Toronto's Best Fishing Locations

Helping you find the best spot to get your next big fish!

Welcome to Fishing Toronto

Toronto has amazing fishing and ice fishing opportunities in the different bays, rivers and ponds in the Toronto area. Whether you are close to these areas or not, many of these are accessible via public transit. With some fish open year round, fishing is one of the best things to do in Toronto with great fishing action available without the need for a boat. A fishing license is not required for those under the age of eighteen years old or above the age of sixty four. Fishing is a great activity for kids to enjoy especially in highly populated bodies of water in Toronto. Some locations have very high populations of sunfish and bluegill such as Grenadier Pond, which makes more enjoyable fishing for children.

Fly fishing during certain seasons of the year can produce a trophy trout during peak seasons in certain rivers and streams. Trout travel upstream to search for spawning areas. At this time hundreds of trout travel from Lake Ontario and during their passage through these rivers. Anglers have most luck either fly fishing or using spinners and spoons. Brown trout, lake trout and rainbow trout are the most common fish to catch through the different rivers of Toronto.

Toronto has ten different great fishing locations that have great action for a majority of the year and some others like Frenchman’s Bay, where ice fishing is common where anglers search for a trophy walleye due to the hot water that is omitted from the Pickering powerplant. Select your desired fishing location above to find out more information about the types of fish that are in each location. Also fishing tips for what bait to use can be found in our Fishing Gear section.

Fishing Spots in Toronto

Toronto has thirteen great fishing locations that have great action for a majority of the year. Frenchman’s bay is one of the best fishing spots near Toronto located just outside of the city. When searching for where to fish in Toronto, view the list below

Fish Profiles

Salmon

Pike

Carp

More Fish

Salmon Fishing Toronto

Fishing for salmon in Toronto is amazing with both chinook and coho salmon entering the streams and rivers. They enter the Humber River, Duffins Creek and Rouge River in search of perfect spawning locations up the river. They try and find spots that provide protection and have a limited amount of water flow to reduce the risk of their eggs getting washed into Lake Ontario. At this time thousands of salmon will enter the river giving anglers and amazing chance to easily catch their daily limit of salmon. After the ice thaws and the spawn is complete the fish travel back to Lake Ontario. The last of the fish enter Lake Ontario in late May.

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Recommended Lures for Salmon:

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Pike Fishing Toronto

In Toronto there is a healthy pike population in almost every body of water, with some pike reaching up to fifteen pounds. In most of these areas they are at the top of the food chain with the exception of when some seasonal fish move into the rivers in search of spawning areas. Pike fishing is excellent throughout the year, as they can be caught from the shore at many of the Toronto fishing hotspots. Pike put up an excellent fight and are safe to keep within limit. Be sure to know the limits and open season to ensure that the ecosystems aren’t disturbed. In places such as Grenadier Pond, pike have nearly been completely fished out of their habitat, which has significantly decreased the number of predators in this area. There now is an abundance of sunfish and a few bass left, which makes sunfish population control non-existent.

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Recommended Lures for Pike:

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Carp Fishing Toronto

Carp are abundant in almost every body of water in the GTA. This is due to them not being sensitive to pollution. They can reach up to twenty pounds in certain locations and can put up a fair fight. Best carp fishing spots are, Duffins Creek Marsh, Frenchman’s Bay and Marie Curtis Park in the west end. Colonel Samuel Smith Park has some of the biggest carp, however they are difficult to land due to the height between the angler and the water in most fishing spots around the park.

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Recommended Lures for Salmon:

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More Fish Profiles

Once you throw that perfect cast, you can catch one of many varieties of fish in the GTA waters. From bottom feeders to a spunky bass putting up a bit of a fight, you'll surely enjoy your time on the water.

Click on one of the fish below to learn more about their habitat in the Greater Toronto Area.

Find the best lure to land that BIG catch!

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Fishing Lures

When looking to find out which lures will be effective on which fish visit our fishing lures page. There you will find a review of each lure and which type of fish will most likely strike it. As well, a few tips and techniques that will help you catch that huge bass you are targeting in Toronto. There are also a couple of other great items their such as the rubber net and inflatable canoe that will give you additional fishing opportunities.

Fishing Lake Simcoe

If you are willing to travel, Cook’s Bay is just a short drive up the 404 highway. Lake Simcoe has mostly the same types of fish as Toronto waters, but has a healthier bass, perch and crappie population. Lake Simcoe is also known to have jumbo perch which reach up to almost two pounds. Lake Simcoe also has an abundant amount of boat launches all around the lake.

Fishing Regulations

Although Toronto does have amazing fishing opportunities, be sure to check and see which fish are open in each zone prior to fishing. It is important to follow the regulations to ensure together we can preserve the fishing in Toronto for years to come. To view which seasonal fish are open and the limits to keeping these fish please refer to the Recreational Fishing Regulations Summary.