How do you find fishing spots without a boat?

[sonicsink]

Since my kids and I got into fishing a few months ago, we've been trying to find a few new spots to try other than the public wharfs that we are mostly at. I have been combing over Google maps looking for little lakes, ponds, or rivers that we could check out, but pretty much every single time we get to some place that look like it has potential, they are duds. Rivers have waterfront homes on them or are marked as private, other sites have "No Trespassing!" signs posted everywhere, or are totally inaccessible by foot. I have seen some cars parked on the sides of the road where no trespassing signs are up, but I don't particularly want to risk getting arrested or towed, especially with my kids with me. It's not exactly safe dropping a line down over an overpass either which seems like the only spot on a river without a house on it. I've wasted a lot of gas driving around this summer checking places out It would be so much easier if we had a boat, but I don't see that happening in our future. Any tips or ideas?

[Jimmy_1]

If you are in Quebec.

Try the bridge on Fournier. You can park across the street at the ball diamond and walk to either side of it from there.
Everything can be caught here. Gar, Carp, Musky, Pike, Walleye, Bass, Drum etc.

You can also travel up the road a bit to St.Louis (The street Forum is on). Here you can always toss a line along the weedbeds.

If you want, there is a public boat launch up by the Bowater plant. Fishing is decent there also.

Lac Beauchamp is a public lake that is stocked with rainbow trout. It holds a few pike, perch and catfish.

You can also park up in Lorraine area and access Lac blanc and fish for bass etc.

Victoria Island is also a great and popular fishing spot. You can also fish behind the Musee de civilization and also access the Ottawa River via the park (public parking) at the end of Conferderation St (where Bal-de-neige is hosted in Gatineau).

Hope this helps!

[smitty55]

Here's a link to urban fishing in the Ottawa area. http://www.mnr.gov.on.ca/en/Business/Le ... 65650.html
You can also rent boats at Constance Lake.
Cheers

[Jimmy_1]

LOL!

As the poster is from Vaudreuil-Soulanges....this is close to Valleyfield (Just west of Montreal)

[sonicsink]

I should have mentioned where I live I suppose, I have never heard of the above places. I'm out west off the island of Montreal, the whole area is called vaudreuil-Soulanges. I'm right on the Qc./On. border.

[smitty55]

oops lol. Guess I missed that. Oh well...

[Jimmy_1]

I'd then suggest along the shores in Montreal (off the pier in Old Mtl)

or wherever there is shore fishing access along the St.Lawrence/401 corridor).

NYS is a stonesthrow for you and lots of small trout lakes along that stretch.

[mmason]

My son and I find spots by driving along roads beside rivers/creeks looking for likely places and pull off spots and, where possible, asking folks from the area we're in where the fishing spots are. The local diners and community garage/gas stations can provide a wealth of information

It's not a high tech system, but over the summer we've collected a decent list of places that we can choose depending on time and circumstance.

[Streamside88]

google maps is your best friend , and the crown land atlas on the mnr site is a big help for public access aswell....

[loophole]

You might try going to the appropriate Ministere website. They might provide information about fishing opportunities in the various ZEC. I forget exactly what ZEC stands for. It may be the Quebec equivalent of Fishing Zone. One or more could be in your area. Next I'd try googling an assortment of terms that might lead you to a French language website similar to Fish-Hawk. Try peche au Quebec, pecheurs au Quebec, renseignements pour pecheurs, pecher au Quebec, and so forth. Bonne chance!

[Fishoholic]

Google maps, mnr fishing tool, word of mouth and what your already doing-getting out there and exploring! It's great to hear your getting back into fishing and passing it on to your kids. You sound like a pretty freakin cool Mom!!! Good luck to you out there!

[cprince]

Hi sonicsink! (LOVE the handle!)

Welcome to Fish Hawk!!

I used to fish all around that area some years ago.

Although it is not exactly close... Cap St Jacques (In Pierrefonds off Gouin BLV) comes to mind for shore fishing. There were rapids there that always had a bunch of Walleye/Sauger that we used to catch using leeches...

Riviere Beaudette: I used to go to a camp ground... Off Chemin St-Phillippe(?) mostly to drink "Back In The Day" but there was also fishing! There is also the river that empties into the St-Lawrence.

Then there is Voyageur Provincial Park... on the ON side (Pointe Fortune on the QC side) on the Ottawa River. Amazing number of species and VERY catchable from shore. Hip waders in the cold months and bathing suits in the summer and you can cover a lot of water.

Docks and marinas along the St-Annes area and over in Pincourt were other places I remember catching fish.

There are other GREAT spots up this way if you are ever inclined to take a road trip as well that many of us can advise you about!! Hopefully my info is not too out of date as it has been quite a few years since I was out there shore fishing (Last time... hmmm... dunk off Lakeshore in Pt-Clair as an 18 year old in '89!! Catching sun fish with tumors in Pewie Louis!!)

Craig

[riverdog]

I really don't know any spots around where you are but what I will say is I've never seen so many spots offered up to a new FH member before....lol best of luck!

[Wallyboss]

If you read French there is a french fishing forum that you can also join. Quebec-peche.com Lots of people from Montreal and area

[SeaMonster]

I don't fish from shore, but you can catch walleye in Sainte-Anne-De-Belveue from shore.
Also, the Ile-Perrot side, there is a fair amount of shore that can be fished behind the water treatment plant that is open to anyone. (Montee Sagala) And you can park your car right in the lot. The area is also a boat launch. Check google maps. But besides Pooie Louie it's hard to find a lake not too far that doesn't have nearly every square inch "claimed" .

Some of my kids friends go to a more "kid friendly" spot. There is a pier that has rails where you can catch perch and little bass just outside pointe-claire village. (on lakeshore in between brunet and bowling green).