Norcan Lake
Norcan Lake
It's definitely time to explore new waters (limited fishing the last couple of years with small kids in the house) and I'd like to give Norcan Lake a try. Any recommendations on places to launch from? The lake seems to have access from a number of different points and I don't want to waste valuable "kitchen pass" time looking for a launch. Thanks in advance for any advice.
Below is the response I received from Bobber, he was ther a few weeks ago, I plan on being there first week of August, if you google Canoto there is a map.
Good Luck,
Dirtbag
You go all the way to the dam and turn left over the bridge, then follow the signs to Canoto. You stay left all the way. The road is pretty narrow and it looks like you're driving in people's back yards, but if you follow the Canoto signs, you'll eventually hit the launch. Hope that helps and good luck.
Cheers,
Dirtbag wrote:
Yeah, you actually drive right past Calobogie lake and head for the dam up there, cross over the bridge, and into a very very rought dirt road to find the launch. I can't remember exactly how to get there as my sense of direction really sucks. I rely on Fishhawk to tell me where to go....and sometimes he takes that too literally. Laughing
Bobber , if it's not to much trouble, can you ask Fishawk to PM me a little more detail on the directions to the launch on Norcan?
The less time I spend finding it the more time to fish!
Thanks,
Dirtbag
Good Luck,
Dirtbag
You go all the way to the dam and turn left over the bridge, then follow the signs to Canoto. You stay left all the way. The road is pretty narrow and it looks like you're driving in people's back yards, but if you follow the Canoto signs, you'll eventually hit the launch. Hope that helps and good luck.
Cheers,
Dirtbag wrote:
Yeah, you actually drive right past Calobogie lake and head for the dam up there, cross over the bridge, and into a very very rought dirt road to find the launch. I can't remember exactly how to get there as my sense of direction really sucks. I rely on Fishhawk to tell me where to go....and sometimes he takes that too literally. Laughing
Bobber , if it's not to much trouble, can you ask Fishawk to PM me a little more detail on the directions to the launch on Norcan?
The less time I spend finding it the more time to fish!
Thanks,
Dirtbag
Thanks Dirtbag for the details. I finally got out on Sunday to check this lake out with my wife (spin around the lake, a great supper and a little bit of fishing) and will definitely be back for a serious fishing expedition.
It took about 75 mins to get there from the westend of Ottawa but it was quiet with not a lot of boaters or fishing going on at the time. Bobber's directions to Dirtbag were pretty bang on just follow the Canoto signs. Note the launch is past the lodge on a narrow gravel/sand road. I meant to take a photo of the launch for folks and will correct this oversight the next time I'm there. Tough to do with a car or a van but not impossible (watch out for all the rocks on the launch road leading into the water).
When you put into the water there are some rocks on the right side as your sitting in the driver's seat. Keep the prop up and let yourself drift out into the current to ensure you keep your prop safe. My wife was able to chat with someone who had just launched and knew the lake while I was backing in so he had some great advice of where to go and what shoals to avoid.
Very picturesque, no PWCs or water ski activity. Lots of great shoreline and grass beds. Did some quick spot checks for fishing and was able to hook on 3 bass in 30 mins. I was at the Bay of Quinte the day before for some large size bass fishing so it was quite the contrast.
It took about 75 mins to get there from the westend of Ottawa but it was quiet with not a lot of boaters or fishing going on at the time. Bobber's directions to Dirtbag were pretty bang on just follow the Canoto signs. Note the launch is past the lodge on a narrow gravel/sand road. I meant to take a photo of the launch for folks and will correct this oversight the next time I'm there. Tough to do with a car or a van but not impossible (watch out for all the rocks on the launch road leading into the water).
When you put into the water there are some rocks on the right side as your sitting in the driver's seat. Keep the prop up and let yourself drift out into the current to ensure you keep your prop safe. My wife was able to chat with someone who had just launched and knew the lake while I was backing in so he had some great advice of where to go and what shoals to avoid.
Very picturesque, no PWCs or water ski activity. Lots of great shoreline and grass beds. Did some quick spot checks for fishing and was able to hook on 3 bass in 30 mins. I was at the Bay of Quinte the day before for some large size bass fishing so it was quite the contrast.
Norcan Lake
Glad you enjoyed the trip PrincePro, I only fished one day on Norcan, not a lot of fish that day but I did get one 5 lbder. Beautiful place though, the view after the dam is outstanding. The launch could be better but like you said it's just the last stretch that's bad. We had great fishing (20-30 fish each morning/evening) on the south end of White Lake, the road to the launch is about 5 minutes south of Calabogie and has a sign, another nice place but a little busier than Norcan. Next time I will try and spend a little more time on Norcan, maybe in September.
Dirtbag
Dirtbag