With pristine lakes and ponds dotting our great province, it’s no wonder freshwater fishing in Ontario is considered a favourite outdoor pastime. Whether you like to partake in a certain kind of fishing or want to try expanding your cast and catch routine, it’s worth knowing you’ve got many options to choose from!
So, let’s take a look at what are the four different types of fishing in Ontario.
1. Bait Fishing
Bait fishing is considered a classic form of hobby and sport fishing and is one of the most popular. Just as it sounds, it involves attaching a fish’s preferred bait to the end of a hook that is suspended in the water with the help of a bobber. The hook and bobber are attached to a weightless line and a rod.
The hook and bait are purposely suspended at depths where hungry fish looking for food will find it or in areas where fish may be hiding. Popular bait items include worms, insects, nightcrawlers and smaller bait fish.
2. Fly Fishing
Similar to bait fishing, fly fishing also uses a kind of bait to lure a fish, but in a different way. Rather than using a bobber to cast the bait into the water, fly fishing uses a weighted line with a lightweight fly on the end. It’s for this reason that fly fishing requires a different casting technique than you would use in bait fishing.
Unlike in bait fishing, the “bait” used in fly fishing to attract a catch is an artificial fly, which is typically made of synthetic materials or hair and feathers. No wriggling worms or creepy crawlies here! Instead, the artificial fly is meant to mimic the look of the usual food source of the desired fish.
3. Trolling
While with bait and fly fishing you have an angler stationed in one spot casting off, trolling involves dragging a hooked bait or lure through the water behind a slow-moving boat.
This is a popular form of fishing for anglers on the hunt for big-game fish in the ocean, but it is also suitable for inland lakes. If you’re going to fish like this, then it’s important to have the speed of the boat and the depth of the line just right!
4. Ice Fishing
Cold weather and a frozen body of water aren’t enough to keep the fish from biting! In fact, when the chill sets in, anglers love to hit the frozen lakes and ponds of The Franklin Club for some excellent ice fishing.
As you can guess, ice fishing involves drilling a hole through the frozen layer of the water using an auger or drill. The hole should be roughly eight inches wide so the fish can easily fit through when caught and pulled up. But remember to play it safe! Always ensure the ice conditions are safe for ice fishing and make sure you dress properly to keep warm.
Offering fly fishing, ice fishing and more, The Franklin Club is your destination for year-round fishing in Ontario!
As one of the best outdoor clubs in Ontario, we at The Franklin Club are proud to offer an unparalleled angling experience at our private fishing club, boasting its own trout hatchery and year-round fishing!
Contact us today to learn how you can become a Franklin Club member.
