The Canadian Grand Slam, catching the primary four species in a single trip, is routinely talked about and aspired to, but the actual definition changes from place-to-place. Walleye, Northern Pike, Lake Trout are generally on everyone's list, but the fourth species may vary bewteen smallmouth bass in NW Ontario, to brook trout in the east and near Hudson Bay, to arctic grayling in the far north. While many lakes offer two or three species, achieving the full slam usually requires a trip to specific lakes or regions, where unique watersheds provide the perfect mix of deep cold basins for trout and fertile bays for pike, along with warm enough water for smallmouth bass, cool moving water for brookies, or pristine sub-arctic rivers for grayling.

To prepare for a Grand Slam attempt, your your approach and your tackle box both need to be versatile. You may use everything from 1/8 oz jigs to 2 oz spoons, and you may fish shallow rapids, weedy bays, and deep structure. A multi-species approach also means bringing a variety of rods equipped with reels and line appropriate to the task. Many anglers find success by booking a 'lodge and outpost' combo, where they spend a few days on a main lake for lakers and walleye, then take a short river excursion for brook trout or grayling. It is a true test of an angler's skill and adaptability to the diverse environments found across the Canadian wilderness. 

There are many other sportfish species available in Canadian waters, so feel free to construct your own grand slam for the waterbody you're on – you may choose to swap out one or two of the standard species for muskie, sturgeon, whitefish or whatever else your lake features. Whatever your grand slam includes, the pursuit of multiple species often adds to the enjoyment of a trip, keeps each day fresh, and provides another angle on "success."