Muskoka River – Brunel Locks

About this water

River fishing in the middle of cottage country — wade or paddle between pools and pockets that most boat anglers skip.

Moving river water linking several Muskoka lakes through a historic lock system. Calm pools alternate with faster current near the locks and falls. FMZ 15.

FMZ 15 regulations — Central Ontario — Parry Sound to Pembroke

A large inland zone in central and eastern Ontario, reaching from the Georgian Bay shoreline in the west to the Ottawa River valley in the east; Georgian Bay itself (FMZ 14) and the Ottawa River itself (FMZ 12) are separate zones. Its northern boundary follows the Pickerel River, Highway 522 and the northern edge of Algonquin Park. It contains many natural lake trout and brook trout lakes and Algonquin Provincial Park.

• Lake trout: Jan 1 – Sept 30; S-1/C-1 on most lakes.
• Smallmouth bass: fourth Saturday in June – Nov 30; S-4/C-2.
• Brook trout: 4th Sat in April – Sept 30 on most waters; S-5/C-2.
• Algonquin Park: park-specific rules — barbless hooks required, no live baitfish.

Zone check: FMZ 15 confirmed from this water's coordinates against the official Ontario zone boundaries (reviewed 2026-08-12).

Summary only — always confirm current seasons and limits on the Ontario MNRF FMZ 15 page before your trip.

Seasonal availability

Open-season windows for the species found at Muskoka River – Brunel Locks, taken from the FMZ 15 regulation summary. Green months are within a published open season — they are not a prediction of how well fish will bite.

No FMZ 15 season line published in our summary for: Walleye, Northern Pike. Check the official page before keeping these species.

Summary only, and seasons change annually. Confirm dates on the Ontario MNRF FMZ 15 page before your trip.

Fishing tips

• Cold, clear lakes — early ice-out lakers stay shallow for two weeks, then plummet.
• Algonquin brook trout responds to small streamers and slow-trolled spoons.
• Cast upstream and work the lure back with the current — bass sit behind boulders facing into the flow.
• Access: Free lots at the Brunel Locks and at the small park just south of the locks.

Gear setup

Setup:

Light spinning for river fish

Rod:

6'6" medium-light spinning rod

Reel:

Size 2000 spinning reel

Line:

8 lb fluorocarbon

Best bait:

Worms, Minnows, Crayfish

Best lures:

Inline spinners, Ned rigs, Small crankbaits, Jigs