Pontiac Bay or Shirleys Bay

[Badger Shark]

Hi Hawk talkers, does anyone fish pontiac bay or shirleys bay, I keep hearing these are two great places to fish for multiple species. I also hear that pontiac is really rocky and you have to be careful.

[ady]

Pontiac bay can give you a fun filled day but as you say, the entrance can be troublesome. In fact from Quyon up the Ottawa is not a place for those without charts and a good sonar and preferably a gps. Some locals with many years of knowledge have lost lower units on this stretch. The main problem is that when the logging industry left, they dismantled many of the booms and cradles but not completely. There are 'only just' submerged cradles throughout this strecth in the middle of the river. Deadheads are every where. There are major shoals around Alexandra Is and down the centre of Fitzroy harbour. The entrance to Pontiac is shallow with scattered rock piles. Once in there the fishing can be very productive but it's not a speed area until you get down by the Timmies camp. Gets charts and take care.

[Badger Shark]

Thanks Ady Clown and I may just give it a try next Sunday. If you are around look for us we will be in an alumacraft with a 75 merc optimax. I have a gps and blue nav software that has very detailed stuff like depth avg. and underwater obstructions I hope its good cause i dont want to damage my motor.

[Flipper]

Ady is spot on. Be very careful going in and then some.
The charts don't show Pontiac Bay very well. Go slow with the trim up and keep a sharp eye forward aswell as the depth finder. There are shoals, rocks and deadheads to contend with. One of the sailing clubs puts in marker bouys and be sure to stay inside them when the big motor is running.
That bay has cost me a several hundred in prop repairs over the last couple of decades.
But I always go back

[Badger Shark]

Thanks flipper , I think i have seen you on the water near the entrance to buchams do u fish there often? if you see an alumacraft floating around there at times it is probably clown worship and i. Love to meet some time

[pjmasson]

How do you get to this Pontiac Bay from ottawa? and where do you launch from?

[Badger Shark]

I am pretty sure it is the bay right across from the Dam near fitzroy there are a few launches in fitzroy harbour but only one good one. also you have to be careful coming out of the bay as there are shoals and underwater rock piles just below the surface unmarked in places. There are also other launces periodically down the river I usually use the one in buchams bay not the best but it works.

[pjmasson]

Is that the dam you go by on hwy 17?

How do you get to the launch from there? I assume you head up towards the dam right to fish?

[Badger Shark]

I think the best thing to do is pm ady who lives in that area and sounds like he knows the area very well . I dont know for sure on directions , I do know how to get to fitzroy by using the galletta side road through galletta but it can be confusing , sorry i cant help much more with specific road names.

[Flipper]

Just follow the signs to the Fitzroy Provincial Park. There's a couple of shallow launches there. One free and one is part of the park. You can launch at the wreck of a launch at Buckhams Bay too but it's a bit of a run up river to Pontiac Bay. Pontiac Bay is on the Quebec end of the dam. There's a launch at McLarens Landing too but it's semi-private and parking is at a premium unless you have a pass.

Badger Shark, Yep that's me fishing outside of Buckhams. I am there often especially evenings. Pretty much daily once bass opens. Either in the Nitro or a kayak. See ya out there.[/quote]

[Badger Shark]

WHEN DOES BASS OPEN?