5 Canadian fishing holes

3. Manitoba/Knee Lake
Four hundred miles north of Winnipeg, Manitoba, Knee Lake stretches for 50 miles, as wide as five miles in some areas. Bays, reefs, islands and weedbeds help create an idyllic fishing atmosphere. Northern pike, whitefish, lake trout, perch and walleye are plentiful here.

For Manitoba's fishing regulations, visit:
click here

4. British Columbia/Oak Bay Marine Group
The Oak Bay Marine Group operates two resorts on Campbell River, April Point (on Quadra Island) and Painter's Lodge, with the ripple benefit that visitors can play in both. April Point Resort and Spa is built on the original settlement of fishermen's cabins; a 10-minute water taxi ride takes you across to Painter's Lodge. Sheltered by the mainland, these resorts offer spectacular salmon fishing in calm waters.

In June every year, Painter's Lodge plays host to a women's-only fishing derby. More than 100 women flock in from all over North America for the four-day derby.

For British Columbia's fishing regulations, visit:
www.bcfishing.com

5. Alberta/Bow River
Alberta boasts 600 lakes, bursting with pike, perch, walleye, lake trout and Arctic grayling. But Calgarians know they can find a quick escape along the Bow River which threads its way through the bustling city of Calgary. The Bow River begins at Bow Glacier in Jasper National Park and continues through Banff and Canmore, into Calgary.

For Alberta's Guide to Sport Fishing Regulations, visit: www.albertaoutdoorsmen.org

BONUS -- The Best Place in Canada to Fish
Where is the very best fishing hole in the country? Calgarians have it right. The best fishing hole is the one most conveniently located near you, says Terri MacKinnon of Fishergirl.com. In a difficult phase of her life, MacKinnon recalls thinking that if she had one day left to live, she would spend it fishing with her family.

What would she want to catch? That's not relevant, she says. Fishing serves as a kind of meditation. The Henry David Thoreau quotation of MacKinnon's website sums up her fishing philosophy: "Many men go fishing their entire lives without knowing it is not fish they are after."

The bottom line? Regardless of where you live, fishing doesn't have to be about landing the big one. It can be all about relaxing and connecting with yourself.

Check out your city website and the local travel and tourism office to find fishing spots in your province.

Cyber fishing for links:
Wild Women Expeditions
www.wildwomenexp.com

Fishergirl.com
www.fishergirl.com/

Note: 10 per cent of all Fishergirl.com sales are donated to breast cancer research. Check out the Special Edition Breast Cancer Survival Rod & Starter Fishing Kit or Survival Rod; 50 per cent of the profit from these rods goes to breast cancer research.

Outoaouis Region
www.outdooroutaouais.com/home/index_e.html

Oak Bay Marine Group
www.obmg.com

Tuckamore Lodge
www.tuckamorelodge.com