Lanark Highlands Fishing Report

[Fisherman89]

I haven't seen many fishing reports lately, so here is my latest fishing excursion from yesterday (January 18, 2025).

I had originally wanted to try Bay of Quinte this weekend (I have never fished it), but due to the mild temps, rain, and wind gusts in the forecast, I opted to stay closer to home instead.

I left Ottawa at 5AM, so that I could make it to the lake and be setup in my first spot before sunrise. My destination? The Lanark Highlands.

I made it to my first spot around 7:15AM and setup along a weed edge in 12ft of water. The temperature was hovering around 0, and there was no precipitation, so I went without the shelter for the time being.

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At 8AM my tip-up flag popped and I pulled in the first fish of the day. A 17ish inch walleye.

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Shortly after, at 8:15, I had a mark come in on my sonar. I got a bite and whiffed on the hook set. Luckily I either didn't sting the fish, or it didn't care, it came back and gave me a second chance. This time I didn't miss and I reeled in this 16ish inch walleye. It was caught on a 3/16 oz gold Frostbite Dinner Bell spoon tipped with a minnow head.

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After that, the wind and snow picked up, so I hunkered down for the next two hours.

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I didn't mark any other fish here, so around 10AM I packed up and headed down the lake to a rock shoal that I have had success on from the boat, but had never ice fished before. Once I got to the second spot and found the base of the shoal, I setup camp.

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At 11:20 my tip-up flag popped and I pulled in my biggest fish of the day. This 22 inch walleye.

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[Fisherman89]

continued...

Things went pretty quiet after that catch. I setup both my lines outside of the shelter and made myself some lunch. Grilled cheese sammies!

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I decided to stay put for the evening bite window, and at 4:20PM, while fiddling with my Buddy Heater, I had a big mark come in. I slowly pulled the jig away from the fish and it committed to biting. After a decent fight I brought this 21 inch walleye through the hole.

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That was the last fish of the day. The COs dropped by around 6PM and made sure I was legal. Good to see them out making sure people are following the rules! I packed up my gear shortly after and headed home.

I have some head cam footage as well, so I'll post a video too when I have time to edit it.

I've still got the itch to get out on Bay of Quinte, but that will have to wait at least a few more weeks.

Cheers!

[Wally]

Nice report Bud ,i'm glad somebody had success, it's been slow for me this year again. I will try minnow heads next time. Will check Shirley's bay next time......Wally.

[JimW]

Great report and looks like a very successful day!!!

I have not fished Quinte as much in the last few years as I have in the past, I used to go every other weekend in the winter, but hopefully with make a couple trips from Merrickville this winter. If you ever want to meet up to hit Quinte let me know.

[Fisherman89]

Nice report Bud ,i'm glad somebody had success, it's been slow for me this year again. I will try minnow heads next time. Will check Shirley's bay next time......Wally.

Thanks Wally. They aren't always successful fishing trips, but if I catch one or two of the target species I consider that a good day! I tried out Bobs Lake last weekend for the first time and I was skunked! I've been to Shirley's twice this season, but haven't had much luck, not like previous years. I caught one walleye and two sauger combined over the two outings. I hope you have some better luck soon!

Great report and looks like a very successful day!!!

I have not fished Quinte as much in the last few years as I have in the past, I used to go every other weekend in the winter, but hopefully with make a couple trips from Merrickville this winter. If you ever want to meet up to hit Quinte let me know.

Thanks Jim, the next few weekends might be complicated for me, but I'll be in touch. It would be great to go with someone who has some knowledge of the area! I've been doing research, but there are so many different areas to access, it's hard to know where to begin.

[Fisherman89]

Here's my video from the day: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qDFhWO0Ih6E

Sorry if it's a little long, I've added timestamps in the description.