It looks like you don’t have to go far to land a great catch. Barrie has been named the second-best fishing city in Canada this year, according to a new ranking by FishingBooker, a worldwide platform for booking guided fishing trips. “FishingBooker analyzed internal booking trends, angler interest, and destination popularity from the past year to identify the Best Fishing Cities in Canada for 2026. The list highlights cities where fishing plays an important role in local recreation and tourism,” says Vanja Polovina, FishingBooker. Barrie earned its spot as Ontario’s top-ranked city thanks to its central location along the shores of Lake Simcoe. Some say Barrie should have been in the top spot. “We should have been number one because Lake Simcoe has more fresh water species than any other lake in Ontario,” shares Kathleen Turner, Tourism Barrie. General Manager of Hampton Inn and Suites Tanya Schaefer says the hotel guests are big winter enthusiasts. “We have a lot of hockey and sports enthusiasts coming to enjoy the area. Ice fishing, skiing, snowboarding, that’s really driving our business,” Schaefer explains. “Reliable fishing close to home.” “The city offers easy access to productive waters known for yellow perch, smallmouth bass, northern pike, and other freshwater species, making it a favourite for anglers looking for reliable fishing close to home,” continues Polovina in a Tuesday release. According to the ranking report, its close proximity to Georgian Bay takes the cherry on the cake. Beyond the rod and reel, FishingBooker states that the year-round activities play a huge part in its success. “Barrie’s waterfront, downtown core, and year-round outdoor activities contribute to its reputation as a destination where time on the water fits naturally into a wider travel experience,” says Polovina. Hot Box Huts, a family-run fishing service in Churchill, sees many of its visitors from the Greater Toronto Area. “This year, 90 per cent of our guests are local, most of them come from the Greater Toronto Area,” said owner Donny Crowder. “And 10 per cent come from further, visiting from other countries or even the United States.” The full list of 2026 top-ranked locations includes Vancouver, British Columbia; Barrie, Ontario; Montreal, Quebec; Prince George, British Columbia; Sudbury, Ontario; Fredericton, New Brunswick; Thunder Bay, Ontario; Whitehorse, Yukon; Edmonton, Alberta; and Halifax, Nova Scotia. Founded in 2013, Polovina states that FishingBooker’s annual list draws on internal booking data from the past year, along with overall angler interest and destination activity.
