Fishing Wolseley Bay

Spring, summer or fall, the French River offers fishing for all levels of anglers. The varied river currents, depths and river bottoms create ideal conditions for many Ontario fish species. This is why fishermen find fishing The French River so exciting. You just never know when you might hook into a trophy fish. No matter what style of fishing you prefer, live bait, lures, spinners, or fly fishing, there’s a fish out there for you.

Call 1 800 488 4964 or email [email protected] for more details, available dates and pricing.

Fishing Tips for the Spring

Think about your spring fishing trip…… you are getting into your boat in the early morning ..everything prepared… Yes! Off you go with your buddies looking for the first Walleye and Pike of your Ontario fishing trip. Take a long left turn into the Wolseley River… the water level is still high so you will have no problem to pass the beaver dam and double S bend. Should you take your time and maybe troll slowly over the shallow riverbank on the north side … Have the days been nice enough to warm the water attracting some bait fish and active Walleyes? Or was it cold last week making it better to move to some deeper holes and jig along the structure for Walleye?

Does this sound too familiar? “last year it was 10 degrees warmer and we caught Walleye already on worms”……. Or …… “last year when we were pike fishing we caught Pike only in deeper water. This year they are still in the shallow bays or close to the floodplains in the river”….

There is some equipment you should have in your tackle box when you come to the French River: – Jigs (and Grubb Tails) in chartreuse, white and yellow. Get some heavier ones as well if you are going into a stronger current below the rapids. – Go getters, Worm harness, etc.

We will give you a map with updated fishing spots. Wolseley Lodge can arrange affordable guided fishing tours for you. For an additional fee our Guides can prepare a great shore lunch with your fresh caught Walleye or Pike for you. It’s a great way to start your fishing trip. Call or email [email protected] for pricing and more information.

Fishing Rules & Regulations

Wolseley Bay and the French River shoreline includes National Parks and Crown Land.
Image source: MNR Ontario

BASICS

Wolseley Lodge and the French River fall within Zone 11 and exceptions apply (National Park, Crown Land)
Download the MNR – Zone 11 information here for 2015.
This is the correct Zone for Wolseley Lodge and the French River System adjacent to our Cottages.
Please carry your Fishing license, Outdoors Card and Boat documents (if applicable) on you when fishing.
Please familiarize yourself with your Fishing license type limits and expiration date.
Locate the zone and exceptions in the Fishing Guide for the body of water you wish to fish, make sure that you will be fishing in season.  Use the correct bait and tackle.
Check that fish slot limits are valid (ie not replaced by newer local limits that may be posted by the MNR at boat launches, marinas etc.)

ONCE YOU HAVE CAUGHT A FISH

Measure, to verify if it can be kept or should be released.
Stay within the species allowance as specified by your fishing license (S) Sport, (C) Conservation
Transport your fish in accordance with MNR guidelines

MNR

The above information is only a guideline for anglers and fishermen. full details about fishing in Ontario, Canada, can be found here;

Ministry of Natural Resources – Fish Ontario Regulations. (page 66 onwards – Zone 11)

Fishing
Wolseley River and Bay
ZONE 11
Ontario
Zone 11 plus exceptions
Licenses for fishing can be purchased on-line

Buy your Ontario fishing license today

Videos – Fishing and Wolseley Bay

Wolseley Lodge has been a Fishing Resort since 1928
The big fish are out there. Here´s just one of them.

Thanks to the guests at Wolseley Lodge for your fishing videos. The French River features quiet bays and rapids, it’s a great habitat for Ontario sports fish. Here at Wolseley Lodge we welcome fishermen, single anglers, small groups and large parties. We know that you want to be out in Wolseley Bay and on the French River as soon as the mist starts to lift and the first rays of light begin to warm the waters calling the fish to feed.

We have dedicated slips, livebait, fish cleaning ang freezing facilities. With our local connections we get to hear where the trophy fish have been seen, which bait and lures are catching fish consistently this year and which is the best time to cast your line.

YouTube Videos

TEAMFISHTV

Fish TV

Ron and Leo did a special show on Bass fishing at the French River staying with the Wolseley Lodge in 2008
and again, with Grant, for Pike & Walleye in 2010.

XTEN Productions

Fish TV visit Wolseley Bay and Lodge

Walleye Fishing with Fish TV

Ron James and Leo Stakos From FISH TV with Harald at the dock. Ron and Leo did a special show on Bass fishing at the French River staying with the Wolseley Lodge in 2008 and again, with Grant, for Pike & Walleye in 2010.

Ron and Leo did 3 more shows over the French River in 2009 and 2011. They can’t get enough of the French River.

They always get got into some big ones, have fun watching the shows on great locations at the French River.

Fish TV airs with the following Stations:

TV Tropolis
OLN
WILD TV
WFN
Rogers Sportsnet
The Out Door Channel

It’s a great Show, have fun watching it or Check the Fish TV Homepage

Ripple Outdoors

Listen to host Peter Wood chatting with Harald Lutte about Wolseley Lodge and the French River Monster Muskies. Peter spent a few days out and about in Wolseley Bay and enjoyed the hospitality and spectacular views.

FISHING VIDEOS
We would like to thank our guests who took and send us videos of their fishing and vacation adventures on the French River. To make it easier for your to enjoy them, we have placed them on our Wolseley Lodge – Fishing Videos Page.

Fishing The French

Available:

Hot Spots Fishing Map
Boat Rental
Live Bait
Fishing Guide
Fish cleaning hut use
Fish freezing facility

Not Included:

Non Live Bait
Fishing Tackle
Depth Finder
Electric Trolling Motor
Fishing Guide
Fishing Licence
Alcohol
Personal Items
Towels

Fishing Tip:

Be sure to bring a camera with you because you won’t want to miss that picture of the ” Big One” or any of the breath taking scenery on the French River

This page is a guide only.

The Ministry of Natural Resources view is that it is your responsibililty to ensure that you comply with fishing rules and regulations.

Please familiarise yourself with the current rules and regulations for
Zone 11 and any Exceptions. that may apply.

Remember to stay within your Fishing Licence type allowance and obey the Slot limits to safeguard fish populations.