​Ontario’s Fish Records

Catching an exceptionally large fish that lands in the Ontario record book typically involves a blend of luck and skill.

Brook Trout
Weight: 14 pounds 8 ounces
Measurements: L: 31.5 inches x G: 23.0 inches
Date: July 21, 1916
Angler: Dr. J.W. Cook, Fort William
Water Body: Nipigon River

Ontario’s record brook trout also holds the all-tackle world record. The fish was caught by Dr. J.W. Cook in the Nipigon River. This tale, over a century old, remains legendary. Cook was part of a fishing party and caught the fish using a minnow. Brook trout in Ontario can still be found in Algonquin Park, Lake Superior Park, and many stocked lakes, often hitting spoons and spinners.

Brown Trout
Weight: 34 pounds, 6.1 ounces
Measurements: L: 38 inches x G: 28 inches
Date: September 9, 1994
Angler: Richard Matusiak
Place: Lake Ontario
Bait Used: Little Cleo

In the fall of 1994, Richard Matusiak caught a record brown trout while shore casting on Lake Ontario. The fish initially seemed like a Chinook but turned out to be a massive brown trout. Brown trout can still be caught in Lake Ontario, the Niagara River, and occasionally in Lake Nipigon. They often take spoons, crankbaits, and fly patterns.

Coho Salmon
Weight: 29 pounds, 2 ounces
Measurements: L: 40 inches x G: 24.25 inches
Date: September 24, 2013
Angler: Glen Hales
Place: Ganaraska River, Port Hope
Bait Used: Egg Pattern Fly
Glen Hales set the record in 2013 at the Ganaraska River. Coho salmon can still be targeted in Lake Ontario and its tributaries, as well as Lake Superior’s streams. They are often caught with trolling spoons and flashers, spinners, and fly patterns.

Walleye
Weight: 22.25 pounds
Measurements: L: 36.5 inches x G: 21 inches
Date: May 26, 1943
Angler: Patrick Noon
City: Fort Erie
Water Body: Niagara River, Fort Erie
Bait Used: Worm

Patrick Noon caught the record walleye in 1943 in the Upper Niagara River. Other hotspots include the Bay of Quinte, Lake Erie, the French River, Lake Superior, and the Rainy River. Walleye are typically caught with jigs, plain hooks, spinners, and crankbaits.

Chinook Salmon
Weight: 46 pounds, 3 ounces
Measurements: L: 47 inches x G: 30 inches
Date: August 7, 2000
Angler: Harry Oosterveld
Place: Lake Ontario
Bait Used: Rac Spoon

Harry Oosterveld set the record in 2000 on Lake Ontario. Lake Ontario is still the best bet for breaking this record, though other spots include Sault Ste. Marie and Lake Superior. Chinook are caught with spoons, flashers, hoochies, and plugs.

Muskellunge
Weight: 65.0 pounds
Measurements: L: 58 inches x G: 30.5 inches
Date: October 16, 1988
Angler: Kenneth John O’Brien
Water Body: Blackstone Harbour, Lake Huron
Bait Used: 4″ Rapala Countdown

In 1988, Ken O’Brien caught a record muskie in Lake Huron. Ontario remains a prime location for trophy muskie fishing, with hotspots including Lac Seul, Eagle Lake, Lake of the Woods, Lake Nipissing, and the Ottawa River. Muskie are often caught with bucktail spinners, large lures, and trolling crankbaits.

Largemouth Bass
Weight: 10 pounds, 4 ounces
Measurements: L: 22 inches x G: 19.5 inches
Date: August 26, 1976
Angler: Mario Chrysanthou
Water Body: Preston Lake
Bait Used: Red and White Jitterbug

Mario Chrysanthou caught the record largemouth bass in 1976. Ontario’s largemouth bass fishing has improved, with potential hotspots including Rice Lake, Bay of Quinte, St. Lawrence River, Big Rideau, and Lake of the Woods. Largemouth bass are usually caught with weedless lures, spinners, and topwater frogs.

Rainbow Trout
Weight: 40 pounds, 6 ounces
Measurements: L: 39.1 inches x G: 29.4 inches
Date: September 21, 2005
Angler: Joanne Vendramin
City: Sudbury
Water Body: Lake Huron, Little Current

Joanne Vendramin caught the record rainbow trout in 2005 off Little Current. Other potential areas include Lake Ontario, the Niagara River, and Lake Erie. Rainbow trout are often caught with spoons, crankbaits, jigs, and fly patterns.

Lake Trout
Weight: 63 pounds, 1 ounce
Measurements: L: 51.5 inches X G: 32.8 inches
Date: May 25, 1952
Angler: Hubert Hammers
Water Body: Lake Superior
Hubert Hammers’ record lake trout from 1952 still stands. Other promising locations include the Great Lakes, Lake Nipigon, and several lakes in northwestern Ontario. Lake trout are typically caught trolling with spoons and crankbaits, or vertical jigging.

Northern Pike
Weight: 42 pounds, 1 ounce
Date: July 14, 1946
Angler: Harry Bell
City: Covington, Kentucky
Water Body: Delaney Lake near Kenora

Harry Bell’s record northern pike from 1946 still holds. Potential record-breaking spots include Lac Seul, Lake of the Woods, Rainy Lake, Lake Nipigon, and the Great Lakes. Northern pike are often caught with flashy lures, spoons, and spinners.