Freshwater Phil
Status: enriched
Phil has built a reputation as Montreal's go-to generalist guide, operating across the St. Lawrence River, Lac St. Louis, Lac St. François, and the Eastern Townships since establishing his practice. His year cycles through distinct seasons: late April through mid-August targeting trout and landlocked salmon with trolling and finesse jigging in the upper Laurentians and spring creeks; summer months pivoting to bass, musky, pike, and walleye across the broader St. Lawrence system; and mid-December through March offering ice fishing for trout, panfish, walleye, and pike. He combines traditional techniques with modern electronics to locate fish in both open water and under ice, making him a versatile operator across Montreal's diverse freshwater fishery.
Details
- Species: Brown Trout, Red Salmon, Australian Bass, Musky, Northern Pike, Walleye, American Shad, Sturgeon
- Tags: Intermediate, Advanced, Drift Boat, Shore / Wade Only, Fly Fishing, Spin Fishing, Wade Fishing, Trolling, Year-Round, Streamer, Wade Trip, Float Trip, Instructional, Catch & Release, Gear Provided, Flies / Lures Provided, Freshwater
Waters Serviced (2)
| Destination | Type |
|---|---|
| Quebec | state |
| Canada | country |
Raw guide data (JSON)
{
"id": "51676059-84ab-44aa-84e3-c5f114a969cf",
"organizationId": "f3a9cd56-bf86-4e5c-a821-1fab1f2b0821",
"name": "Freshwater Phil",
"guideName": "Phil",
"slug": "freshwater-phil",
"bio": "Phil has built a reputation as Montreal's go-to generalist guide, operating across the St. Lawrence River, Lac St. Louis, Lac St. François, and the Eastern Townships since establishing his practice. His year cycles through distinct seasons: late April through mid-August targeting trout and landlocked salmon with trolling and finesse jigging in the upper Laurentians and spring creeks; summer months pivoting to bass, musky, pike, and walleye across the broader St. Lawrence system; and mid-December through March offering ice fishing for trout, panfish, walleye, and pike. He combines traditional techniques with modern electronics to locate fish in both open water and under ice, making him a versatile operator across Montreal's diverse freshwater fishery.",
"yearsExperience": null,
"descriptionShort": "Freshwater Phil is a Montreal-based multi-species guide operating across the St. Lawrence River system, Lac St. Louis, and the Eastern Townships. He specializes in seasonal rotation—spring trout and salmon, summer bass and musky, and winter ice fishing—using trolling, finesse jigging, fly, and conventional techniques.",
"descriptionLong": null,
"editorialPitch": "Phil transforms Montreal's overlooked urban waterways into a year-round fishing playground—from spring trout on the Eastern Townships to winter walleye through the ice, he reads the seasonal rhythms that most anglers miss.",
"fishinessRating": 4,
"rating": null,
"reviewCount": 0,
"vertical": "guide_service",
"isOutfitter": false,
"hasMultipleGuides": false,
"guideType": "multi_species",
"tripStyle": "serious_angler",
"fishingTypes": [
"trolling",
"casting",
"finesse jigging",
"fly fishing",
"ice fishing",
"wade fishing",
"still fishing",
"drift boat"
],
"bestFor": [
"freshwater",
"intermediate",
"advanced",
"fly-fishing",
"catch-and-release",
"accessible"
],
"hasGoogleMaps": true,
"qualityTier": "good",
"thinData": false,
"possiblyClosed": false,
"city": "Montreal",
"stateProvince": "QC",
"countryCode": "CA",
"country": "CA",
"timezone": "UTC-4",
"canonicalUrl": "https://freshwaterphil.com/trout-fishing-guides-montreal.cfm",
"tripAdvisorUrl": null,
"googleMapsUrl": "https://maps.google.com/?cid=15056969179178683910&g_mp=CiVnb29nbGUubWFwcy5wbGFjZXMudjEuUGxhY2VzLkdldFBsYWNlEAIYBCAA",
"openMonths": [
4,
5,
6,
7,
8,
9,
10,
11,
12,
1,
2,
3
],
"peakMonths": [
5,
6,
7,
8
],
"fishingSeasonsNarrative": "My guiding year kicks off in late April with the opening of the trout fishing season in the Montreal region, focusing on the Eastern Townships and the upper Laurentians. This early spring period is ideal for trolling with light gear, streamers, small spoons, and crankbaits. As the season progresses into summer, trout move deeper, and I switch to finesse jigging techniques, utilizing advanced electronics to pinpoint them. The trout and landlocked salmon fishing season runs through mid-August, with the season closing in early September. For those seeking different quarry, the warmer months are prime for bass, musky, pike, and walleye fishing in the various waterways around Montreal, including the St. Lawrence River and its tributaries. Ice fishing is also a significant part of my year, offering opportunities for trout, panfish, bass, walleye, and pike from mid-December through March.",
"meetingPoint": null,
"providesGear": true,
"gearNotes": "Phil provides all rods, reels, tackle, and specialized gear for the target species and season. Clients should bring warm clothing appropriate to the season; winter trips require insulated outerwear and footwear.",
"kidFriendly": null,
"skillLevel": null,
"cancellationPolicy": null,
"licenseInfo": null,
"whatToExpect": "Trips vary by season and target species. Spring outings focus on the Eastern Townships and upper Laurentians with light trolling and streamer presentations for trout and salmon. Summer days rotate between the St. Lawrence River system and regional lakes for bass, musky, and pike using casting and jigging. Winter trips operate from established ice-fishing locations mid-December through March. All trips include instruction on seasonal techniques and electronics-assisted fish location.",
"status": "enriched",
"profileTier": "standard",
"pipelineId": 538,
"createdAt": "2026-06-15T20:49:23.697Z",
"updatedAt": "2026-06-15T20:49:23.697Z",
"credentials": [],
"geom": {
"type": "Point",
"coordinates": [
-73.5122939,
45.5411792
]
},
"tags": [
{
"slug": "intermediate",
"name": "Intermediate",
"tagType": "ability"
},
{
"slug": "advanced",
"name": "Advanced",
"tagType": "ability"
},
{
"slug": "drift-boat",
"name": "Drift Boat",
"tagType": "boat_type"
},
{
"slug": "shore-only",
"name": "Shore / Wade Only",
"tagType": "boat_type"
},
{
"slug": "fly-fishing",
"name": "Fly Fishing",
"tagType": "fishing_style"
},
{
"slug": "spin-fishing",
"name": "Spin Fishing",
"tagType": "fishing_style"
},
{
"slug": "wade-fishing",
"name": "Wade Fishing",
"tagType": "fishing_style"
},
{
"slug": "trolling",
"name": "Trolling",
"tagType": "fishing_style"
},
{
"slug": "year-round",
"name": "Year-Round",
"tagType": "season"
},
{
"slug": "streamer",
"name": "Streamer",
"tagType": "technique"
},
{
"slug": "wade-trip",
"name": "Wade Trip",
"tagType": "trip_format"
},
{
"slug": "float-trip",
"name": "Float Trip",
"tagType": "trip_format"
},
{
"slug": "instructional",
"name": "Instructional",
"tagType": "trip_format"
},
{
"slug": "catch-and-release",
"name": "Catch & Release",
"tagType": "trip_format"
},
{
"slug": "gear-provided",
"name": "Gear Provided",
"tagType": "trip_inclusion"
},
{
"slug": "flies-provided",
"name": "Flies / Lures Provided",
"tagType": "trip_inclusion"
},
{
"slug": "freshwater",
"name": "Freshwater",
"tagType": "water_type"
}
],
"faqs": [],
"destinations": [
{
"slug": "quebec",
"name": "Quebec",
"type": "state",
"primary": true,
"confirmed": true,
"relationship": "in_region",
"distanceMeters": null
},
{
"slug": "canada",
"name": "Canada",
"type": "country",
"primary": false,
"confirmed": true,
"relationship": "in_region",
"distanceMeters": null
}
],
"primaryDestinationSlug": "quebec",
"accommodations": [],
"species": [
{
"slug": "brown-trout",
"commonName": "Brown Trout",
"category": "freshwater",
"availableMonths": [
4,
5,
6,
7,
8
],
"peakMonths": [
4,
5,
6,
7
],
"seasonalityNotes": "Trout fishing season opens in late April and runs through mid-August. Early spring is best for trolling with light gear, streamers, and small spoons. As summer progresses, trout move deeper, requiring finesse jigging techniques.",
"notes": null
},
{
"slug": "red-salmon",
"commonName": "Red Salmon",
"category": "anadromous",
"availableMonths": [
4,
5,
6,
7,
8
],
"peakMonths": [
4,
5,
6,
7
],
"seasonalityNotes": "Landlocked salmon are available from late April through mid-August, with early spring offering good trolling opportunities.",
"notes": null
},
{
"slug": "australian-bass",
"commonName": "Australian Bass",
"category": "freshwater",
"availableMonths": [
6,
7,
8,
9,
10,
11
],
"peakMonths": [
6,
7,
8,
9
],
"seasonalityNotes": "Bass fishing season opens in mid-June after the spawn and continues through the open water season until winter. Techniques include casting or finesse fishing with drop shot rigs or tube jigs. Expect bass up to 4 lbs, with some waters producing 6+ lb fish.",
"notes": null
},
{
"slug": "musky",
"commonName": "Musky",
"category": "freshwater",
"availableMonths": [
6,
7,
8,
9,
10,
11
],
"peakMonths": [
7,
8,
9,
10,
11
],
"seasonalityNotes": "Musky fishing is available from mid-June through late November. Guides specialize in targeting these predators with oversized lures for trolling or casting, with the potential for 50+ inch giants.",
"notes": null
},
{
"slug": "northern-pike",
"commonName": "Northern Pike",
"category": "freshwater",
"availableMonths": [
5,
6,
7,
8,
9,
10,
11,
12,
1,
2,
3
],
"peakMonths": [
5,
6,
7,
8,
9,
10,
11
],
"seasonalityNotes": "Pike fishing is available from May through November, and also during the winter ice fishing season. They are abundant and often caught while targeting other species, providing a ferocious fight for their size.",
"notes": null
},
{
"slug": "walleye",
"commonName": "Walleye",
"category": "freshwater",
"availableMonths": [
5,
6,
7,
8,
9,
10,
11,
12,
1,
2,
3
],
"peakMonths": [
5,
6,
7,
8,
9,
10,
11
],
"seasonalityNotes": "Walleye fishing opens in mid-May after the spawn and continues through the open water season until winter, with ice fishing also available. Expect walleye in the 2 lb range, with opportunities for giants up to 9 lbs. Techniques include trolling, jigging, drifting, casting, or finesse fishing.",
"notes": null
},
{
"slug": "american-shad",
"commonName": "American Shad",
"category": "anadromous",
"availableMonths": [
5,
6
],
"peakMonths": [
5,
6
],
"seasonalityNotes": "The American shad run near Montreal typically starts around mid-May and ends by mid-June. They are caught by drifting dart jigs in the current, with daily catches of 100+ fish in the 3-6 lbs range being common.",
"notes": null
},
{
"slug": "sturgeon",
"commonName": "Sturgeon",
"category": "freshwater",
"availableMonths": [
6,
7,
8,
9,
10
],
"peakMonths": [
8,
9,
10
],
"seasonalityNotes": "Sturgeon fishing season opens in mid-June, with guided outings typically starting in August and improving until the season closes on October 31st. They are still fished with live worms and provide a tough fight.",
"notes": null
}
],
"reviews": [],
"avgRating": null,
"imageUrl": "https://media.meridiaoutdoors.com/media/organization/freshwater-phil/hero.webp",
"photos": [
{
"url": "https://media.meridiaoutdoors.com/media/organization/freshwater-phil/hero.webp",
"altText": "Baiting needle with a yellow handle on a white background.",
"caption": null,
"sortOrder": 0,
"purpose": "hero",
"category": null
},
{
"url": "https://media.meridiaoutdoors.com/media/organization/freshwater-phil/gallery-001.webp",
"altText": "Angler in a blue jacket holding a large rainbow trout in a snowy forest.",
"caption": null,
"sortOrder": 1,
"purpose": "gallery",
"category": "action"
},
{
"url": "https://media.meridiaoutdoors.com/media/organization/freshwater-phil/gallery-002.webp",
"altText": "Child in a pink hat holding a small trout on an icy lake.",
"caption": null,
"sortOrder": 2,
"purpose": "gallery",
"category": "action"
},
{
"url": "https://media.meridiaoutdoors.com/media/organization/freshwater-phil/gallery-003.webp",
"altText": "Angler in a winter coat holding a white perch on a frozen lake.",
"caption": null,
"sortOrder": 3,
"purpose": "gallery",
"category": "action"
},
{
"url": "https://media.meridiaoutdoors.com/media/organization/freshwater-phil/gallery-004.webp",
"altText": "Angler in a winter coat holding a largemouth bass on a frozen lake.",
"caption": null,
"sortOrder": 4,
"purpose": "gallery",
"category": "action"
},
{
"url": "https://media.meridiaoutdoors.com/media/organization/freshwater-phil/gallery-005.webp",
"altText": "Angler in a winter coat holding a northern pike on a frozen lake.",
"caption": null,
"sortOrder": 5,
"purpose": "gallery",
"category": "action"
},
{
"url": "https://media.meridiaoutdoors.com/media/organization/freshwater-phil/gallery-006.webp",
"altText": "Angler in a green beer mug hat holding two walleye on a frozen lake.",
"caption": null,
"sortOrder": 6,
"purpose": "gallery",
"category": "action"
},
{
"url": "https://media.meridiaoutdoors.com/media/organization/freshwater-phil/gallery-007.webp",
"altText": "Angler in sunglasses holding a large musky in a boat on a lake.",
"caption": null,
"sortOrder": 7,
"purpose": "gallery",
"category": "action"
},
{
"url": "https://media.meridiaoutdoors.com/media/organization/freshwater-phil/gallery-008.webp",
"altText": "Angler in a cap and sunglasses holding a smallmouth bass in a boat.",
"caption": null,
"sortOrder": 8,
"purpose": "gallery",
"category": "action"
},
{
"url": "https://media.meridiaoutdoors.com/media/organization/freshwater-phil/gallery-009.webp",
"altText": "Angler in sunglasses holding a large sturgeon in a boat.",
"caption": null,
"sortOrder": 9,
"purpose": "gallery",
"category": "action"
},
{
"url": "https://media.meridiaoutdoors.com/media/organization/freshwater-phil/gallery-010.webp",
"altText": "Angler in sunglasses holding a common carp by a canal.",
"caption": null,
"sortOrder": 10,
"purpose": "gallery",
"category": "action"
},
{
"url": "https://media.meridiaoutdoors.com/media/organization/freshwater-phil/gallery-011.webp",
"altText": "Two anglers holding a large channel catfish at night.",
"caption": null,
"sortOrder": 11,
"purpose": "gallery",
"category": "action"
},
{
"url": "https://media.meridiaoutdoors.com/media/organization/freshwater-phil/gallery-012.webp",
"altText": "Angler in waders and a face mask holding a northern pike in a river.",
"caption": null,
"sortOrder": 12,
"purpose": "gallery",
"category": "action"
},
{
"url": "https://media.meridiaoutdoors.com/media/organization/freshwater-phil/gallery-013.webp",
"altText": "Angler in a cap holding a large Chinook salmon in a boat.",
"caption": null,
"sortOrder": 13,
"purpose": "gallery",
"category": "action"
},
{
"url": "https://media.meridiaoutdoors.com/media/organization/freshwater-phil/gallery-014.webp",
"altText": "Two anglers holding a large musky in a boat on a sunny day.",
"caption": null,
"sortOrder": 14,
"purpose": "gallery",
"category": "action"
},
{
"url": "https://media.meridiaoutdoors.com/media/organization/freshwater-phil/gallery-015.webp",
"altText": "Child in a boat holding a largemouth bass with a lure in its mouth.",
"caption": null,
"sortOrder": 15,
"purpose": "gallery",
"category": "action"
},
{
"url": "https://media.meridiaoutdoors.com/media/organization/freshwater-phil/gallery-016.webp",
"altText": "Man with a beard sitting on a red chair on a wooden dock by a lake.",
"caption": null,
"sortOrder": 16,
"purpose": "gallery",
"category": "environment"
},
{
"url": "https://media.meridiaoutdoors.com/media/organization/freshwater-phil/gallery-017.webp",
"altText": "Calm lake surrounded by a forest with a small beach in the foreground.",
"caption": null,
"sortOrder": 17,
"purpose": "gallery",
"category": "environment"
},
{
"url": "https://media.meridiaoutdoors.com/media/organization/freshwater-phil/gallery-018.webp",
"altText": "Red cabin with a screened porch and a car parked outside in a grassy area.",
"caption": null,
"sortOrder": 18,
"purpose": "gallery",
"category": "environment"
},
{
"url": "https://media.meridiaoutdoors.com/media/organization/freshwater-phil/gallery-019.webp",
"altText": "Moose and a calf grazing at the edge of a lake with green foliage.",
"caption": null,
"sortOrder": 19,
"purpose": "gallery",
"category": "environment"
},
{
"url": "https://media.meridiaoutdoors.com/media/organization/freshwater-phil/gallery-020.webp",
"altText": "Angler in a cowboy hat and life vest in a boat on a lake at sunset.",
"caption": null,
"sortOrder": 20,
"purpose": "gallery",
"category": "environment"
},
{
"url": "https://media.meridiaoutdoors.com/media/organization/freshwater-phil/gallery-021.webp",
"altText": "Assortment of colorful fishing lures and soft plastics on a blue mat.",
"caption": null,
"sortOrder": 21,
"purpose": "gallery",
"category": "gear"
},
{
"url": "https://media.meridiaoutdoors.com/media/organization/freshwater-phil/gallery-022.webp",
"altText": "Blue float tube with 'Teton' branding on a wooden dock.",
"caption": null,
"sortOrder": 22,
"purpose": "gallery",
"category": "gear"
},
{
"url": "https://media.meridiaoutdoors.com/media/organization/freshwater-phil/gallery-023.webp",
"altText": "Hair rig with a round orange boilie bait held in a person's palm.",
"caption": null,
"sortOrder": 23,
"purpose": "gallery",
"category": "gear"
},
{
"url": "https://media.meridiaoutdoors.com/media/organization/freshwater-phil/gallery-024.webp",
"altText": "Green float tube with tackle bags and fins on a muddy bank.",
"caption": null,
"sortOrder": 24,
"purpose": "gallery",
"category": "gear"
},
{
"url": "https://media.meridiaoutdoors.com/media/organization/freshwater-phil/gallery-025.webp",
"altText": "Yellow plastic frame filled with small bait stops for fishing.",
"caption": null,
"sortOrder": 25,
"purpose": "gallery",
"category": "gear"
},
{
"url": "https://media.meridiaoutdoors.com/media/organization/freshwater-phil/gallery-026.webp",
"altText": "Two children standing in a wooden lodge with a 'Shannon Lake Lodge' sign and fish mounts.",
"caption": null,
"sortOrder": 26,
"purpose": "gallery",
"category": "branding"
}
]
}