As the Executive Director at Ontario's Sunset Country, I have the good fortune of getting a lot of time out on the lakes in the region. With over 70,000 of them in this part of Ontario, I'll never get to visit them all but whether I'm there for fishing, photography, or just plain relaxation, when I'm not working, a day on a freshwater lake in Sunset Country is time well-wasted. For paddlers, this part of Ontario is a paradise! there are more flatwater canoe routes here than anywhere else in Ontario.
Catching a trophy fish or some walleye for shore lunch is part of the experience, but just being on the water is the highlight for me. The photo opportunities are around every corner and capturing them is a major part of my day on the lake. This article is being written with the intention of taking you out on the water with me for the day so you can see what I get to see. Read on and let's spend some time on the water together and enjoy the boat ride!
As the photo above shows, islands and giant white pines can be seen on many of our lakes. If you're here to fish, the rocks plunging into the water could indicate a "hole" is nearby so I often stop in these spots and look for walleye. Throwing a popper or jerk bait at that small rock usually means there is a good chance I'll catch a pike or my favorite fish, a smallmouth bass. Some of these spots turn into hotspots I come back to another day. Finding the fish is part of the fun especially on a beautiful day like that one was.
In addition to fishing, just exploring the lake and looking for pristine wilderness sand beaches is another favorite activity of mine when I'm out on the water. On some of the larger lakes, the number of beaches you can have to yourself is nothing short of incredible. Often, I do this with my son Matthew and he loves to go for a swim. The solitude and feeling of joy from sitting on a beach in the middle of nowhere and with no one else around is truly something else. A picnic or shore lunch of freshly caught walleye can also be part of the mix. Taking your family to one of these beaches is a great way to spend the day in Sunset Country.
