Fishing from Shore - Ottawa

This is where it's all going on. One can ask for advice or general information or simply chew the fat about fishing tackle, tips, and locations.
Post Reply
User avatar
Shoreguy
Participant
Participant
Posts: 3
Joined: Wed Jul 20, 2016 9:58 am

Fishing from Shore - Ottawa

Post by Shoreguy »

Hi Guys,
I'm new to the forum and new to fishing in the Ottawa area in general. My son just turned 6 and I would like to take him fishing for Cats/Bass in the evenings.
We do not have a boat (yet). I would like some place with easy access, up to a 45 minute drive from Barrhaven area where I could take him once or twice a week where there action is good enough for a 6 year old. He actually has a lot of patience and it a bit of a natural. I'm loving the whole father/son fishing experience so far but we've only been able to go when renting a cottage. I would love to find a few hot spots that we could drive to from time to time. Any help is appreciated!

Thanks
User avatar
JoelE
Participant
Participant
Posts: 19
Joined: Sun Jun 05, 2016 3:49 pm

Re: Fishing from Shore - Ottawa

Post by JoelE »

Have you ever tried Dow's Lake? He can catch all kinds of fish bass, sunfish etc... All you need is a hook, worm and bobber.
User avatar
zippyfx
Silver Participant
Silver Participant
Posts: 973
Joined: Wed May 15, 2013 8:22 am

Re: Fishing from Shore - Ottawa

Post by zippyfx »

From Barrhaven the Kars boat launch is near by. There are pannies and rock bass (bounce a worm off the bottom at the edge of the north and south end of the launch)
User avatar
Walker
Silver Participant
Silver Participant
Posts: 580
Joined: Mon Oct 14, 2002 8:20 am
Location: Barrhaven

Re: Fishing from Shore - Ottawa

Post by Walker »

Try from the top of the Watson's Mill dam.Lots of perch and sunfish.
As the fish say
"DROP ME A LINE"

Mark
User avatar
scarkner
Silver Participant
Silver Participant
Posts: 816
Joined: Fri May 10, 2013 6:09 pm
Location: Ottawa
Contact:

Re: Fishing from Shore - Ottawa

Post by scarkner »

For big cats nothing beats the ottawa and kids love dragging those fish in (just be prepared to lose a lot of tackle). There are many places with easy parking and access including the britannia water treatment plant, britannia beach (rock pier), dick-bell park, deschene rapids look-out.

Setup that works well is to buy a jack-fish rig (or pickerel rig... but I find especially for kids that the jackfish tangles less). Buy a cheap pack of hooks with looped leaders already attached, about 6 inches long, number 4 to number 2 hooks. A big bell sinker weight (1/2 oz minimum, but I like 1oz). Put the weight on the bottom of the rig, pop two hooks onto the arms of the rig. Worms (or shrimp).

For the rocky-bottom ottawa river (as opposed to soft bottom Rideau) Cast out as far as you can and immediately reel in any slack so the tip of the rod is just bent a little, prop the rod on shore with the tip in the air and wait for it to jiggle indicating a bite (big cats will knock the whole rod over). Reef in an upwards direction to set the hook and then reel in with the rod tip held high in the air to reduce the chance that the weight/fish will tangle in the rocks. This is the hardest part for kids, keeping the fish off the bottom, but they get it pretty quick. Cats are biting pretty much constantly now, I am even catching them in the middle of the day.
User avatar
Piker
Participant
Participant
Posts: 62
Joined: Fri Apr 23, 2004 1:35 pm
Location: Nepean

Re: Fishing from Shore - Ottawa

Post by Piker »

Look in your own neighborhood. My son and I started in the Jock River.
User avatar
Shoreguy
Participant
Participant
Posts: 3
Joined: Wed Jul 20, 2016 9:58 am

Re: Fishing from Shore - Ottawa

Post by Shoreguy »

Thx for the Feedback.
I'm loving this site and forums, so much information.
We're hoping to find a cottage at some point but the shore will have to do for now!

How about Shirley's Bay - I was told it was a good location for Cats - can anybody validate this?

Thanks!
User avatar
curls
Bronze Participant
Bronze Participant
Posts: 428
Joined: Fri Jul 20, 2007 9:35 am
Location: Nepean

Re: Fishing from Shore - Ottawa

Post by curls »

My kids (7 & 10) and I have had a lot of luck lately using worms and bobbers under the Strandherd-Armstrong bridge. We caught 5 smallmouth (all 6-10" in size, mind you), in under an hour. My son even caught a crayfish on his worm, LOL! He thought it was the best thing ever.
You can part at Independent in Riverside south, or at the old folks home or on Barnstone on the Barrhaven side. Walk across towards the bridge (from either spot) and there's a path to go under the bridge.
The Barrhaven side is paved and is a busy but nice little bike/walk path. The Riverside south side isn't paved but isn't terribly steep.
User avatar
zippyfx
Silver Participant
Silver Participant
Posts: 973
Joined: Wed May 15, 2013 8:22 am

Re: Fishing from Shore - Ottawa

Post by zippyfx »

Shoreguy wrote:Thx for the Feedback.
I'm loving this site and forums, so much information.
We're hoping to find a cottage at some point but the shore will have to do for now!

How about Shirley's Bay - I was told it was a good location for Cats - can anybody validate this?

Thanks!
Shirley bay is good for adults... The water shallow along way out and and has lots of rocks to snag tackle. IMO, it will require casting and weights that are not conducive to a pleasurable experience for a 6 year old.
Post Reply