OC Online - Hot Spots 2006

text by Tom Adamchick, Mark Anderson, Ken Bailey
Patrick Campeau, Brad Fenson, George Gruenefeld
Jake MacDonald, Paul Marriner, Jim McLennan
Wayne Phillips, Gord Pyzer

Simply the Best
(Shark, Smallmouth Bass)

SHARK
St. Margaret’s Bay, Nova Scotia In August, head out with a licensed captain to catch-and-release blue, porbeagle or mako sharks weighing as much as 1,000 pounds. More info: Blue Shark Fishing Charters, (902) 830-4115. –P.M.

SMALLMOUTH BASS
Lake Simcoe, Ontario Rip an X-Rap off Snake, Fox, Georgina, Thorah or Strawberry Islands in late summer or early fall, or quietly troll the shallows in summer until you spot fish within range of a tube jig. More info: Ontario Ministry of Natural Resources, Aurora office, (905) 713-7400. –G.P.

Lake Clear, Ontario Fish deep-diving crankbaits at 20 feet around the islands at the south end of the lake. Also productive are flies fished deep and dry flies that coincide with summer hex hatches. More info: Ottawa Valley Tourist Association, 1-800-757-6580. –T.A.

Lake Erie, Ontario In summer, drag heavy, big-headed, salt-impregnated, green or brown tube jigs around mid-lake humps and structures in 30 feet of water. More info: Niagara Sportfishing, (905) 788-9384. –G.P.

Smallmouth bass hot spot: Ottawa River, Ontario/Quebec (Mark Krupa).

Rainy Lake, Ontario In the summer, cruise open water near mid-lake shoals, scanning your sonar for suspended schools of smelt. Then cast an unweighted Power Shad above the bait. More info: Barny’s Fishing and Guiding Service, (807) 274-6798. –G.P.

Watap Lake, Ontario Fish the rocky points and drop-offs on the Canadian side, halfway up the narrow lake in July. Cast shallow-running crankbaits, vibrating plugs, spinners, buzzbaits and topwater bass bugs (any colour). More info: Ontario Ministry of Natural Resources, Thunder Bay office, (807) 475-1471. –T.A.

Ottawa River, Ontario/Quebec In summer, upriver from Westmeath, target rocky points, drop-offs or shoals in depths of 15 feet or less, with live minnows, nightcrawlers or tube jigs. In September, lunkers school on sandbars. More info: Laurentian View Resort, (613) 587-4829. –T.A.

Lac Memphrémagog, Quebec This beautiful lake offers great smallmouth action all summer long on topwater lures, spinnerbaits, tubes or slugs. Look for weedlines, weedbeds or rock structures. More info: Plein Air Chasse et Pêche Magog, (819) 843-2800. –P.C.

Lac McGillivray, Quebec In late August, rocky points and piles trailing into 20-foot-deep water are worth hitting with Big Os and medium-sinking lures. Flies, such as Dahlberg Divers, are explosive mid-morning and late afternoon. More info: Linus Hearty, (819) 689-2328. –T.A.

Lac Poisson Blanc, Quebec With 150 islands, the smallmouth have zillions of places to hang out. Fish rock structures in July and August with topwaters and Husky Jerks. More info: Jean-Pierre Bastien, (819) 767-3063. –P.C.

St. Lawrence River, Quebec October and November are prime time around Montreal. Fish with dark tubes along the island and on rocky structures near the junction of the Rivière des Prairies. More info: B & L Sport, (514) 525-5354. –P.C.

LaHave River, Nova Scotia In late July, cast small surface poppers with ultralight spinning gear to cover every dip in the slate ridges crossing the river. More info: Kevin Veinotte, (902) 543-1460. –P.M.

Texas Lake, Nova Scotia On July evenings, troll a medium spoon or plug around the river inlet, or target rising smallies with surface lures. More info: Wood Wise Outfitters, (902) 543-7221. –P.M.

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