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Hooked on Sudbury: Ontario’s Best Kept Fishing Secret

Urban fishing or remote wilderness? Sudbury has it all. 330+ lakes, trophy fish, stunning scenery & easy access. Discover why fishing in Sudbury is far better than what you might have been led to believe.

Pro fisherman Frank Clark holds up a huge Walleye while fishing in Sudbury, Ontario
Frank Clark shows off the day’s best catch – Photo credit: Kevin Wagar

Lake Wanipitei was named after the Ojbway word for “concave tooth.” It’s a fitting name, considering I was looking for some teeth to bite into my fishing lure. Here I was, casting a line into its glassy surface, trying to look like I knew what I was doing.

Just a few hours before, I’d been getting a crash course in Fishing 101 from Frank Clark, a local fishing pro who probably catches more fish in a day than I’ve seen in my life. But somehow, by some miracle, my lure actually sailed through the air and landed with a satisfying plop. Beginners luck? Maybe. But it was enough to earn the praise of Frank and local outdoors expert Len Talarico.

Five minutes after parking at Tony’s Marina, we were gliding across the glassy smooth water just twenty minutes from the city of Sudbury. It’s not exactly the first place that springs to most minds when they think of “angling paradise,” is it? More like nickel mines and that big smoke stack, right?

But hold on to your fishing hats because this place has a few secrets hidden up its sleeve. We’re talking monster walleye, trophy-sized bass practically jumping in the boat, and scenery that’d make AY Jackson and the rest of the Group of Seven weep tears of joy.

Sandbanks and fall colours on Lake Wanipitei in Sudbury
Sandbanks and fall colours on Lake Wanipitei in Sudbury – Photo credit: Kevin Wagar

Frank, in his souped-up Triton bass boat, had been hauling in fish like I normally haul in weeds. Len and I? Well, we were doing our best to keep up. Surrounding us, the autumn colours made us feel like we were in a Monet. Bright hues of yellow, orange, green, and red created by the late-season foliage were everywhere. Above us, the sun shone brightly against a brilliant blue sky, lighting up an early October landscape.

Unlike northern Ontario, fishing lodges like Mar Mac Lodge, located between White River and Sault Ste. Marie, The city of Sudbury doesn’t draw the same attention from professional and amateur anglers. I can’t imagine why. Sudbury is just four hours from the fourth-largest city in North America and the largest city in Canada.

It’s got great hotels, incredible and creative restaurants, and a world of outdoor adventures on its doorstep. Frank, Len, and I can’t be the only ones who have figured this out. Can we?

Fishing In Sudbury, Ontario

Three fisherman cast their reels at the base of a cliff on Lake Wanipitei in Sudbury, Ontario
Casting our lines surrounded by the beautiful fall colours on Lake Wanipitei – Photo credit: Kevin Wagar

Sudbury, Ontario. Yeah, this place was once the poster child of industrial overreach and environmental disasters. During the early to mid-1900s, the city’s towering smokestacks belched out toxic clouds and industrial equipment, and open-pit mining scarred the surrounding landscapes.

But don’t think for a minute that the Sudbury of today is like the set of some post-apocalyptic Mad Max movie. Hard work, dedication, and a shift in culture and focus led to a resurgence in the city. The soot has been scrubbed clean. A few million trees have been planted. And nowadays, the region around Sudbury comes across as Ontario’s answer to the Hemsworth brothers. A postcard of Ontario’s northern Ontario wilderness.

Rugged, good-looking, and surprisingly sensitive.

Sudbury’s lakes, rivers, and forests offer more than just a pretty face, though. This is the gateway to the north, a launchpad to adventure. Think Killarney Provincial Park, with its quartzite mountains and turquoise lakes, and one of Ontario’s most beautiful hikes. Think Manitoulin Island, the largest freshwater island in the world, where Indigenous tradition blends with the magical North Channel waters.

But hold your horses. We’re here to fish. And Sudbury? This place offers world-class angling, the kind of place where you can hook a trophy pike while a black bear watches on with envy.

So grab your rod, pack your tackle box, and let’s hit the water. This is Sudbury, and it’s ready to show you what this city is really made of.

Best Places To Fish In Sudbury

Kevin Wagar holds up a bass while fishing in Sudbury
My catch of the day. A fine specimen plucked from the murky depths. – Photo credit: Kevin Wagar

Right, so you’ve got your rod, you’ve got your tackle box, and you’ve somehow managed to tie a decent fishing knot. Now, where should you actually go to find great fishing in this reborn wilderness wonderland?

Fear not, intrepid angler, because Sudbury’s got more lakes than you can shake a stick at. 330 of them, at least. So many, says Frank Clark, that you’re practically tripping over trophy fish just walking down the street. Okay, maybe not that many, but you get the picture. Just be aware. Sudbury falls into the Ministry of the Environment’s “Zone 10,” which has a unique set of fishing regulations. You can find everything you need to know about that here.

The best part is that you don’t need a week-long expedition and a team of guides to reach these hidden gems. They’re practically on Sudbury’s doorstep. Easy access, well-maintained launches, plenty of parking… it’s like fishing with valet service.

Now, let’s talk specifics. Lake Wanapitei , for instance, is a beast of a lake. This 8.4 km square lake was formed by a massive meteor strike about 34 million years ago. Frank and Len both agreed that there’s no telling just how deep it is. Officially, it’s 142 metres. But Frank says that no one’s ever really found the bottom. Pike, walleye, bass, trout… In the words of local fishing expert Len Talarico, it’s “like the United Nations of freshwater fish.”

To help you get started, here’s an overview of some of Sudbury’s best fishing holes. There are so many that you don’t need to worry about crowds. If you’re looking for a guide, reach out to local fishing pro Frank Clark. If he can get me to reel in trophy bass, he can do anything!

Ramsey Lake

Right in the heart of Sudbury, with views of the futuristic Science North on one side and open water on the other. This lake is teeming with fish. But the real action happens at night when the riff-raff has gone home, and the walleye come out to play. Just try not to hook a drunk college student.

Windy Lake

Small but perfectly formed, this lake is a haven for pike and walleye. And if you’re lucky, you might even snag the odd lake trout. This lake drops onto Windy Lake Provincial Park, a perfect spot for those who want to enjoy a bit of camping to go along with their Sudbury fishing frenzy.

Ashagami Lake

Smallmouth bass and walleye, hiding amongst a scattering of tiny islands. Sounds idyllic, doesn’t it? Well, it is. Unless you’re a walleye, in which case, those drop-offs are the last thing you’ll ever see. Oh, and the launch is unmaintained. So, if you value your truck, make sure you have good tires.

Fairbank Lake

Think submerged logs, lurking lake trout, and smallmouth bass with an attitude. It’s basically a five-star hotel for fish, and you’re paying the price with that launch fee at Fairbank Provincial Park. But hey, at least you’ll have a decent place to park your Bentley.

Kukagami Lake

Rocks, shoals, and more rocks. It’s like the surface of the moon down there, but the fish love it. Smallmouth, walleye, lake trout… they’re all here, just waiting for you to snag them. And if you need a place to stay, Sportsman’s Lodge Wilderness Resort is just down the road. Don’t worry, they have showers.

Lake Panache

This isn’t just one lake; it’s five lakes in one! Pike in the back bays, bass in the shallows, lake trout in the depths… it’s an angler’s paradise. Just be prepared to pay the price at Penage Bay Marina. But then, if you can afford a boat, you can afford the launch fee, right?

Matagamasi Lake

Walleye and pike galore, and views that’ll make you want to ditch the fishing rod and grab a paintbrush. Just be careful on that gravel launch; you wouldn’t want to scratch the paintwork shiny boat.

Nepewassi Lake

Long, shallow, and full of surprises. Pike, bass, and the elusive muskie… it’s a game of hide and seek with some serious teeth. Just remember, this is a marathon, not a sprint. Start in the bays and work your way out. And do not forget your depth finder.

Vermillion Lake

Shallow, snag-infested, and absolutely packed with fish. Pike, walleye, catfish, sunfish… it’s a feeding frenzy. Just watch out for those sunken trees. You wouldn’t want to end up getting snagged.

To help you out, I’ve added all of these lakes to Google Maps. Happy fishing!

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