Finally found dinner in the Downtown Rideau River

[thegillimonster]

Last night I found a spot on the Rideau River downtown (near New Edinburgh park) that holds walleye! I've been fishing this area for two years and only ever seen smallmouth bass and pike (slimy, bitey, bad-smelling, lure-stealing buggers). I have caught them in the Ottawa late at night when they're in the shallows but this is my first time finding their actual daytime habitat. There's a huge tree fallen over into the current in about ten feet of water, and they're all hanging out underneath it. I caught two keeper sized guys last night and took home one for dinner - 19 inches!

I've been fishing a dropshot out of the kayak a lot lately as it catches both bass and walleye - and it paid off last night. 3" chartreuse/white minnow on a Gamakatsu 1/0 dropshot hook about 15 inches off the bottom and something was smoking it every cast. I pulled in probably five walleye and two 1.5lb bass before I decided that I didn't want my dinner to go bad in the back hold of the yak. 6'6" Ugly Stik GX2 (not very sensitive but unbreakable) and Shimano Sienna spinning reel (love these for the money, I have two) with cheap 10lb mono. I'll post a photo later!

Posting so that new fishermen like me have some hope

[Harpee61]

Happy for you. Keep it up!

[Harcombe9923]

Are you referring to the tree just down from where the bridges crosses on rideau? I caught a real nice smallie off that tree myself about a month back, been meaning to hit it up again.

[Maple]

Better keep that spot a secret.

[streamfisher93]

I've been working in the park lately and through a senko on my lunch break above the small arc bridge, surprisingly deep and looked suitable for bass, awesome you caught some eyes there congrats!