Fishing the Big Rideau

Post by **K1LOS** » Sun Jul 06, 2008 12:18 am

Hello all,

I'm new to the site, but I like what i see!

I just started fishing the big rideau, and am hoping to make it my regular fishing grounds. I put in at the public launch off of HWY 15, just before Portland.

Me and some friends were out there yesterday and caught a ton of sunfish, but were having trouble finding the bass. We found one shoal on the east shore where we pulled out a few smallies, but at the end of the day we only caught 4 decent bass.

I know people are protective of their spots, but if somebody could point me in the right direction it would be much appretiated. My boat only has a 9.9, so i can't cover as much water looking for good fishing grounds.

Any tips would be appreciated,

Thanks

Geoff

Post by **FishingIsHealing** » Sun Jul 06, 2008 12:35 am

I would put in at murphy's point instead.

I think there is better fishing in that part of the lake.

The waves get big though so your boat may be small from the sounds of it so maybe the launch you are at is the way to go.

Fish the docks around the cottages in portland and stuff....I'm not familiar with that part of the lake.

Murphy's point park you have to pay to launch, plus the water is not bassy there I guess. It's more for lake trout fishing in that big part of the lake, I mean there is some good places and bays and stuff but you need a bigger boat if it gets windy.

I've seen the waves get quite high, 5 ft ish, almost swamping our lund pro sport 1700........

My dad says the bass fishery has gone downhill in the lake in the last few years, but I'm not sure how true that is.....overfishing maybe? Big Rideau is off our list for fishing, at least for this year and probably the next.

We fished it faithfully for my whole life and his whole life....it's just not as good anymore....

If you want some hardcore bass action I would try Charleston lake instead, that place is pretty good for bass and lakers..

Rideau has lakers and bass too, i'm just not sure about it anymore............

So yah if you insist on fishing the Big Rideau, try fishing around peoples docks near portland or around the shoals, be careful to look for shoal markers if you go out in the lake at all, there are some large shoals out there.........

And if the weather is bad, stay close to the launch if you are in a tin boat, and don't go way out into the open lake.....it's easy to get lost if you don't know your way around......

Have fun and be careful..Give it a couple tries and if the fishing is good, then let me know cuz I might go back up........

Take Care!

===Tom===

Post by **K1LOS** » Sun Jul 06, 2008 12:42 am

I decided on the big rideau because i keep my boat at my father in laws in North Gower, and the weeds on the rideau river were too frustrating for me. If the lure wasn't hung up the prop was. I don't really know where else to go with out a really long drive. How far do you think it would be to go to charleston from north gower?

Like i said earlier, 3 pretty inexperienced guys who had never been there before got 4 bass. We didn't go too far from the launch either (like you said, it seemed easy to get lost and i never really got my bearings on the map). There must be a decent stock in there i figure.

I am a bit concerned about the waves on the BR, It's only a 14' aluminum and it is by no means a deep hull.

Geoff

Post by **bamboozler** » Sun Jul 06, 2008 9:26 am

I've been fishing the Big Rideau for about 3 years now. I do feel like the first year I was on the lake, the fishing was excellent, but the last two years have definitely slowed down.

Smallies are plentiful but can be elusive. The two areas I tend to fish are around Cow Island and the two bays around Southams point, which are accessible with your 9.9.

The lake definitely has some fishing pressure, and so your presentation has to be subtle, I've had success with texas rigged gulp worms, as well as tubes, and I started drop shotting last year and had some success.

I haven't fished too far east of Portland, but I think that between Rideau Ferry and Murphy's point, there are a few lucrative LMB bays, so maybe Murphy's Point might be a good spot to launch and go east.

I think that the Fishhawk Map of the Big Rideau is also a good reference. In fact, it's excellent!

Lastly, I always thought that the Big Rideau was a decent fishery, (if you find 'em) until I fished Newboro Lake.

It's a little further drive, but the fishing will definitely be more lucrative.

PM me if you want more info...and let me know how it goes.

Post by **K1LOS** » Sun Jul 06, 2008 9:38 am

thanks for the replies guys, i'll try out those tips on my next trip (hopefully soon!). I'm going to go find this F-H map of the BR.

Thanks again

Geoff

Post by **bamboozler** » Sun Jul 06, 2008 10:14 am

Geoff,

Also, I don't know if there is a launch at Poonamallie, but I heard that the lower Rideau is also good for LMB as well. In fact, I've read a few reports of people doing well there, and it's closer to North Gower for you (just the other side of Smith's falls).

Rohin

rfunfarm · Post by **rfunfarm** » Sun Jul 06, 2008 1:23 pm

Newboro Lake is just a little away from there. Try it, you'll like it. Lotsa bass there. Also you can take lock to Big, Little, Upper Rideaus. If you fish Newboro--go left from launch down past cottages, lotsa weed, channel appx 10ft deep in middle between main land & islands Look for cabin with Moose antlers on deck over the lake. WAVE

Post by **K1LOS** » Sun Jul 06, 2008 4:57 pm

i saw the signs for poonamalie on the drive, I'll do some diggin around and see if i can find a launch there. You're right, it would be considerably closer.

this newboro lake sounds like a winner, i'll have to make my way over there and check it out.

I have to say, im surprised at all the tips and responses im receiving. I expected to get blown off pretty much. Seems like a great community you have here. You are all being very helpful and saving a slow boater many wasted days of fishing. Thanks a lot!

Geoff

Post by **Lowe Rider** » Sun Jul 06, 2008 7:28 pm

I was on the Big Rideau this weekend fishing in and around Murphy's Point. We saw plenty of smallies, but they really were not on the bite. I tried everything from spinners, to crankbaits and even followed up with some tubes and they just weren't interested. With the heat and the clear skies, it made for some real tough fishing this weekend.

Post by **nitro2000** » Mon Jul 07, 2008 9:51 am

There is a launch at Poonamalie. It is $9.90 per day for launching and parking. Its gravel and sand. Plenty of parking.
Fishing from there is good and fish are easy to find. Quality fish is another story ! Follow the channel markers when running, stop anywhere from the top of the dam to Rideau Ferry and you will find fish. Weeds are plentiful. Your boat/motor combo will get you to some productive areas from the launch at Poonamalie. You could also launch from Beveridges Locks, same cost.

Post by **Tribal Legend 1** » Mon Jul 07, 2008 9:38 pm

Weather depending - as you mention, you are in a tinny - there is great smallie fishing off of the islands across from the trout run (Turnip Island, Trout island, etc..). If you can, get to Rideau Ferry, the bass are plentiful. Learning to fish there is the key. Mostly largies, but a ton of fun.

Crankbaits work well for the smallies, white big-o still reigns supreme in my humble opinion. For the largies, if you are outside of the rice, a jig and pig presentation still works nicely. If you venture into the rice, you will need a properly rigged frog and you will have to pitch the holes.

Enjoy. It is a great body of water.

TL1

Post by **MichaelVandenberg** » Tue Jul 08, 2008 9:54 am

Deep weed beds (10-15 ft) and humps are key spots on Big rideau. These can be tricky to find but if you have a GPS with the navigation maps or the traditional paper navigation maps you should be able to find the bigger ones.

Tubes, wacky and drop shotting plastics are good techniques to get those not-so active fish. Cranks and spinnerbaits can be good to cover water and pick off the real active fish.

Cheers,

Mike

Post by **Fishosophy** » Tue Jul 15, 2008 7:13 am

Hey Geoff,

I do a lot of fishing at Charleston Lake. It may a bit of a drive for you but well worth the trip. Beautiful Small Mouth and Largies if you can find them. I go there a lot. If you are up for it sometime, give me a call and I'll come out with my boat and show you a few of my favorite spots. There's lots of fish to go around. I went out opening day and got 3 bass 4 1/2 plus sizes using 6" wackey worms watermellon green with a bright yellow tip. I usually have best luck there for smallies with shinners though. The two fish in my avatar pic are from that day.

Take care,

Jeff Rogers 613-283-7781.