Big Rideau or Ottawa River??

[joeIII]

I am new to this site and never fished in Canadian Water. I live in NY and am planning a fishing trip to Canada with some friends. I am looking into renting a houseboat for a few days but not sure what the best location is. I found two that are appealing: one is on Big Rideau Lake and the other is on the Ottawa River. I was wondering if anyone could tell me which location would be better for fishing. Our trip will be in late August or early September. We would love to catch a muskie but would be content with some Walleye, Pike and Bass. Any information will be greatly appreciated. Joe

[sparky]

Joe,
Big Rideau is a beautiful lake, but it is pretty civilized and resort-y. If the Ottawa River place is on the upper Ottawa, it would be much more of a wilderness experience than the Rideau. Fishing can be good in either place, but I'd go with the Ottawa.

[Seaweed]

Hi

Welcome to the board. What a great idea for a vacation. The only word of caution that I would say is the Rideau River system and the Ottawa River system both are funny waters... funny in that they both have a lot of areas where someone could run into trouble with a boat that size.

I would highly recommend buying a set a maps for whatever destination you choose so that your vacation doesn't include paying for damage to the houseboat.

I personally would say that during the time you plan on being up here either choice would be good. The Ottawa is a bigger river and the fish are lets say more spread out. The Rideau River is a lot less vast in its width and will therefore have more concentrations of fish when you find them. Structures seem to hold a lot of fish in the Rideau. Bridges, docks, and weed beds.... it gets very weedy in the Rideau. I personally fish the Ottawa more because of less boat traffic and also because it is such a beautiful body of water..... but finding the fish can be harder for sure.

Whatever you choose be sure to let everyone know here on Fish-Hawk and we can let you know where most of the hazards are and you never know we might even put you on some of the fishing hot spots.

[Lucannus]

Hey Joe,

Well I might disagree a little bit with Seaweed. Any piece of water might hold hazards but both the Ottawa and The Rideau system have MAJOR botats who cruise them daily. I too would suggest picking a water way maps so you can see what is beneath the water line.

IMHO

The Rideau is a great fisherie, Lots of fishing choice and the BIG Rideau is beautiful

The Ottawa is also superb fishing ( my home waters now)

Either will make a great choice.

For a vacation.. I would suggest the Rideau. More restaurants on the water to pull over to and parks to stop at!

[FLOATFISHIN]

Both are great bodies of water no questions! Though the suggestions by Seaweed and Lu are the best maps for sure.And I think I am also with Lu on this one,though the Ottawa runs in my back yard the Rideau is where my cottage is and there is more boat traffic but:The scenery is better.

And as Seaweed has posted,Which ever one you decide I am sure we will fill you up with spots to try and tackle a few monsters while on your vacation!!!

P.S Welcome to the board and the Mighty Ottawa has a better chance for a muskie too

T.L F.F

[jsdx]

First, the ottawa river is a pretty long river. I believe they have houseboating up in from Mattawa (three hours drive north of the city of ottawa). If thats the section were talking about, it will be beautiful, wilderness (few cities,towns etc) and 50+ miles of water to explorer. Fishing will be better up there but no touristy stuff. You won't have to go through locks, its just river. Personally I'd pick that because my boat is usually on Big Rideau so for me it would be the adventure of a new place...

If you pick the start at big rideau. you can explore that lake (it has pike, bass and lake trout in addition to panfish galore). You can also go through locks to other lakes and visit towns along the way (ice cream stops, antiquing, shopping etc).

From Big R. you can go west through locks to Upper Rideau and visit wesport (fish are walleye, bass) and make your way through more locks to Newboro, Sand, Indian. Many of these have maps here on fish-hawk for you to get familiar before you go...

Going east you can go through other locks down the rideau river all the way to the city of Ottawa. Same thing, along the way, small towns to stop, sightsee, shop (golf even) and the arrive in a bigger city for some of that experience if you want. Fishing along the way will include bass, pike, walleye and musky depending on the section... You can stay in the city in the house boat too right on the canal. If you have time , you can even lock down through the ottawa river and have both experiences (but on the lower ottawa). If you announced your trip plans (dates,locations), you may even have some hawk-talkers visit for a guest fish appearence.

You need to be willing to lock through between a few lakes / sections etc to go really far so if that makes you nervous, you may decide to go less distance and enjoy individual lakes more. Big Rideau is *big* so even spending lots of your time there would be fun. If you've never houseboated these folks put up some pics ... http://www.staff.sbc.edu/mwoerner/canada.htm

Both routes have full navigation maps so there are no real issues about safety.

[joeIII]

Thank you all very much for the great information! I think Im leaning towards the Ottawa River because I would really like the chance to catch a Muskie! We plan on bringing at least one small boat with an outboard to tow behind the houseboat, that will help with getting to the difficult spots. I appreciate the warning about the hazards on both bodies of water and I will definately try to get my hands on some maps. I think the Ottawa trip is located in Mottawa....does anyone know where I could get some maps for this region? Thank you all again for your help.

[jsdx]

The chart for the Ottawa river from Mattawa to Rolphton is number 1554. The title for the map is RAPIDES DES JOACHIMS TO LAC LA CAVE

If you search on Google for "canadian navigation charts 1554" you will find a few places which sell these. In Ottawa you can get these at the World of Maps or the Chandlery but I suspect you want them sooner so you probably would order them online.

The Ottawa river is part of the larger Ottawa/Temiscaming waterway. See map.. http://www.araymond.qc.ca/waterway/img/map.jpg for a view on where the Mattawa section of the Ottawa river is.

Note, that on the drive up to Mattawa, you will pass by Muskrat Lake (the site of the current muskrat lake adventure) "http://www.fish-hawk.net/Promotion/lake ... keside.htm and further up the line you will pass Pinecreat which was the site of a couple of fish-hawk adventures.... http://www.fish-hawk.net/hawkshow/Pinecrest2/30guys.htm

Every time I drive up that way, I'm tempted to stop at both spots (plus many others)...

I think you'll have a great time.
John

[Rideaufish]

I fish the Big Rideau every year and see plenty of house boats you should be able to have a good time, and with a smaller boat be able to get in to the smaller bays. Where in NY you from? when are you looking at going?

[Rideaufish]

I fish the Big Rideau every year and see plenty of house boats you should be able to have a good time, and with a smaller boat be able to get in to the smaller bays. Where in NY you from? when are you looking at going?

[wolfe]

JoeIII

As Rideaufish said, I'm also curious to know where in NY you are located? We've got a few HawkTalkers stateside, including myself.

Never fished Canadian waters? Get ready to become addicted. Great time of year to be heading up, too, with less boat traffic... and less bugs!

PS: if you change your mind and do the Rideau, check out the nice village of Westport (dockage available for houseboats right in town).

W.

[joeIII]

Im from Central Square, NY, which is about 20 miles north of Syracuse. We are going on our trip in late Aug. or early Sep.. Does anyone know how long of a drive it would be to Mattawa from the A-bay area?? Thanks for all your help and the info on getting some maps!!