First time in Ontario fishing

[TonyH]

In an unfamiliar part of England it's hard enough knowing how to set about fishing, but travelling to the vastness of Ontario the challenge is bigger! Where do I start? Not asking for anyone's favourite spot or technique, just looking for sources of guidance, information... I've been in SW Ontario twice before, hunting groundhogs with a local friend, planning to be there again this June/July and I'd really like to get in a couple days fishing as well. I use light casting kit for preference, shore or boat - my favourite fishing in England was always to use maybe a 7-foot casting rod from isolated rocky marks for close-inshore seabass, with swimming/floating plugs by Rebel, Bomber, Rapala...
Areas within close striking distance of Grey & Bruce Counties are best; Huron and Georgian Bay are so vast, but maybe it's practical to fish from the shore in parts? I have no idea! Otherwise, I am fond of small lakes and rivers, happy to rent a canoe or boat. Saugeen River any good at the time I mentioned? Too busy with canoe trippers...?
I just don't know where to start - lots of info on the Web, but who to trust... You all know it's easy to go somewhere new and waste your time trying to catch fish in the wrong spot, at the wrong time.
General advice would be very welcome.
Thanks, Tony

 

[NADO]

In June/July you would likely be targeting Bass/Pike/Walleye/Perch. Are you opposed to doing a charter? Lake Erie has an amazing Walleye fishery and alot of charter guys could practically guarantee that you will hit 6+ Walleye in a single outing. Otherwise the mouth at the Maitland river in Goderich is great for bass fishing on the rocks, I have had many 10+ fish over 2lbs days there before but I have also had a couple of zero fish days there as well.

 

[TonyH]

In June/July you would likely be targeting Bass/Pike/Walleye/Perch. Are you opposed to doing a charter? Lake Erie has an amazing Walleye fishery and alot of charter guys could practically guarantee that you will hit 6+ Walleye in a single outing. Otherwise the mouth at the Maitland river in Goderich is great for bass fishing on the rocks, I have had many 10+ fish over 2lbs days there before but I have also had a couple of zero fish days there as well.

NADO, thanks, just the sort of advice I'm seeking. Not sure about these "charter" trips but if they are anything like their Brit equivalent, it's about fishing with a party of others, in fairly deep water, using jigs or live bait...? Not really my thing - though I'd be very happy to catch walleye.
Rock fishing is what I've done mostly for sea-bass here, and looking at Google Earth I think i see rocks a few hundred metres S of Goderich harbour - ? OK, interesting possibility, noted!
Thanks again, Tony

 

[hammercarp]

Hello Tony, PM sent.

 

[ChaseChrome]

You will have to check back frequently Tony...depending on season, location, species blah blah.
Ontario is a fish-hatchery!!

 

[TonyH]

Guys, I posted a reply earlier to NADO but it hasn't appeared yet, but thanks. Hammercarp, I responded to your PM, for which thanks. ChaseChrome, yes, got a few months yet but I'll be checking back regularly!
Those small lakes in Gray & Bruce Counties, say on a line from Kincardine to Barrie and 10 km either side: are they worth trying, not too shallow in summer, hold a few bass? I'll make a few local enquiries but if anyone knows, all info will go into my notes...
Thanks again, Tony

 

[Alfiegee]

Hi Tony. You mention the possibility of canoeing the Saugeen. There is lot's of canoeable water from Walkerton and Hanover down to Southampton at the mouth of the river. There is really good Bass fishing in there but Bass doesn't open here until the 4th Saturday in June. There's also Pike and a few Musky in there, as well as panfish and Cats. A lot of the smaller branches of the Saugeen also have Brook, Rainbow and Brown Trout, but access can be difficult as most of these run through private property. I usually approach land owners, show them a few garbage bags and promise to carry out more than I carry in. I do this too and many people are good with that and I am able to fish these places year after year. The canoe route is awesome and you can spend a few days doing it or just do one a day trip. There are a few campgrounds along the way.

Alfie.

 

[TonyH]

Alfie, thanks - yes, the Saugeen sounds attractive and I had hoped to fish it on my last trip in 2009 but circumstances prevented that. Glad to hear you say it can be good for bass - and I plan to be there a very few days after the bass season opens, so I might well go there and spend a couple days canoeing & fishing. Seems quite easy to rent a canoe.
Best, Tony

 

[Alfiegee]

Tony I grew up spending many of my week ends and holidays on the Saugeen. I still get up that way a few times a year. Some of the outfitters up there will rent you a canoe and then transport you a day or 2 paddle up stream so you can work your way back to there location and your vehicle. When I was younger, 25 years ago a good friend of mines family owned the marina in Southampton so we had access to what ever we wanted and you could pretty much camp anywhere you pleased. I don't know how that would go over these days, but there are campgrounds. I remember one trip down the river years ago when we found a nice place to camp. We fished, swam and cooked dinner over an open fire. The next morning we crawled out of our tents to find ourselves completely surrounded by a herd of cattle. Not sure if we or the cows were more surprised.

Alfie.

 

[MichaelVerdirame]

Alfie, thanks - yes, the Saugeen sounds attractive and I had hoped to fish it on my last trip in 2009 but circumstances prevented that. Glad to hear you say it can be good for bass - and I plan to be there a very few days after the bass season opens, so I might well go there and spend a couple days canoeing & fishing. Seems quite easy to rent a canoe.
Best, Tony

Awesome, and while you're around the Bruce Peninsula parts make sure you invest a few hours to check out Tobermory, one of the most beautiful places in southern Ontario. Tobermory and Killarney Provincial Park. Welcome to Ontario!