Fishing In Windsor, Canada

Located along the Detroit River, a waterway that links two of the most productive fisheries in Canada, Windsor offers both the novice and experienced angler ample opportunities to catch a variety of fish. Whether you're looking for trophy fish, pan fish or simply a good fish tale to tell, Windsor fishing holes fit the bill.

Popularity

Fishing in Windsor is popular with locals and visitors from across the border alike. The Detroit River links Lake Erie to Lake St. Clair, both fisheries that previously boasted vibrant commercial operations. The Detroit River's varied geography, featuring islands, inlets, channels and drop-offs, make for excellent walleye fishing during the spring spawn. Canadians are friendly folk and Windsor is a small city, so shoreline anglers often enjoy a peaceful and social fishing atmosphere. A clear benefit to fishing in Windsor is the stunning view of the Detroit skyline.

What You'll Catch

The Detroit River offers fishing to suit every taste, be it a big fight on your line or a plateful of panfish. Yellow perch, white perch, bluegill, crappie and pumpkinseed are plentiful in the river. So are walleye, various bass species and catfish. Sheephead and carp, while not popular eating fish, are easy to catch. Muskie is usually caught by trolling but can be caught using a rod and reel by experienced fishermen.

Shoreline Fishing

Shoreline fishing is great for the beginner--all you need is some basic equipment and there's always a supportive group of fellow fishermen along the shore, ready and willing to share advice and expertise. Popular spots for shoreline fishing are Lasalle Marina, Assumption Park, the mainland park across from Peche Island, River Canard and Mill Park pier. Downtown Windsor parks, such as Kiwanis, are family-friendly locations. Lakeview Marina is a popular spot to fish from early November to the end of April. As Windsor's waterfront becomes more developed, shoreline fishing access is becoming more challenging to find.

Lake St. Clair

Boat anglers will often fish the shallow and highly productive waters of Lake St. Clair, located at the northern end of the Detroit River. Perch, walleye, muskie, largemouth bass, crappie and pike can all be caught with reliability. Its reputation, however, lies in its smallmouth bass fishing. Mitchell's Bay, located on the east side of Lake St. Clair, offers boat rentals, bait and tackle, charters, marina facilities and overnight accommodations that range from camping and cabins to bed and breakfasts.

Regulations and Licensing

Anyone fishing in Ontario requires an Outdoors card and fishing license, available for purchase online or at various locations across the province. A summary of the Ontario fishing regulations is available online. Because of the popularity of bass fishing on the Detroit River, it's useful to note that bass fishing is prohibited in Canadian waters until the fourth Saturday in June and after November 30.

Health Advisories

The Detroit River is an urban waterway with historical and present-day sources of pollution. If you want to make a meal of your day on the water, be sure to check out the Guide to Eating Ontario Sportfish, which will tell you how many meals of particular sizes and species of fish are recommended per month. Information is organized according to geographic location. The Detroit River is divided into upper and lower sections and can be found in the Lake Erie section of the guide.