Fishing in Algonquin Park

Algonquin Park has over 1,500 lakes, 1,200 kilometres of streams, and countless smaller ponds and bogs, and we have recorded 54 different species of fish in the Park.

Why is Algonquin Park world-famous for its Brook Trout and Lake Trout?

Trout populations were established in Algonquin after the glaciers retreated 11,000 years ago. The lakes left behind were deep, coldwater lakes situated on hard granite. Trout are extremely well-adapted to these seemingly harsh conditions but, as a result, are slow-growing fish with small populations, and are very sensitive to pollution, development, and fishing pressure. Fortunately, most of the lakes in Algonquin are in relatively pristine condition and have not been touched by development.

Lakes in the backcountry of the Park are not fished heavily because of their remote location. Lakes along Highway 60, where fishing pressure is higher, have special regulations to ensure the populations are not overfished. As a result, Algonquin Park is considered one of the finest locations for Brook Trout and Lake Trout in the world.

Spring provides some of the best fishing opportunities of the year. Many anglers say the best fishing is deep in the heart of Algonquin's backcountry/Interior, and the indispensable Canoe Routes of Algonquin Provincial Park map-brochure can lead you to that "secret lake."

Algonquin Park Backcountry Trout Fishing Survey

This annual surveys asks Algonquin's anglers to report their trout fishing effort and catch in backcountry lakes to assist the Algonquin Fisheries Assessment Unit in monitoring the health of Algonquin's world-class trout fishery. The next time you are registering for a backcountry trip ask for a simple Trout Fishing Survey form and participate!

	Trout Fishing Survey Results - 2010 Preliminary
	Trout Fishing Survey Final Results - 2009

Fish Stocking in Algonquin Park

If you are looking for angling opportunities near the Highway 60 Corridor, you may want to try fishing for Splake which is a cross between Speckled (Brook) Trout and Lake Trout. These hard-fighting and tasty fish are stocked regularly in lakes along the Highway 60 Corridor.

Fish Stocking List

Additional Information

Fishing in Algonquin Provincial Park � Many visitors come to the Park with little or no idea of how or where to fish, or even the kinds of fish that might be expected. This book is intended to give you the information that may make the difference between success and failure. A detailed table in this book describes what fish you'll find in many of the Park lakes.

Lake Depth Maps of Algonquin Park � With the help of current technology, Park staff have surveyed 23 of Algonquin's most popular lakes to produce colour maps showing what is beneath the deep, cold waters of Algonquin's lakes. This book, an asset to anglers and canoeists, includes key lake characteristics such as fish species present, and historical significance.

Fishes of Algonquin Provincial Park � Over 50 kinds of fishes occur in Algonquin but their appearance, behaviour, and ecology are largely unknown to most visitors. This book fills the gap with outstanding colour photos of living fish, Park distribution maps, and a definitive text by two of Canada's leading ichthyologists.

The Raven Talks about Fish and Lakes � A compilation of fisheries-related articles from "The Raven," (the Park's popular newsletter) from 1960 to 2003. This inexpensive publication showcases Algonquin's notable concentration of trout lakes compared to other areas of Ontario, plus their relative pristine state inside Park boundaries. This enjoyable read also details the impact by humans upon Algonquin's fisheries, and sadly, even bigger changes that seem inevitable.

2010 Fishing Regulations Summary

Every angler who fishes in the Province of Ontario must obey all applicable fisheries management regulations. Through research conducted right here in Algonquin Park, we have learned that Algonquin Park has unique aquatic environments. As a result, Algonquin has special fisheries regulations, such as a complete ban on live baitfish, to ensure the protection of this outstanding fishery.

Fisheries Research in Algonquin Provincial Park

Not easily observed in their watery environment, except during the spawning season, Brook Trout are usually seen by visitors on the end of a hook, destined for a frying pan. Most people do not give much thought to how many fish might be in a lake, or the age of the fish they just caught. For fisheries biologists at the Algonquin Fisheries Assessment Unit, these are things they think about regularly. To explore the complexities of estimating and aging one of Algonquin's less visible animals, visit The Science Behind Algonquin's Animals, a Website which focuses on wildlife research in Algonquin Park.