🌡️ Preferred water temp
10–16°C (50–61°F) — needs cold, oxygen-rich water and struggles above about 20°C.
⏰ Best time to catch
Ice-out through early summer, then again in fall before spawning; avoid the summer heat.
Habitat
Cold, clean creeks, beaver ponds, spring ponds and Shield lakes; never far from cold water and cover.
Season by season
Spring
Ice-out cruisers patrol shorelines and inflows — small spinners and worms.
Summer
Streams: pocket water and undercut banks; lakes: deep, near springs and inlets.
Fall
Aggressive and brilliantly coloured pre-spawn — most seasons close Sep 30.
Winter
Stocked-lake ice fishing where open: small spoons and worms in 1–4 m.
What to throw
Small spinners and spoons, worms, flies; light line and small hooks.
Popular Brook Trout lakes
Lake Superior
Lake Huron
Lake Ontario
Lake Simcoe
Sturgeon Lake
Wanapitei Lake
Long Lake
Esnagami Lake
Lady Evelyn L.
Opeongo Lake
Big Rideau Lake
Pen Lake
Open the map and filter by Brook Trout to see every Ontario waterbody where it's been recorded, with depth, regulations and live conditions for each one.