Stocking hit list

Finding a new lake that offers great angling potential for a favourite species is a high priority for most anglers. I’ve successfully searched for “hot” lakes for over 40 years. Many are off the beaten track and produce outstanding action, thanks to stocking efforts by the Ministry of Natural Resources and Forestry (MNRF). Interpreting the logistics of stocking and following a game plan for fishing lakes can produce positive results.

Stocking figures:
8,000,000 fish are released each year in Ontario
1,200+ Waterbodies are stocked annually
2,000 Lakes and rivers are stocked on a four-year cycle

Start here

Finding information about stocked lakes and rivers is simple. OFAH Fisheries Biologist Adam Weir recommends using the MNRF's Fish ON-Line tool: www.ontario.ca/fishonline

"When available, stocking data is displayed in a table format consisting of the date, life stage of the fish, and the total number of individuals being stocked. Anglers may fine-tune their approach, investigate new waterbodies, and discover additional fishing opportunities using the tool," said Weir.

Create your own FISH ON-LINE stocking list

1. On the search page, choose the box “Create Stocking List”
2. Choose a stocked species
3. In the “Search Area” field, select Distance from Address, Fisheries Management Zone, or MNRF District
4. Print list
Example: Choosing MNRF District Parry Sound generates a stocking list for the entire region

Short listing

Sebastian Kowalczuk, owner of Cottage Fishing Adventures, is a top back-lakes angler. “A lake stocked every year is excellent. But with lakes stocked every second year, fish the off-year allowing for dispersal and better size. A lake should have limited access, but a few cottages are fine as long as structure, islands, and shallow bays are present,” said Kowalczuk.

“On a map look for inflowing streams and other shallow shoreline areas, which will support warmer water temperatures than the main lake. These areas will attract trout looking for forage,” he added.

Having fished with Kowalczuk his tip to me was to always pick two or three lakes that have potential and are geographically close. If one lake doesn’t produce a second nearby lake might be on fire. Trial and error is all part of the game plan when selecting lakes.

Closing the deal

Once potential lakes have been identified, use additional resources to check for location and trail or road accessibility.

1. The Backroad Mapbooks hardcopy series (www.backroadmapbooks.com) offers detailed map guides for various parts of Ontario. Maps are large scale and feature latitudinal and longitudinal co-ordinates and all access locations. The company also produces a Backroad Navigator app (www.brmbnavigator.com)

2. Online satellite imagery resources such as Google Earth (www.earth.google.com) and Bing Maps (www.bing.com/maps) make it easy to view waters, and find trail or path access.

Originally published in the Ontario OUT of DOORS 2018 Fishing Annual

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