license with you at all times when fishing any waters in Ontario. Failure to do so may result in heavy fines, tickets or expulsion from Canada.
Step 6
Ask your lodge if transportation to the lodge is provided if it is a fly-in or boat-in lodge along Thunder Bay. If not, ask for a recommendation for air or boat service to the lodge. Make your reservations as soon as possible.

Article Written By Eric Cedric

A former Alaskan of 20 years, Eric Cedric now resides in California. He's published in "Outside" and "Backpacker" and has written a book on life in small-town Alaska, "North by Southeast." Cedric was a professional mountain guide and backcountry expedition leader for 18 years. He worked in Russia, Iceland, Greece, Turkey and Belize. Cedric attended Syracuse University and is a private pilot.

Write for Trails.com
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