Summer Fishing
When late June rolls around, eager bass anglers show up at every launch site between Ottawa and Kingston. The Rideau has been a famous bass fishery for more than 100 years. In fact, it's certain that the hard-working canal-builders enjoyed many a meal of freshly caught smallmouth or largemouth bass. And no wonder - the bass were plentiful then, and they're still plentiful now.
A few tips - these may seem obvious, but they'll save some frustration. First, after the end of June, boating traffic picks up. No problem - just find a quiet spot out of the main channel. For example, Kemptville Creek doesn't get much traffic, it's reasonably deep, and there are some great lilypad beds on both sides of the creek. If you're patient and would like to try "flipping" a plastic worm or a weedless jig among the pads, you can get some heart-stopping action. This is especially true if you happen to hook a musky or a large pike. Just hang on and hope for the best.
In addition, the central Rideau lakes are renown for their fantastic Large Mouth Bass fishing. These lakes offer excellent fishing in the many bays and areas off the navigation channels. The peace and quiet of the lakes offers the angler a wonderful opportunity to get away from it all and simply enjoy the experience of fishing.
Second, try fishing in the evening. After about five or six in the evening on weekends or during the week, you may have much of the river to yourself. If it's been breezy during the day, the wind usually drops in the evening. This is a very pleasant time to be on the water, watching the sky turn red in the west, and feeling the old blood pressure dropping. Besides, the fishing is often better at dusk, as the walleye, pike, and musky start prowling the big weed flats. I like to start with a double-bladed spinnerbait run just under the surface, "yo-yoing" it up and down into the holes in the weeds. A crankbait run along the channel edge is always good. finally, when in doubt, try a Texas-rigged plastic worm - blue-black, watermelon, motor oil, or Tennessee Shad are good colours for me.
Third, wait for a rainy day if you can. This keeps down the boating traffic and also really turns on the fish.
Fourth, try trolling along the channel edge. You'd be amazed at the number of fish that you can pick up running a crawfish-coloured Fat Rap - everything from bass to musky. In fact, I think that I do much better on musky by staying away from the heavy lumber ( small firewood ) lures that I see a lot of people using. These fish aren't stupid - catch and release them a few times, and they're VERY cautious about chasing down the standard musky fare. On the other hand, you get a lot of exercise flinging the big lures around, if you're a die-hard casting person. Like I said - try trolling.
Fifth, take along some minnows, worms, or an ultra-light spinning outfit and your children. They can catch a ton of perch, crappie, bluegills, and usually some walleye. Make yourself a hero to your own family - when you're old, you'll never be kicking yourself for all the time you wasted with your kids.
Daily limits are six fish for both pike and walleye. Minimum lengths ? For pike, there isn 't one, but most people release them anyway. Over 24 inches, they are big enough to take the time to fillet.For walleye, the general minimum length is 13 . 8 inches ( 35 cm ), but there are a number of lakes in the Corridor with slot limits. Better read the 2000 Ontario Sport Fishing Regulations carefully.
By the way, there 's some excellent fishing in Dow's Lake right in downtown Ottawa. Try around Brewer's Park- a little down from the Bronson Street bridge.
http://www.rideaufriends.com/fishing.html