BASS, LARGEMOUTH
Average sizes: 1.5 to 4 lbs (.68 to 1.8 kg)
Habitat and temperature: Inhabit shallow, warm waterbodies with aquatic vegetation, submerged wood, man-made cover, and rocks. They prefer 79 to 81°F (26 to 27°C) water.
Biology: Spawn in late May and June in fanned-out bottom depressions. Largemouth prefer vegetated, quiet bays.
Ranges: Species range from Manitoba eastward along the north shore of Lake Superior, continuing as far north as Temiskaming.
BASS, SMALLMOUTH
Average sizes: 1 to 3.5 lbs (.45 to 1.58 kg)
Habitat and temperature: Live in deeper water, often around rocks, sand, or gravel areas. They prefer water temperatures under 70°F (21°C).
Biology: Spawn in late May and June in fanned-out bottom depressions. They deposit their eggs in shallow, gravelly areas. Males guard eggs and fry.
Ranges: Species range from Manitoba eastward along the north shore of Lake Superior, continuing as far north as Temiskaming, and then south.
CARP
Average sizes: 8 to 15 lbs (3.6 to 6.8 kg).
Temperature and habitat: Shallow, weedy, warm water over a mud bottom.
Biology: Spawn near shore in frantic groups in early summer as water temperatures hit 63°F (17.2°C).
Range: Most of southern Ontario.
CATFISH, CHANNEL
Average sizes: 2 to 4 lbs (.9 to 1.8 kg).
Temperature and habitat: Relatively cool, clear, deeper water with sand, gravel, or rubble bottoms in mid- to large river systems and lakes.
Biology: Spawns in late spring-early summer when water temperatures reach between 75 and 85°F (23.9 to 29.5°C).
Range: Mainly inhabits lower Great Lakes through Lake Huron and east into Ottawa River drainage. Some in lower northwest.
CRAPPIE, BLACK
Temperature and habitat: Spawn in shallow, weedy areas when water temperatures reach 68°F (20°C), usually May through June.
Biology: Males guard eggs and fry. For much of the year, they suspend offshore, but move to the edge of weedlines, points, or shoals, or rise to the surface to feed in low-light conditions.
Range: Lower Northwestern Ontario, the Great Lakes and connecting waterbodies to Georgian Bay and the North Channel. Spreading inland north to Parry Sound through connecting systems such as the Rideau and Trent-Severn waterways.
MUSKIE
Average sizes: 10 to 20 lbs (4.5 to 9 kg).
Temperature and habitat: Often found in water up to 78°F (25.5°C), but big muskie, like big northern pike, prefer cooler water. Optimum spawning temperature is 55°F (12.8°C). Lives in a range of habitats, from small lakes to the Great Lakes, usually near cover or structure, but will suspend over deeper water.
Biology: Spawns in spring later than northern pike in many of the same vegetated flooded areas. Can hybridize with northern pike to produce sterile, fast-growing "tiger" muskie.
Range: Extreme northwestern Ontario and roughly south from Sault Ste. Marie, including parts of the Great Lakes (except Superior) and Lake St. Clair.
PERCH, YELLOW
Average size: To .75 lb (.34 kg).
Temperature and habitat: Summer habitat ranges from weedy areas to rock/sand/rubble shoals to mossy mud flats, but perch occasionally suspend to follow forage. Preferred water temperature is 68°F (20°C).
Biology: Spawn in early spring, scattering eggs in shallow water around vegetation and submerged wood.
Range: All of Ontario roughly south of James Bay and the Upper Albany River.
PIKE, NORTHERN
Average size: Between 4 and 10 lbs (1.8 to 4.5 kg). Northern pike more than 20 lbs (9 kg) are considered trophies.
Temperature and habitat: Prefers water around 60°F (15.5°C) on rocky reefs and the edges of weedbeds.
Biology: Spawns in flooded areas and back bays in spring. Fertilized eggs are scattered randomly.
Range: Throughout Ontario in lakes and rivers of all sizes.
SALMON, CHINOOK
Average sizes: Chinooks 10 to 30 lbs (4.5 to 13.6 kg)
Temperature and habitat: Chinook and coho 50 to 55°F (10 to 12.7°C)
Biology: Spawning runs in the Great Lakes from early September to November.
Range: All of Ontario's Great Lakes.
TROUT, BROOK
Average size: Eight to 12 inches (20 to 30 cm) in small streams, 1 to 3 lbs (0.45 to 1.36 kg) in inland lakes.
Temperature and habitat: Prefers temperatures below 68°F (20°C) in clean, well-oxygenated lakes and rivers.
Biology: Spawns in fall over upwelling areas of gravel in lakes and streams. Grows quickly and lives about five years.
Range: From southern Ontario to Hudson Bay tributaries.
TROUT, LAKE
Average size: Two to 10 lbs (0.9 to 4.5 kg).
Temperature and habitat: Around 50°F (10°C) in clear, deep lakes.
Biology: Spawns in fall over boulders or rubble shoals in lakes. Can live 20 years or longer, hence can reach a great size.
Range: Much of Ontario, except James Bay and Hudson Bay Lowlands.
WALLEYE
Average size: Between 1.5 and 3 lbs (.68 to 1.36 kg). It is, though, common to catch walleye topping 10 lbs (4.54 kg) in Ontario.
Temperature and habitat: Prefers stained waters in the 60 to 70°F (15.5 to 21°C) range, usually on hard, rocky bottoms, but also frequents weedbeds in shallow, fertile lakes.
Biology: Spawns after ice-out in rocky rivers and over wind-swept, rubble-strewn shoals and shorelines. Walleye are prolific and scatter eggs randomly.
Range: Throughout Ontario.
WHITEFISH
Average sizes: 4 lbs (1.8 kg).
Temperature and habitat: Can be found in big cold-water rivers and lakes. They generally feed on or near bottom.
Biology: Spawns during the fall.
Range: Mainly in cold northern lakes. Thrives in many of the Great Lakes as well.
