Rideau River Spots

[threeparrots]

Hi everyone!

Recent member here.

I've been in Ottawa for about 3 years now and have just finally decided to try and fish some local areas. I live near downtown and this past weekend took a drive down along the Rideau River to check out some spots to shore fish/wade -- more so looking for wading spots as I've been focusing on my fly rods again, so need a little more casting space. Found some OK spots but not sure about how reliable in terms of being a dependable spot.

I have Googled and YouTubed to find a few locations, but was wondering if anyone would be able to offer up a few spots to wade into the Rideau River to catch some bass/pike?

I'm working with a 6 and 8 wt setup.

Thanks!

[jsdx]

Rideau river is great. I've fished it pretty much anywhere I can get access. For shore spots with trees, I use a spinning rod. Otherwise, fly rod works too (if not too windy)

Upstream from Montreal Rd/River Rd. Cummings Island downstream from strathcona park. You can wade to the island from the east side and its a great bass spot (when open). Best in low light, the water is thin. Some big bass there (note bass season not open yet)

Downstream from the 417 - both east and west sides -- from the east side (RCMP side) you can wade almost across the river -- the channel is on the west side. harder to hit with a fly rod except from the park where you can cast from shore, plenty of space, and drift nymphs for smallies in summer (topwater too) You can catch walleye there too but usually when spinning w/jigs/twisters. Its weedy there you can get pike now but its gets pretty thick

All the rapids below the hogsback can be fished, but the water can be fast so I usually poke jigs into holes below each riffle. You can wade (when lower water) all the way down to Carleton U and some great fly fishing there. In may and june, you can get walleye (on fly rod) and bonus musky there too (again when season opens).
I usually fish it with spinning gear but also do some fly fishing when low wind.

Ottawa river has good wading spots but I do it later in summer due to high water until then. Champlain bridge, islands all have good fly spots mainly for smallmouth . You can have 50+ fish afternoons there. Downstream at Remic, depends on water levels --- can be fast and dangerou so be careful but lots of smallies.

Cannot vouch for conditions this year, have not been out yet.

Good luck

[threeparrots]

Awesome! Thanks for the info. I had some of those spots on the radar but it's great to hear them confirmed.

I was also thinking about Vincent Massey Park area... any insights there?

On the weekend I was South a bit past Manotick on the East shore of the river. The bottom was a little soft but I had some perch action, but the drive was not really worth it!

I've also just thought about Gar... any areas around here for those? Ottawa River perhaps?

Happy to chat on DM if more appropriate!

Thanks again.

[zippyfx]

Lots of Spots for Gar on the Ottawa river:

- Shirleys Bay
- Dick Bell
- Petrie Island
- Morris Island Conservation area.

Good luck!

[threeparrots]

Awesome, thanks!

How is the bottom at these spots? I've noticed that there are a lot of spots with a very soft bottom, sometimes making it a little difficult for wading.

Lots of Spots for Gar on the Ottawa river:

- Shirleys Bay
- Dick Bell
- Petrie Island
- Morris Island Conservation area.

Good luck!

[zippyfx]

I don't wade much but most of the local Ottawa river spots tend to be on the rocky side.

On the Rideau I have seen people fly fishing:
- Watsons Mill (the lower side)
- Nicolls island (the lower dam side on the west not the lock side); Apparently this is a good spot to fly fish redhorse
- Carelton University under the bridge.
- Bates Island may be a spot to try

Here are some maps some of here have built up:

https://www.google.com/maps/d/u/0/edit? ... 10615&z=10

https://www.google.com/maps/d/u/0/edit? ... 000005&z=9

[threeparrots]

This is great! Thanks!

Looks like I have plenty of spots to try out. I'll report back on my success over the next few weeks!