Best Spring Pike Fishing Areas - Rideau System

[BigRideauAngler]

Hey all,

New to the group but looking to find where people think is the best area for large spring pike in the Rideau System. I’ve heard some recommend the Rideau River near the Kars boat launch or near the mouth of the Kemptville Creek but wondering what everyone else has found!

Let me know! Thanks!

[Corvus Lacus]

The biggest Pike almost always come from lakes that also have Lake Trout. That's because these lakes usually have good populations of soft-finned, high-fat baitfish like Ciscos or Whitefish. On that basis (and from personal experience), I'd recommend Big Rideau. Not a huge population of Northerns, like some shallower, weedy, eutrophic lakes full of HammerHandles....but some legitimate 40" + SnotRockets. For big fish, forget shallow weedy bays....focus on rocky points extending into the deep basins (at a depth that intersects the thermocline), or look for the deepest cabbage weed patches you can find adjacent to deep (Lake Trout) water.

In summer, I have caught some of my biggest Pike dowriggin' for Lakers in 60 to 90 FOW.

[OntarioRider]

I was shocked when I caught my first pike on a downrigger a few years ago.
I love fishing Big Rideau. When you get bored or stumped by one species there is always something that will bite.
I moved away last summer but will be travelling back often to fish for Lakers.