)I come from Northern Ontario and there's no bass at all there. It's pretty cut and dry, you're either fishing pike, walleye or trout and theres very little environmental, depth, or bait overlap. Well, you might accidentally catch Pike while fishing walleye or something but what can you do.
I moved to Ottawa, don't have any space for a real boat and so I'm limited to a canoe, an inflatable (lol), or from shore. I'm finding it really awkward fishing spring pike because I feel they share so much with bass. Lures, depth, structure, they're just so similar. And in a smaller canoe you are limited to smaller waters which makes it worse. So, I'd fish pike, and catch only pike, but I'd still be worried that someone would accuse me of bass fishing when that wasn't the case at all.
So I called the MNR to ask what they recommend, and they told me "Avoid waters that are known to be bass habitat". But any specific area I asked them about (Petrie Island, Jock River etc etc) they'd admit was a grey area. They emphasized that it's the act of targetting that is illegal, but that if I do find I'm catching bass while targetting pike to leave the area.
So basically, at this point, when I'm target spring pike, I try to throw bigger pike lures and if I do see or hook a bass, I just move on to another area. What else would you guys recommend? I'm going to be hitting the Rideau for pike this week and the last thing I want is people accusing me of breaking the law or assuming I'm up to no good. Any other tips for people who want to fish pike in shallower areas but who don't want to accidentally pressure bass?
Can't wait until Bass opens so there's no issues.
you don't think I'd have some expertise 