Canoe Lake Algonquin Park Fishing

Memories of epic Algonquin trips fill my head. But this year, my dad and I can only find the time to take a quick day trip to Canoe Lake. Still, I'm convinced we have enough time to put a few lake trout in the canoe, despite the fact that it’s been a cold spring. We use the same 3-way swivel set-up my buddy and I used last year at Biggar Lake. I alternate between a Mepps Syclops #1 Silver-Hot Firetiger and a Mepps Dressed Aglia #2 Silver, while my dad ties on a Mepps Dressed Aglia #5 with an orange & gold/copper blade. 

We start fishing around 1 p.m. It’s cloudy and there’s a moderate wind blowing west-to-east. Not long after, we hook our first and, ultimately, only fish of the day. My dad uses a shorter, stiffer rod, so the fish doesn't seem to be very big as he’s reeling it in. Much to my surprise, it’s a very decent size for an Algonquin lake, bigger than any of the 13 my buddy and I caught the previous year. Not wanting to risk passing the fish and camera around in the canoe, my dad snaps a few pictures of me holding the laker, which I then release. 

Our trolling route, represented by the black dotted line; the star represents where we caught the fish; TH stands for traditional hotspot: the first is a shoal just north of Camp Wapomeo; the second is a shoal just south of the Tom Thomson cairn & totem pole

The rest of the day is tough. We troll around the entire lake but don’t have any more luck. As a consolation, the wind dies down and the clouds dissipate as the day goes on, setting up a perfect evening – at least weather wise. When we get back to the outfitters, someone on the dock tells us that lakers on Canoe Lake can be tricky at this time of year because the cold water’s everywhere, and so the fish can be anywhere in the water column, deep or shallow. Certainly, something you should think about if you consider going to Canoe Lake at this time of year.

My overall impression of Canoe Lake is that it’s a decent place to go for a day trip. Were I to actually take a few days to go camping in Algonquin, I wouldn't choose that area. But if you’re strapped for time and can only afford a quick trip, it’s nice enough. And now, the countdown to bass season begins...

Related posts:

Biggar Lake Fishing

Book Review: Fishing Mapbook (click for another map of Canoe Lake)

Lake Trout in Algonquin Park

Tim River Part 3: An Unexpected Visitor

Greg Cholkan is a lawyer, fisherman, and Hemingway impersonator. He works in Huntsville and Haliburton with Barriston LLP and his practice focuses on real estate, wills and estates, and corporate matters.

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