Ontario's Trophy Waters
Ontario Trophy Fishing
Sydney Lake is in Ontario's Trophy Waters special conservation area. Located from Sydney Lake in the north east to the English River in the south and west to the Manitoba border, Ontario's Trophy Waters covers about 300 000 hectares.
A one of a kind Trophy Fishing area, recognised as having the best trophy fishing in Ontario Canada. The area is fly-in with remote access and conservation fishing using slot size catch and release is practiced.
This is a special area to keep the waters teeming with fish - lots of fish and big fish for you, your children and grandchildren.
Tourist operators - the Ontario Government, Native Groups, Logging Interests, Tourism, and Citizens Groups combined to form an agreement protecting the great resource of this incredible world class fishery - The Trophy Waters Conservation Area.
Trophy Northern Pike
A Trophy Pike is one that is greater than 38 inches. Remember that for it to be considered a Trophy Northern Pike in Ontario's Trophy Waters it must be released alive.
A main factor in keeping a trophy fish alive is the time that it has spent out of the water.
Take a picture holding the fish horizontally as vertical pictures in large fish can be damaging.
There are a lot of big pike for you to catch in the Canadian Trophy Waters. Read more about Northern Pike Fishing
Trophy Lake Trout
A Trophy Trout is one that measures more than 32 inches. Trophy lake trout fishing is a blast, these monsters are the heavyweights.
The Sydney Lake record lake trout weighed in at 63 lbs. Lake Trout have soft mouths and usually strike twice.
So wait for the second hit and don't set the hook too hard. With releasing Lake Trout time out of the water is even more critical as they come up from depth, they can also get "the bends". Once they are back at depth they will be fine.
Read more about Lake Trout Fishing
Trophy Walleye
In Ontario's Trophy Waters a Trophy Walleye is measured as one that has been caught and released alive that is 27 inches or more.
For more trophy walleyes fish near the bottom but not on it, move around the school, as they are usually towards one end of it.
Fishing near dusk is popular in shallower water as the big fish tend to feed later.
Measure the fish with the tail pinched and the body straight for accurate measurement.
Take a few pictures quick but remember time is critical, and even more critical for large fish. Read more about Walleye Fishing
Live Release Tips
Barbless single hooks allow for the quickest release and cause the least damage.
Do not use jaw spreaders on a fish, they put unnecessary stress. If the fish swallows the hook - cut the line.
If you are unable to remove the hook - cut it off with pliers, it will fall out later. If the fish seems unresponsive, hold the fish by the tail with its nose pointing down at about a 30 degree angle and its back towards surface.
If the fish does not respond, move it back and forth but very slowly.
Your Trophy
Once you have caught your trophy you need to measure your fish - pinch the tail for accurate measurements.
Take a picture - horizontal is best. Quickly release the fish into the water alive.
Back at camp let us know that you caught a trophy. We will fill out the trophy registration book and enter your details including the signature of your witness.
Your name will be registered, along with your catch in the annual Trophy Waters listings book. You will also receive a Trophy Waters hat for your efforts.
The largest trophy fish of each species caught and released in that year with a picture will receive a free trip available for the same package and camp that they caught the trophy on for the following year.
