The city of Montreal is known for its vibrant culture, amazing restaurants, and even better events. “The Paris of North America” is the second-largest French-speaking city in the world, right behind the capital of France. The city is considered a meeting place of European vibes and North American lifestyle.
Montreal is filled with fun activities, gorgeous things to see, and hidden gems that every big city has. However, there’s more to it. We’re here to shine a light on one of our favorite activities in and around Montreal. Yes, we’re talking about fishing.
If you’re looking for a fun, outdoor activity that’s close to your home this summer, fishing is a great choice. Many of us have had to cancel our travel plans, but luckily there are some amazing local waters where you can unwind and spend those hot, summer days.
Located on the shores of the St. Lawrence River, Montreal has many fishing spots that are waiting to be explored. Buckle up, you’re in for a wild ride!
Less Than an Hour Away
Fishing in the City
When we said fishing near Montreal, we really meant it! Like, really near. How does fishing without leaving the city sound to you? To us, it sounds like an urban angling adventure!
Fishing in the city is an activity that has been growing in popularity over the past few years. Local state parks near the water are encouraging Montrealers to go fishing.
What can you expect to catch on the St. Lawrence River? The river is home to many species, including Carp, Channel Catfish, Largemouth and Smallmouth Bass, Northern Pike, Sturgeon, and Walleye. No matter what time of the year you want to fish in Montreal, something’s always biting.
More good news is that you can also eat the fish you catch on your trip. If you’re a Montreal resident, you’re probably wondering, “How is that possible when the river is so dirty?” If you’re curious about this topic and you’d like to explore it further, check out this article.
The great thing about fishing in Montreal is easy accessibility to the water and some great fishing grounds. Oh, and it’s right on your doorstep!
Lake of Two Mountains
Just outside of the city of Montreal, you’ll find the Lake of Two Mountains. The lake isn’t very deep and the majority of it sits at a depth of under 4.5 meters. Even though it’s shallow, that doesn’t mean it’s not challenging. The lake is home to Smallmouth Bass, which tends to hang out around shallow rocks, creeks, and weeds. If you hope to catch one, you’re going to need some serious angling skills.
On the other hand, underwater humps and shoals in its deeper waters are the meeting place of Largemouth Bass. The combination of these two species makes the lake a great fishing spot. If you’re an experienced fisher, it’s not uncommon to catch both in just one outing.
If Bass isn’t your cup of tea, you’ll also come across Muskies, Northern Pike, and Walleye. Fishing on the lake is good from May to November, but that’s not where the fun ends. During the cold winter months, the lake is a popular ice fishing destination, where anglers meet with one mission – to catch Sturgeon!
For anglers visiting with family and friends who aren’t into fishing, we have some great news. While you battle Bass, your loved ones can enjoy the nearby Bois-de-l’Île-Bizard Nature Park. The park has a small beach and some deep marshes with lots of beavers, turtles, and ducks.
Less Than Two Hours Away
Cornwall
The St. Lawrence River and local lakes dominate the fishing scene around Montreal. That’s why we have another fishing spot on the river on our list – Cornwall. The town is located right between Ottawa and Montreal, which makes it a great spot for residents of both cities to visit during the weekend.
Cornwall is located right on the banks of the St. Lawrence River, giving you the feeling of being right at the doorstep of great fishing grounds. Similar to other places on our list, the waters around the town hold a number of Northern Pike, Walleye, Yellow Perch, Bass, Carp, and Muskie. No matter what time of the year you visit, you can always get out on the water and catch a fish or two. Cornwall is a popular ice fishing destination with many great spots.
The town is also known for its great waterfront area and free boat launches, with numerous fishing tournaments held in the area during the entire year.
Lake St. Pierre
Lake St. Pierre is a popular fishing destination among local anglers, and there’s a good reason for it. On the lake, there’s a fishing hotspot which is a major feeding area for Largemouth and Smallmouth Bass, Walleye, and Pike. However, just because there are plenty of fish here, it doesn’t mean it won’t be a challenge to reel some of them in. The current is very strong, so you’ll probably have to adjust your bait accordingly.
Anglers who’ve fished the area before have reported lots of success with drifting baits. Besides the main species we’ve already mentioned, the lake is home to more than 70 species of fish.
Lake St. Pierre is a beautiful summer destination. It’s very close to both Montreal and Quebec, which makes it the perfect place for a weekend far from the cities’ hustle and bustle.
Less Than Four Hours Away
Lake St. Francois
Lake St. Francois is located in the province of Quebec. Compared to other places on our list, this lake will provide you with calmer surroundings. If you’re looking to reconnect with nature and spend some time in the calm outdoors, Lake St. Francois is the place to be.
When it comes to fishing, the lake holds a significant amount of Smallmouth and Largemouth Bass, Walleye, Carp, Sturgeon, Pike, Muskie, Perch, Brown Trout, Rainbow Trout, and Salmon. The most popular fish to catch here is Smallmouth Bass. Your chances of finding and catching a big fish on the lake are huge. You can expect to find sizable targets in just three to six feet of water.
The fishing is good from July through October, but late fall months tend to be slightly more productive. Special additions to the lake’s fishing scene include salmonids, Rainbow and Brown Trout, as well as Salmon, which were introduced for sportfishing purposes.
Lake Ontario
Lake Ontario is huge and, thanks to that, it holds amazing fishing opportunities and lots of great local fishing spots, such as Kingston, Prince Edward County, and so on. Thanks to its positioning, the lake is also a great spot for residents of big cities such as Toronto, Mississauga, and Hamilton on the Canadian side, and residents of the Upstate New York on the US side. The lake is also known as ‘The Lake of Shining Wonders’. Well, that sure sounds like something that’s worth a visit, right?
Lake Ontario might be the smallest of the Great Lakes, but that doesn’t mean it’s small! The waters of the lake run very deep. Without further ado, let’s talk about fishing.
Lake Ontario’s freshwater fishing scene is one of the finest in the world. No, we’re not kidding. The lake mostly owes its fame to Salmon. If you’re an avid fisher, you’ve probably heard all about the Salmon fishing here. There are many Salmon species in the lake, but Chinook Salmon is the one that rules these waters. There are significantly more Chinook Salmon, in comparison to Coho, Pink, and Atlantic Salmon.
Even though the lake is known for its “Salmon fever,” there are many more species you can target on your angling adventure. From Steelhead, Lake Trout, and Brown Trout to Walleye and Bass, Lake Ontario has something for everyone!
Fishing Near Montreal: The List Doesn’t End Here
These are our top choices for a fishing adventure just outside of Montreal, but we only scratched the surface of an endless list. There are many more amazing fishing spots just an hour or two outside of the city. So, what are you waiting for? Grab your rod or find a charter near you and get out there!
If you crave more information on how to fish in Canada, take a look at our Canada fishing guide and learn about fish species, hotspots, angling techniques, and regulations.
These are our favorite spots, but what are yours? Have you fished any of the places we mentioned? Let us know in the comments below!
