Finding My Happy Place: A Life in Fishing By Brittany McGovern
- New Wave Fishing Academy
- May 5
- 6 min read
Women In Angling: Brittany McGovern
Hi everyone! I’m Brittany McGovern, originally from Loretto, Ontario, and now living a little further north in Massey, Ontario. Fishing has always been a huge part of my life, and today, I want to share a little bit about my journey with you—how it started, what keeps me passionate, and where I hope to go next in this amazing world of angling.
A Life on the Water
Right now, I mainly consider myself a recreational angler, especially as my focus has shifted toward building a family. That said, my connection to the fishing world runs deep. Over the years, I’ve been affiliated with brands like American Baitworks (especially Freedom Tackle), Lubowski Lures, and Magz Manufacturing. When time allows, I still love participating in events like the Ontario Salmon Derby, although living in Northern Ontario has made the trip a bit trickier!
I’m incredibly proud to share that you’ll also see me featured on the front of the 2025 Ontario Fishing Regulations Summary, thanks to the talented Lisa Hughes, also known as The Canadian Outdoor Photographer. Through my social media, I love sharing knowledge with other anglers, encouraging ethical fishing practices, and, of course, sharing a good recipe whenever I’m lucky enough to harvest a catch!
How It All Began
My passion for fishing started thanks to my dad. He had four little girls but never let that stop him from passing on his love for the outdoors. As the oldest, I was the only one who truly took to it and kept that passion burning. I have fond memories of being so eager to fish that I once dug a trench in our front yard and filled an Easter basket with worms—so my dad could take me fishing right after work without any delays.
Why I Keep Coming Back
Fishing is an ever-evolving sport. No matter how much you know, there’s always something new to learn, and that’s something I thrive on in both my personal and professional life. I love the chase—the excitement of targeting new species, the patience, the strategy, and the reward when all your efforts finally pay off.
Beyond the technical side, fishing has gifted me incredible friendships and experiences. It remains something special I share with my dad, my husband, my in-laws, and close friends. Teaching my oldest nephew and seeing his passion grow has been especially rewarding. Someday, I can’t wait to pass this love onto children of my own.
Fishing is also my therapy. When life gets overwhelming, there’s nothing better than escaping into nature—on my kayak, boat, or even sitting on the ice—to decompress and find perspective.
Where I Fish and What I Chase
I take pride in being a true multi-species angler. Over the years, I’ve fished across different parts of Canada, mainly Ontario and Newfoundland, and even down south in Florida’s Gulf of Mexico.
During the winter, you’ll find me ice fishing for lake trout just five minutes from home or chasing walleye on Lake Nipissing. In the warmer months, I typically target salmon on Lake Ontario, bass, walleye and trout locally or up at our hunt camp two hours north in the Algoma District.
Muskie fishing holds a special place in my heart. I used to chase them almost exclusively on Lake St. Clair, and now, living near Manitoulin Island, I’m excited to get back into it with the incredible muskie waters nearby.
Hopes for the Future
One change I’d love to see in the fishing industry is a bit of a slowdown in technology. While sonar and similar tools have their place, I feel we’re losing some of the “adventure” and willingness to explore uncharted waters. We’re spending too much time glued to screens and not enough trusting our instincts.
I also hope for a more positive and supportive fishing community. While there are wonderful people out there, online forums can sometimes turn negative, making it hard for newcomers to feel welcome. Encouraging each other—whether we’re learning something new or mastering old skills—will only make our community stronger.
Personally, I want to continue sharing knowledge, learning from others, and getting more involved in conservation efforts, like volunteering with hatcheries.
Rising Above Challenges
One of my proudest accomplishments isn’t a single fish or a big tournament win—it’s my personal journey. A few years ago, life threw me some major challenges. I lost my boat, most of my gear, and the circle of people I fished with. Starting over wasn’t easy, but fishing gave me a path forward. I broadened my focus to multiple species, transitioned from boat to kayak fishing, and in the process, found some of the best friends and experiences of my life.
A personal highlight? Hooking into a muskie from my kayak! Even though it managed to shake free, the thrill of being dragged around by that fish and seeing it leap from the water right next to me was unforgettable. Thanks to my husband’s ingenuity, I now have a better muskie net setup and I’m determined to land one from the kayak this summer.
Facing Challenges as a Female Angler
Being a woman in a traditionally male-dominated sport has had its hurdles. I’ve been discredited, underestimated, and at times, assumed to be “just posing” for a photo. I’ll never forget the time an older gentleman chuckled at me while I was representing a brand at a show. Instead of taking it personally, I worked harder—connecting with others, sharing knowledge, and helping people find the right gear. By the end of the day, that same man apologized, and we shared some great fishing stories.
Thankfully, the tide is shifting. More and more, I see women being respected, celebrated, and genuinely supported in the fishing community, especially with the help of social media and outdoor brands promoting diversity.
Advice for Other Women Getting Into Fishing
If you’re a woman wanting to get into fishing, my advice is simple: connect. Follow anglers—both men and women—on social media, watch YouTube videos, and reach out! Some of my best fishing experiences started with a simple Instagram message.
There are fantastic groups and organizations hosting women-focused fishing events and education sessions. Every year, I help plan a ladies’ overnight ice fishing trip, and we love meeting new faces.
You don’t need top-of-the-line gear to start. I still use everything from Canadian Tire specials to high-end rod and reel combos. Do your research on rods, reels, and line based on the species you’re after, and take advantage of gear trade-in events like those at Cabela’s. Most importantly, have fun—and don’t let negative comments get you down.
Most importantly, make sure you know the local fishing regulations, be kind to yourself, and enjoy the incredible journey fishing has to offer.
Let’s Connect!
If you ever want to chat, ask questions, or even plan a fishing trip, I’d love to hear from you!
Connect with me on Instagram at @brittanymcgovernoutdoors and don’t be shy—my inbox is always open!
Women Who Love Fishing
Thank you fishing ladies! All the women of fishing who has participated in the "Women in Angling" blog series as well as everyone who reads, likes, or shares the profiles is contributing to making the sport more inclusive.
If you know women who love fishing, is a great ambassador for Women In Angling, or simply the outdoors lifestyle, that deserves to be recognized please reach out to us on any of our social media platforms so we can get in touch with them.
Women And Fishing Resources
Additional "women and fishing" resources and links for female fishing enthusiasts to connect:
Fishing For Ladies
New Wave Fishing Academy is an educational platform for the recreational fishing industry that allows everyone to learn how to catch fish; virtually. Not catching fish on outings is a sure way to keep new anglers from coming back to the sport BUT most who go fishing have no idea where to start or how to find success without HOURS of trial and error on the water that nobody has. Before you ever get to the water you can learn how to turn fishing trips into catching trips with our online fishing educational resources.
Click the link to Learn How To Fish!
To experience a day of fishing on the water with us be sure to check out our YouTube channel at the link below.
Women In Angling History
When New Wave Fishing Academy was started it was based around the mission of helping everyone become more successful anglers and especially those who do not have the family, friends, or easily accessible opportunities to push them into the sport! From critics online challenging their skills as anglers, to talking down or belittling their accomplishments, there are a lot of unnecessary hurdles for women and young girls to get into fishing. These hurdles are not set up by those that represent the majority of the members in the industry but unfortunately they are often the loudest voice.
To combat this we started the "Women In Angling" blog series in 2022 to celebrate the women who love fishing, highlight female ambassadors and role models for the sport of fishing, and share their stories for those that just need a little push or someone to look towards to get into this sport we all love!
To read all of the amazing Women In Angling profiles click the link below:
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