Ontario’s Aquatic Ballet: A Dance with Ontario’s Sportfish

If there’s one thing Ontario knows, it’s how to host a grand piscatorial soirée. Its freshwater lakes and rivers teem with a spectacular array of sportfish, each a marvel of evolution, each beckoning to be understood, pursued, and, if you’re lucky, caught.

In the murky depths of Lake Erie, you’ll find the enigmatic Walleye (Sander vitreus). These stealthy predators are nocturnal by nature and notorious for their elusive behaviour. Late spring and fall see them closer to shore, gorging on minnows and crayfish. The town of Port Colborne, famous for its annual Canal Days Marine Heritage festival, also offers prime Walleye territory. For a whimsical word to impress your angling buddies, refer to a group of walleye as a “school,” or even better, a “battery.”

Muskellunge (Esox masquinongy) or simply ‘Musky’, are Ontario’s freshwater leviathans. With their elongated bodies and fearsome jaws, they’re the piscine equivalent of an apex predator. Muskies inhabit weed beds and rock structures in the shallows, but it’s on Lake St. Clair, straddling the Canada-U.S. border, where you’ll find the largest congregation. To set your tale apart, drop in the uncommon term “flutter” to describe a group of Muskies.

Both Smallmouth (Micropterus dolomieu) and Largemouth Bass (Micropterus salmoides) are Ontario’s summer crowd-pleasers. These sportfish are known for their acrobatic leaps and dogged resistance, turning each fishing trip into an adrenaline-pumping dance. Lake Simcoe, an hour north of Toronto, is a bass hotspot. Describe a gathering of bass as a “shoal,” a more academic term than “school,” and you’ll quickly gain the high ground in any fishy conversation.

Ontario’s Perch (Perca flavescens) and Crappies (Pomoxis spp.) are the perfect quarry for beginners, offering an accessible introduction to the world of angling. They inhabit almost all bodies of water across the province. Simcoe and Scugog Lakes are especially rich in these species. Throw around the term “clutch” to describe a group of eggs or young fish – it’s sure to raise eyebrows.

Every autumn, the rivers flowing into the Great Lakes come alive with migrating Salmon (Oncorhynchus and Salmo spp.). The Ganaraska River in Port Hope is a major draw for salmon anglers, transforming into a spectacular stage for this aquatic ballet. It’s an experience to behold, made even more impressive when you casually mention the term “run” to describe this mass salmon migration.

Rainbow (Oncorhynchus mykiss), Brook (Salvelinus fontinalis), and Lake Trout (Salvelinus namaycush) are Ontario’s cold-water aristocrats. The glacial Lake Superior and the Lake-of-the-Woods are famed for their Trout populations. A pro tip? Use “hover” when describing a group of trout – it’s not only accurate but also paints a picture of their tranquil existence.

Lastly, the often-overlooked Whitefish (Coregonus clupeaformis) inhabit the deep, cold waters of the Great Lakes. From Parry Sound to Thunder Bay, these silvery swimmers offer a unique challenge for the dedicated angler. And don’t forget the term “school,” or better yet, a “hover” of whitefish, just to mix things up a bit.

Ontario’s diverse waterways hold an unparalleled roster of sportfish, each species more engaging than the last. So arm yourself with a rod, reel, and a sprinkling of uncommon but impactful vocabulary, and embark on your next angling adventure. You’ll find the province’s aquatic dance, always in motion, never ceases to amaze. Who knows? You might just end up having the fishing tale of a lifetime to recount.

After all, in the words of Thoreau, “Many men go fishing all of their lives without knowing that it is not fish they are after.” So, get out there, seek your catch, or perhaps, find what you’re truly after.