As Lake Ontario thaws, Kingstonians can cast their lines once again in Canada’s prime fishing hotspot.
Recently crowned Canada’s fishing capital by Fishing Booker in January 2025, Kingston is once again drawing new and increased attraction from anglers thanks to its thriving fishing scene. In 2019, Fishing Booker ranked Kingston in the top seven fishing towns for families. Founded in 2013, Fishing Booker is the largest online platform for booking fishing trips in the word.
Beyond its reputation as a scenic waterfront city, Kingston’s fishing industry plays a vital role in driving the local economy through tourism. From guided charters and bait-and-tackle shops such as Bronson & Bronson, to accommodations and restaurants like Wharf & Feather, the fishing industry s businesses on a broad spectrum.
“Our goal is to make fishing accessible to everyone by allowing them to easily find and book trips that suit their needs,” Vanja Polovina, SEO outreach specialist at Fishing Booker said in an interview with The Journal.
“We at Fishing Booker rank locations based on various factors. [The main factors are] the quality of fishing variety of fish, accessibility surroundings, and recreational opportunities,” Polovina said.
Kingston sits on the northeastern end of Lake Ontario and the beginning of the St. Lawrence River, with several other nearby lakes fostering a high quantity of diverse fish. Kingston’s waters are home to a wide variety of fish, including perch, largemouth and smallmouth bass, lake trout, pike, walleye, and carp, offering anglers a diverse fishing experience.
But Kingston’s accessibility and recreational opportunities set it apart from more rural runner-up cities such as St. Andrews, N.B.
“Kingston is easily accessible […] with roads leading to the lake numerous entry points,” Polovina said. “From exploring the citiy’s rich history to enjoying the beautiful landscapes the combination of quality [the variety] makes Kingston, I guess I could say, the angling capital in Canada which lives up to its historical significance as the country’s first capital in the 1840’s”.
The tourism fishing reels in suggests fishing isn’t just a pastime—but an economic driver.
In general, fishing tourism boosts the local economy by generating income across several industries. Visitors spend money not only on transportation in and out of Kingston, but also on accommodations, food, and activities during their stay.
“According to Tourism Kingston, outdoor recreational activities, including fishing, bring a significant number of tourists annually which local businesses like bait-and-tackle shops, restaurants, hotels, and more,” Polovina said. “Fishing events and tournaments also tract anglers which further boost the local spending and drawing attention to the city as a year-round destination.”
World famous fishing destinations like Montauk, New York, and Gulf Shores, Alabama, have successfully leveraged their fishing reputations to boost their economic growth, Polovina said.
“Kingston could also adopt similar approach by hosting larger events, tournaments, creating partnerships and marketing its unique combination on fishing together with its cultural experiences to attract […] more diverse range of tourists.”
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Brian Campeau
This is very awesome to see! Kingston and surrounding area is for sure great for many species of fish.