Fish
‘The best rainbow trout fishing in the world is in the rapids of the Canadian Soo.’ — Ernest Hemingway
A century after the literary giant and angling enthusiast Hemingway gushed about the St. Marys Rapids, Sault Ste. Marie remains one of the best places to fish in Ontario. You can fish in Sault Ste. Marie year-round, with great opportunities for fly-fishing, spin-casting, bait-fishing, wade-fishing, boat-fishing and ice fishing. Experience high-caliber fishing in the legendary St. Marys Rapids, which provide world-class salmon fishing in the heart of downtown. Meanwhile, you can target Canada’s most sought after species (including trout, walleye, whitefish and northern pike) in the numerous lakes and rivers in the Algoma Region all year long.
The St. Marys River is legendary for its annual runs of Steelhead and Atlantic Salmon. Located in the heart of the Great Lakes where Lake Superior flows to Lake Huron, this historic fishery is accessible year-round to flyfishers and spincasters with the appropriate wading gear. Dedicated fishing platforms on the downtown boardwalk make the river’s amazing fishery accessible to families and less adventurous anglers as well.
A short drive north up the Trans Canada Highway takes you to Lake Superior. There are countless free-flowing rivers and hundred of inland lakes to explore in and around Lake Superior Provincial Park, with many great Ontario fishing destinations for Lake Trout and Brook Trout available along the Highway 17 North corridor. Experienced Sault Ste. Marie fishing guides and outfitters will take you to the best spots, and hotels can help make your fishing vacation complete with indoor storage and lunches to go. Click here for information on obtaining an Ontario fishing licence.
Fishing Inspiration
Our Fishing Guides
Sault Ste. Marie fishing guides are among the best in North America. Local experts include bass tournament champions with extensive knowledge of Algoma rivers and lakes, guides featured on television series, and expert pros with decades of experience fishing the rapids. Choose an Ontario fishing guide to get the most out of your Sault Ste. Marie fishing trip.
Clear Your GEar
Improperly discarded fishing line can last in the environment for up to 600 years and is the leading cause of entanglement issues for people, property & wildlife. This program provides fishing line receptacles at the Sault Ste. Marie Canal and Whitefish Island, helping anglers responsibly dispose of waste fishing lines.
Supported by local partners including Parks Canada, Tourism Sault Ste. Marie, Batchewana First Nation and the City of Sault Ste. Marie Green Initiatives Fund, Clear Your Gear ensures the protection of waterways and wildlife, promoting sustainable tourism for future generations.
Fishing Outfitters
Whether you’re looking to pick up live bait, replenishing your tackle box, searching for quality hand-tied flies with local success, or seeking fishing guide services, these Sault Ste. Marie fishing outfitters will make your experience even more memorable.
