Fishing Paradise
6 species, 6,000 acres, and almost no one else on the water. Big Gull Lake is one of Ontario's best-kept fishing secrets — walleye, smallmouth, largemouth, pike, perch, and whitefish across two distinct basins.
6 Species, Two Basins
Big Gull Lake supports a diverse fishery across its east basin (deep, rocky — walleye and smallmouth territory) and west basin (shallow, weedy — largemouth and pike). Here's what's swimming below the surface.
🟡 Walleye
Sander vitreusThe spring walleye run (May) is legendary on Big Gull Lake. As the water warms after ice-out, walleye move into shallower water and feed aggressively. In summer, target the thermocline at 5–8 m — they hold near this transition zone on hot days. Fall fishing (September–October) is quieter and often more productive than spring.
East basin — rocky points, shoals, thermocline zone (5–8 m in summer)
Depth: 3–8 m (spring/fall shallows), 5–12 m (summer thermocline)
- Live minnows
- Leeches
- Nightcrawlers
- Berkley Gulp minnows
- 1/4 oz jig + twister tail
- Rapala Husky Jerk
- Lindy Rig
- Walleye Diver crankbait
- Jigging with minnows
- Trolling crankbaits
- Bottom bouncing with worm harness
- Casting jig + soft plastics
🟤 Smallmouth Bass
Micropterus dolomieuSmallmouth love structure — boulders, rock ledges, and submerged points throughout the east basin and around the 30+ islands. They're aggressive feeders from the June opener through September. These are pound-for-pound the hardest fighting fish in the lake.
East basin — rocky shorelines, island points, boulder fields, submerged ledges
Depth: 1–6 m (shoreline structure)
- Crayfish
- Nightcrawlers
- Leeches
- 3" tube jig (green pumpkin)
- Senko wacky rig
- Whopper Plopper topwater
- Ned rig on mushroom head
- Drop-shot rigs
- Tube jigs
- Topwater walking baits
- Ned rigs on rocky bottom
🟢 Largemouth Bass
Micropterus salmoidesHead to the west basin where sparse weed growth provides the cover largemouth prefer. Shallow bays with lily pads, fallen timber, and weed edges are the top spots. Topwater lures at dawn and dusk produce explosive strikes — there's nothing quite like a largemouth blowing up on a frog in the lily pads.
West basin (Little Gull Lake) — weedy bays, lily pads, fallen timber, weed edges
Depth: 1–4 m (shallow weed beds and cover)
- Nightcrawlers
- Live shiners
- Hollow-body frog
- Texas-rigged creature bait
- Spinnerbait (white/chartreuse)
- Wacky-rigged Senko
- Flipping & pitching into cover
- Topwater frogs
- Texas-rigged soft plastics
- Spinnerbaits along weed edges
🟠 Northern Pike
Esox luciusPike ambush from weed edges — cast spinnerbaits or large swimbaits along the transition between weeds and open water. Spring is the best season for trophy pike when they're still shallow after spawning. Always use a steel or fluorocarbon leader — pike teeth will cut through monofilament instantly.
West basin and weedy bays of the east basin — weed edges, shallow flats, creek mouths
Depth: 1–5 m (weed lines and transition zones)
- Large minnows
- Suckers
- Cut bait
- 5" swimbait (perch pattern)
- Mepps #5 bucktail spinner
- Rapala X-Rap jerkbait
- Johnson Silver Minnow (weedless)
- Casting spinnerbaits
- Trolling large swimbaits
- Dead-bait under float
- Jerkbaits with pause-and-twitch
🔵 Yellow Perch
Perca flavescensPerfect for kids and beginners — catch them right off the dock at Island View Retreat. Perch schools move through the shallows near docks and sandy beaches all day. Bait up a worm, drop a line, and they'll be entertained for hours. One guest's child caught 9 perch in a single day off the dock.
Near docks, sandy beaches, shallow bays — schooling fish that move through predictably
Depth: 1–4 m (dock and nearshore)
- Worms (pieces)
- Wax worms
- Small minnows
- 1/32 oz jig + worm piece
- Small Berkley gulp maggot
- Tiny spoon (ice fishing)
- Bobber + worm
- Small jigs tipped with worm
- Drop line off the dock
- Ice fishing in winter
⚪ Lake Whitefish
Coregonus clupeaformisA less common but prized catch in Big Gull Lake's deeper waters. Lake whitefish move into the deeper channels as water cools in the fall. They're delicate fighters and excellent table fare — some anglers consider them the best-eating freshwater fish in Ontario.
East basin — deep channels, near bottom in 8–20 m depths
Depth: 8–20 m (deep basin channels)
- Small minnows
- Wax worms
- Euro-nymphs
- Small jigging spoon
- 1/8 oz jig tipped with wax worm
- Fly-tipped drop shot
- Jigging near bottom
- Drop-shot with small flies
- Ice fishing with small jigs
Seasonal Fishing Calendar
Every season offers something different on Big Gull Lake. Spring and fall are prime walleye time, summer is bass paradise, and winter brings hardwater action for the dedicated angler.
Spring (May – June)
Summer (July – August)
Fall (September – October)
Winter (January – March)
Interactive Depth Map
Big Gull Lake reaches 85 feet at its deepest point in the east basin. Click any depth marker to see target species and fishing notes for that area. Satellite view shows the lake's structure — rocky points, islands, and weed beds.
Top Fishing Locations
From dock fishing to deep basin trolling — Big Gull Lake offers spots for every skill level and style of fishing.
East Basin Deep Structure
The main basin with 85 ft max depth — prime walleye and smallmouth territory.
West Basin (Little Gull Lake)
Shallower basin with sparse weed growth — largemouth bass and pike heaven.
Island View Dock
Catch fish without even getting in a boat. Perfect for families and kids.
Island Shorelines (30+ islands)
Paddle out and fish the rocky shorelines and drop-offs around any of the lake's islands.
The Narrows (Channel)
Where the east and west basins connect — a natural fish highway and ambush point.
Catches & Stories
Real catches from real guests at Island View Retreat. Every fish in these photos came from Big Gull Lake.
Bait & Tackle Guide
Live bait and basic tackle are available at Camp's Bay Marina right next door. For specialized lures and soft plastics, bring your own for the best selection.
Live Bait
- Nightcrawlers (universal)
- Minnows (walleye & pike)
- Leeches (walleye & bass)
- Wax worms (perch & panfish)
Terminal Tackle
- 1/4 oz jig heads (various colours)
- Drop-shot weights + hooks
- Bobbers / slip floats
- Steel leaders (pike)
- Split shot sinkers
Soft Plastics
- 3" tubes (green pumpkin, smoke)
- 4" Senko worms (watermelon)
- Twister tail grubs
- Creature baits for flipping
Hard Baits
- Crankbaits (Rapala Husky Jerk)
- Topwater (Whopper Plopper, frogs)
- Spinnerbaits (white/chartreuse)
- Spoons (Johnson Silver Minnow)
Boat Rentals at Camp's Bay Marina
No need to tow a boat — Camp's Bay Marina is steps from Island View Retreat. Rent a fishing boat, grab bait and tackle, fill up on fuel, and you're on the water in minutes.
- Fuel dock
- Bait & tackle shop
- Fishing licenses
- Fish cleaning station
- Local fishing advice
Fish from Day One
Island View Retreat comes equipped for fishing — no extras to rent for basic lake access.
2 Fishing Kayaks
Stable sit-on-top designs — perfect for casting along shorelines and around islands
2 Canoes
Paddle out to the islands and fish the rocky drop-offs that boats can't reach
2 Paddleboards
SUP fishing is surprisingly effective on calm mornings — and incredibly peaceful
Private Dock
Cast a line from the dock any time — perch and bass are regular visitors
Fish Cleaning Area
Clean your catch on-site or use the station at Camp's Bay Marina next door
Fishing Regulations (FMZ 18)
Big Gull Lake falls within Ontario Fisheries Management Zone 18. Key rules at a glance — always verify the current season with the official FMZ 18 summary.
| Species | Season | Limit | Size |
|---|---|---|---|
| Walleye & Sauger | Jan 1–Mar 1, 2nd Sat May–Dec 31 | S-4 / C-2 | 40–50 cm slot |
| Bass (LM & SM) | 3rd Sat June–Dec 15 | S-6 / C-2 | — |
| Northern Pike | Jan 1–Mar 31, 2nd Sat May–Dec 31 | S-6 / C-2 | — |
| Yellow Perch | Open all year | S-50 / C-25 | — |
| Lake Whitefish | Open all year | S-12 / C-6 | — |
Fishing License
- Ontario Outdoors Card + fishing licence required
- Available at Camp's Bay Marina or online
- Canadian residents: Sport or Conservation
- Non-residents: available online at ontario.ca
- Children under 18: free with licensed adult
Important Rules
- S = Sport licence, C = Conservation licence
- Walleye: 40–50 cm slot size (keep only within slot)
- Catch-and-release outside open seasons
- Lead tackle restrictions may apply
- Always check ontario.ca for current regulations
Cast Your Line on Big Gull Lake
Island View Retreat is the perfect base camp for fishing Big Gull Lake. Private dock, 2 fishing kayaks, 2 canoes, and Camp's Bay Marina right next door with boat rentals, bait, and tackle.