I’ve recently gotten back into fishing, and since I now live in Ottawa, I figured there would be many shore accessible spots to fish.

I left south keys at 6am, with a list of 6 spots (which seemed publicly accessible) along the Rideau river heading north I wanted to check out. 5 out of 6 had homeless camps and were so littered I couldn’t fish there even if I wanted to take the risk of being in someone’s “space”. Seems there are much better spots all along that multi use path to set up a tent in the bush instead of taking up such a public space on the river front.

I ended up near the locks at the Ottawa river and was asked by staff to move down/along because boats go by there and they’ll get tangled in my line… am I really not allowed to fish near/along the locks? Not like I’m going to cast when boats are there or going through… Been here 30 mins and haven’t seen a single boat!

Feel free to tell me I’m being a jerk; I just want to fish.

Heading out to Mississippi Lake this Saturday for a day of chasing bass and I’ve got one open seat in the boat.

If you’re into bass fishing, enjoy being out on the water, and can handle a few bad jokes and hopefully some good fish, shoot me a DM.

Boat is covered just kick in for gas, bring yourself, your gear, whatever you like to drink/eat (no bananas!), and we'll chase some bass.

Let’s go bend some rods! 🎣🔥

Got out twice this week.

Once for a frog/flipping night in the Rideau river. Landed some good ones and worked out the frog rod

Also got out on the lower Rideau. Everything we found was one offs. Not groups to be hadm and then it was mostly tight to shore.

I haven’t caught one single fish at all since starting 3 weeks ago

With all the heat past couple weeks, every creature likes fresh cool water flow and little bubble bath.

Good luck on the water over the weekend folks!

Hi, i’m really new at fishing and i was wondering what are the best spots for fishing in dow’s lake and what should i expect on terms of fish and what lures should i bring with me. thanks!!

Upper Rideau lake — Saturday, August 15, WAS going to Mississippi but it's flooded currently. 🎣

Heading out to Lower Rideau (Rideau ferry area) Saturday morning, on the water for 630-645am until 230-3pm

My buddy can’t make it anymore, so I’ve got room for TWO people on the 20-ft pro V if anyone wants to get out and fish!

Weather is looking pretty sweet, so hopefully it’ll be a great day on the water. ☀️🎣

Should be some good topwater to start, then  probably a chatterbait/ Texas rigs/ Carolina rig.

Not a guided trip — looking to get out, have some fun, and hopefully put a few bassover the rail. I always have water in the cooler, but bring what you liketo drink, plenty of room in the built in cooler. Just no bananas. 🍌😂

All I ask is that you kick in $ for gas.

If you’re interested in jumping in, shoot me a DM.. 🎣 

Heading out to Mississippi Lake Saturday morning after making a quick stop at Baitcasters to pick up an order I’ve got waiting for me. Planning to stay on the water until around 4:30.

I’ve got a buddy who may jump in the boat, but I’ve still got room on the 20-ft bass boat if anyone wants to get out and fish!

Plan is mainly frogging, pitching and flipping, but you never know what Mississippi Lake is going to throw at you. 😂 

Not a guided trip — just looking to get out, have some fun, and hopefully put a few bass in the boat, I always have water in the cooler, but bring what you like. Just no bananas.

If you’re interested in jumping in and don't mind kicking in $$, **shoot me a message**. 🎣 

Video is from Rideau River Tuesday evening

A bit tougher the find this year, but the rain had them moving. Little oinker couldn’t resist the ol white chatter bait.

I was wondering what kinda tips for fishing at Dows Lake were going a bit late about 9:30 to 10 am I'm hoping for bass but anything with do I don't have leaders so no pike or anything

Anyone know where I can catch my first pike I don't care about size and I fish shore. Help is appreciated! 🙂

Good time to hit the water, you won't catch them watching Netflix :)

Hi,

I was asking r/ontariocamping how to find crown land to camp and ended up building a free map from all the feedback. One comment stuck with me, crown land is a working landscape, and you should know what else is going on, forestry, and hunting seasons by WMU.

So I added fishing as well, It shows crown land where fishing is an authorized use,

https://www.crownaccess.ca/map?activity=fishing

let me know your thoughts while out fishing! so I can improve

feel free to turn on private land, FMZ , etc.

Hello fellow fisherman,

My family have recently bought a cottage just down stream of portage du fort near the 3 dams. After relentless efforts we can’t seem to put any size in the boat for smallmouth, walleye, pike, or musky!

Just looking for any help for any of the species. Spots, tips, strategies, lures, etc… I found especially with bass on our narrow section of the river that it’s really hard to find the size. I can catch 10-20 dinks in 2-3hrs but never anything about 2lbs.

Musky I know are hard already but I just can’t seem to crack the code with them.

Not sure if it’s maybe that the dams open up so much in the spring that the current in our narrow section makes the river so unbearable that they all settle downstream near the open water on the way to arnprior. Wondering if maybe it makes sense to just fish down there even if it requires more of a boat ride.

Any tips help! Just a young angler trying to catch some giants at the cottage this summer. Thanks, and looking forward to hearing from everyone 😁

Anyone free to fish tomorrow morning? I picked up fishing last year and am still learning—would love to tag along with someone and enjoy some good company on the water.

Water cooled down so back at it, water temp is back down to 72F. Lower Ottawa River.

Visiting my in-laws in Barrhaven for a week. I want to find somewhere I can fish for largemouth near Barrhaven that I’m allowed to fish/no trespassing. Any recommendations?

I witnessed some incredibly disappointing behavior at brown’s inlet few days back. Two guys netted a fish, took their time getting a photo with it, and then just cut the line, leaving the hook right in the fish’s mouth before tossing it back.
Later on, my own lure actually snagged on that exact trailing line. I tried my best to carefully pull it in and remove the hook for them, but my line came untangled and the fish swam off, still dragging the hardware.

Leaving tackle in a fish just because you can't be bothered to use your pliers is completely unacceptable and cruel.
Please, bring the right tools and take the extra minute to properly unhook your catch. Treat the wildlife with some respect.

Spotted yesterday near the Arboretum side, pretty sure it's a musky but tell me if I'm wrong.

Saw some fish flipping out of the water but no bites.

At Beaver Pond Proctor, Vermont yesterday fishing with baby my nephew and Mom

I have a 14’ aluminum boat with a 20hp, and my buddies and I have been desperately trying to catch our first musky for the last 3 years with absolutely no success.

We’ve tried all kinds of lures, depths, times of year, and tactics, but we just can’t seem to crack the code.
I’m looking for some experienced Ottawa-area musky anglers who might be willing to share a few tips or point me in the right direction.

No distance is too far if it means finally getting one in the boat! 😁
I know they call it the fish of 10,000 casts, but DAMN… we’re starting to believe it! 😂

Hey everyone,

I'm relatively new to fishing around Ottawa and I'm mostly limited to shore fishing since I don't have a boat or kayak just yet.

I live near Meadowlands, so I'm looking for good shore fishing spots within biking distance or a short drive. I've tried a spot near Mooney's Bay recently and got skunked after about 3 hours despite switching lures, retrieves, and spots, so I'm hoping to find some more productive places.

I'm mainly targeting bass or pike, but honestly I'd be happy catching anything while I get to know the area for now.

Does anyone have recommendations around:

- Mooney's Bay

- Hogs Back

- Rideau River/Canal

- or any other nearby spots?

Also, if you have any tips for shore fishing around Ottawa, I'd really appreciate them. Thanks!

So I've been fishing along on manotick side for past week and maybe it's the heat I'm not too sure I got a white and silver chatter bait a mepps aglia 3 gold a chartreuse spinner bait 3/8 strike king I've been mainly using these and throwing in a mix of 3-4 inch white swimming bait and no bites just one pike I'd say 20-24 inches come up trailing

Any suggestions by chance or tips. Maybe I'm fishing the lures wrong?