Big fish are what we’re after. Period. You hear some anglers say “hey, it’snot what I catch that’s important. It’s just about being on the water.”That’s great. And I wholeheartedly agree that time spent with family andfriends, relaxing on the lake, is priceless. But would you rather:
1. Have a fun day catching a few small fish with the people you love?Or…
1. Have an unbelievable day catching PILES of HUGE fish with the people youlove?
The second choice sounds pretty good to me, and the first choice for making it happen is in Ontario — home to some of the biggest, toughest freshwater fish in North America. Not surprising, since Ontario boasts more than 400,000 lakes, rivers and streams. Would you believe that Ontario, Canada’s largest province, contains 15% of the world’s freshwater? It’s true!
Some of my all-time biggest northern pike, muskies, walleyes, smallmouth, lake trout and crappies have come from Ontario. How do muskies up to 65 pounds and walleyes topping 22 pounds sound? They’re up there. Plus there’s incredible largemouth bass fishing, salmon and trout, panfish, whitefish…where do I stop? The point is, if you’re considering a family fishing vacation, or a trophy pursuit with a few pals, there’s no better place on earth to experience the trip of a lifetime.
So, the question is, where should you go in Ontario? I mean, it’s a big place. And since they have more lakeside resorts than anyplace else in the world, where do you begin? Well, that’s pretty easy actually. Hop on your computer and type in the GoFishInOntario website. Whoever designed this site deserves a round of applause, because it’s so easy to navigate.
When you get there, click on “Welcome to Ontario.” Here you’ll get a quick overview of what you can expect on your adventure. A section called “Fish Of Ontario” gives you a rundown of all the species swimming the waters, along with facts about that fish, provincial records and the average sizes you’ll encounter. There’s even a quick link for each type of fish that routes you to a list of lodges specializing in that species.
But the best part of the GoFishInOntario website is the “Fishing Trips” selection. This is where you begin turning your dreams into reality. You click that, then select the fish species you’re after, the type of accommodations that suit you, and the region of Ontario you want to visit. Then click “Find A Trip” and you’ll instantly see dozens of destinations tailor-made to your search, along with a brief description of each destination and what a trip costs in both American and Canadian dollars. See one you like? Click that to learn more and to find a link to that lodge’s website. Comparison shopping for a fishing trip has never been easier or more fun.
Let’s say that you’re the die-hard fisherman in your family and the others want some additional activities to enjoy. Boy are you in luck! Because it’s not only incredible fishing that makes Ontario so great. There are tons of things to do. Canoeing, kayaking, hiking, biking, shopping, dining, entertainment, museums, cosmopolitan cities, you name it. So there’s always fun waiting for anyone who wants to take a day off from fishing (even though that someone probably isn’t you).
There are many Americans who have some misconceptions about Ontario vacations. The first is that a Canadian fishing trip is expensive. Not so. In fact, they’re incredibly affordable. You’ll see that when you check out the GoFishInOntario website.
Others assume that international travel must be complicated. Again, nothing could be further from the truth. If you’re driving by land into Ontario, the border crossings are quick and easy and do not yet require a passport. Air travel does. In today’s age of security, that’s understandable. My recommendation to any sportsman or woman is to get a passport now, regardless of your future travel plans. Because you never know when an opportunity to travel out of the country might pop up.
2008 promises to be a great year. People have set new year’s resolutions for themselves. Some are keeping their resolutions. Others, maybe not. But if I could encourage anglers to set one goal for themselves, and achieve it, that goal would be to experience an Ontario fishing trip. The untouched land, pristine waters, friendly people and immense fish are things that every American should experience at least once in their lifetimes. I promise, you’ll be glad you did.
Good Fishing!
Babe Winkelman is a nationally-known outdoorsman who has taught people to fish and hunt for more than 25 years. Watch the award-winning “Good Fishing” and “Outdoor Secrets” television shows on Versus (formerly OLN), Fox SportsNet, WILD TV, WFN and many local networks. Visit the winkelman website for air times where you live.By: Babe Winkelman / Babe Winkelman Productions
