Eastern Ontario: 8 hot spots for bass, pike, walleye and trout
The owner of Paddletales Tackle knows where the big ones are. Here are his top local waters
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Although Winchester, Ontario’s Paddletales Tackle stocks gear for many species, owner Ed Puddephatt’s first love is bass. He keeps up to date by participating in tournaments all over eastern Ontario, and swapping tips during regular Thursday night get-togethers at the shop. Along with bass holes, Puddephatt’s picks include spots for muskies, pike and walleye.
More info: Paddletales Tackle, (613) 774-2277, www.paddletales.com
BIG RIDEAU LAKE, ONTARIO
GPS: 44.747901, -76.223882
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FISH: Lake trout, largemouth and smallmouth bass
HIGHLIGHT: Very clear water with varied cover, try lots of techniques
WHEN: All season, plus winter panfishing
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LAKE ST FRANCIS, ONTARIO
GPS: 45.082, -74.509
FISH: Bass (largemouth and smallmouth), muskies, walleye, yellow perch
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HIGHLIGHT: Super-clear water, with giant smallies, plus lots of cover for largies, muskies and walleye
WHEN: All season
MISSISSIPPI LAKE, ONTARIO
GPS: 45.028, -76.203
FISH: Largemouth and smallmouth bass, walleye
HIGHLIGHT: Good numbers and easy fishing, with the odd lunker
WHEN: Opener to late September
MUSKRAT LAKE, ONTARIO
GPS: 45.649, -76.886
FISH: Bass (largemouth and smallmouth), lake trout, walleye
HIGHLIGHT: Fish largemouth on one side, smallies on the other, and lakers and walleye down the middle
WHEN: Year-round
OTTAWA RIVER, ONTARIO
GPS: 45.584, -75.199
FISH: Bass (largemouth and smallmouth), crappies, muskies, northern pike, walleye
HIGHLIGHT: Diverse, quality fishery, from Rockland to Wendover
WHEN: All season, fall for muskies
RIDEAU RIVER, KEMPTVILLE, ONTARIO
GPS: 45.058, -75.658
FISH: Bass (largemouth and smallmouth), muskies, northern pike, walleye
HIGHLIGHT: Hook lots of fish using a variety of techniques
WHEN: All season; summer can be busy
RIDEAU RIVER, KILMARNOCK, ONTARIO
GPS: 44.887, -75.936
FISH: Largemouth and smallmouth bass
HIGHLIGHT: Great area to learn flipping, pitching or frogging
WHEN: July to late September
ST. LAWRENCE RIVER, MORRISBURG, ONTARIO
GPS: 44.898, -75.159
FISH: Bass (largemouth and smallmouth), muskies, northern pike, walleye, yellow perch
HIGHLIGHT: Trophy smallies and walleye, with many areas to fish
WHEN: Early season for walleye; fall for bass