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 The Urban Angle – Ottawa
By Justin Hoffman
Although Ottawa may be a city where politics reign
supreme, there’s no denying that the top-notch fishing
opportunities are giving the suits a run for their
money. With both the Ottawa and Rideau River flowing
through the core, more anglers are beginning to realize
how good they really have it. Multiple species,
including muskie, bass, walleye, and pike are here for
the taking, and are closer than some may think. With
excellent bike paths and transit systems in place, many
of these urban spots can be accessed by leaving the car
at home – making for a more economical and healthier day
on the water. And for those heading here on business,
numerous spots abound to give a few hours of reprieve in
between board meetings.
The following list details some great fishing spots that
can be found in the Nation’s Capital. These areas are
all excellent for the family and shore angler, and some
will fit the bill for the boating enthusiast. But most
of all, they will lead you to a fun day on the water,
just the way fishing was meant to be.
 #1. Dows Lake
This man-made lake is connected to the Rideau Canal,
offering endless fishing opportunities for both
beginners and pros alike. Located at the foot of Preston
Street and Queen Elizabeth Drive, Dows Lake and the
surrounding parkland create an idyllic retreat that
caters to the outdoor enthusiast.
Large and smallmouth bass, muskie, pike, carp, crappie,
bluegill, sunfish and perch are all present in this
system, and in very good numbers. Youngsters can toss a
worm and bobber for unlimited pannie action, while those
searching for largemouth are best advised to work
Texas-rigged plastics or weedless topwaters through and
around the abundant vegetation.
 Dows Lake Pavillion offers a launch ramp (fee), gas,
washrooms, restaurants, as well as pedal boat, canoe,
kayak and rowboat rentals. A large parking lot (fee) can
be found directly across from the pavillion, but street
parking is located a short walk away off of Preston
Street and Carling Avenue.
Carp grow big and ornery at Dows Lake, and can often be
spotted in schools lurking just under the surface of the
water. Heavy line and large spools are needed to wrestle
these fish to the net, with canned corn, dough balls or
nightcrawlers working best as bait. The western side of
the lake seems to produce best, especially down towards
the canal.
Bike paths surround the lake, and also run the length of
the canal. Strap on the roller blades or don the bike
helmet, and coast your way to some great angling
possibilities.
#2. Petrie Island
A short car ride east along Highway 174 will land you at
Petrie Island - a popular angling destination for city
folk. Located on Trim Road, Petrie offers a multitude of
fishing opportunities throughout all seasons.
Shore spots abound, and include numerous inlets and
bays, as well as casting directly into the big Ottawa
River. Walleye anglers do well during the spring and
fall periods casting into and around the large culverts
that run under the road by the bait shop. Jigs and live
bait are your best bet.
Launch ramps (fee) are available, as well as a marina,
café, boat rentals, live bait and licenses. Parking lots
are also located on the island.
Panfish anglers will enjoy the abundant perch, crappie,
bluegills and sunfish. Early spring will see crappie
close to shoreline structure throughout the island.
Ultralight gear and micro tube jigs are always a good
bet for action. This is a great time to bring youngsters
and the family, as the fishing action can often be fast
and furious.
Largemouth and smallmouth bass, muskie, garpike, ling
and sturgeon are common catches, with trophy-sized fish
always a possibility.
Pike are often targeted during the winter at Petrie.
Suspending live or dead bait under a tip-up generally
gets the nod. Crappy Bay is a good place to start your
search.
Walking trails can be found throughout the island,
giving the nature nut a reprieve when the casting arm
gets tired. A sandy beach and picnic facilities are also
here.
 #3. Eccolands Park
Eccolands Park is located on River Road, just south of
Hunt Club, and adjacent to the Ottawa Airport. A free
launch ramp can be found here, leading you to a small
stretch of the Rideau River that is capable of producing
big fish.
Muskie rule the roost in these waters, and are more than
willing to hit oversized topwaters and bucktails during
the heat of summer, and large jerkbaits when fall rolls
around. Target 8 to 12-foot flats, as well as the
abundant weedlines. Rock and boulders will also hold
good numbers of fish.
Parking is available on site, as well as washroom
facilities, picnic areas and playground equipment for
the kids. Shorefishing is best done along the grassy
areas in the park, or from one of the two large floating
docks.
Spring can be a good time to chase walleye, with jigs
and livebait working best. Concentrate on rock shoals at
this time, and deep weedlines as the season progresses.
Smallmouth bass, pike, perch, bluegills and sunfish can
also be caught here, providing good action on an
otherwise quiet section of river.
#4. Kars
The Rideau River holds endless fishing possibilities,
and the stretch located at Kars may be the cream of the
crop. Running approximately 40 kilometres in length, the
river here has the locks of Long Island to the north and
Burritts Rapids in the south.
Kars is a quaint town that is located just east of
Highway 416, on Rogers Stevens Drive. Boaters can access
two public launch ramps, with a good cement style
directly on the river, and a gravel version at the Kars
Recreation Arena. This can be found directly across the
street. If utilizing the cement ramp, vehicles and
trailers must be left at the arena, which is a short
five-minute walk.
Largemouth bass enthusiasts can choose any structure
style they like, as this stretch has docks, timber,
pads, slop, rock and heavy weeds. Flipping jigs fished
on heavy line, as well as buzzbaits and spinnerbaits are
excellent choices.
Shore anglers can fish from the cement ramp, or from
inside the park. Night fishing for walleye with minnows
and floats can make for a productive outing, as can
panfishing with light gear. Spring crappies can be found
shallow in the park area, and are best caught with slip
floats and micro tubes.
Smallmouth bass, perch, bullhead, pike, bluegill and
sunfish are always willing to play tug of war, and can
be found in good numbers for those willing to search.
Chasing muskie throughout this stretch can bring about
some photo-worthy moments. I’ve witnessed numerous fish
over 30-pounds out of Kars, but they do take dedication
and time. Trolling large body baits or working jerkbaits
and bucktails are the go-to lures for most, but don’t
overlook large suckers, either alive or dead. Drifting
along weedlines or deep holes can often bag you fish
with this tactic.
 #5. Mississippi Lake
Although not located directly in Ottawa, Mississippi
Lake is a premier fishing stop that is a 30-minute drive
west along Highway 7. This large lake has an average
depth of 9-feet and bottoms out at approximately
30-feet.
Walleye are the fan-favourite here and can be caught
with a variety of tactics. Working bucktail jigs around
weedlines and clumps has proven its effectiveness on
many occasions, as has working 3 or 4-inch twistertails
along rock shoals and points. Pink, chartreuse, white
and black are excellent colour choices.
Two concrete launch ramps (fee) can be found at the
municipal park in the town of Carleton Place. There is
ample parking, as well as picnic areas, washrooms and
playground equipment. This large park is a great spot
for the shore angler, with largemouth and smallmouth
bass, pike, crappie, bluegill and sunfish available to
be caught. Live bait suspended under a float, shiny
inline spinners and noisy topwaters should see some
action.
There is a public launch to the west of Carleton Place
at Concession 9A, just off Highway 7. This gravel ramp
is free and parking is available. Baitcasters also
provides launch facilities (fee), and can be found on
the southwest side of the lake.
Saucer-shaped bluegills can be found in good numbers on
Mississippi, especially during the early spring period.
Look for shallow back bays with a mud or silt bottom, in
3 to 5-feet of water. Micro tubes and mini crankbaits
work well on these fish.
#6. Bate Island
Adjacent to the Champlain Bridge, Bate Island is
accessible by taking Island Park Drive or the Ottawa
River Parkway. The NCC bicycle path will also bring you
right to this spot.
Situated on the Ottawa River, this small island park
offers the shore angler many options. Smallmouth bass
are the main quarry here, where they reside in the
fast-flowing currents and slack water. Heavy jigs,
crankbaits and topwaters all have their place. Fly
fishers are also a common sight at Bate Island,
preferring to toss streamers and poppers to these
acrobatic fish. Bring a pair of waders in order to work
the water more thoroughly. Quieter water can be found at
the east end of the island.
There are ample parking spots for those wishing to
drive, with benches available that make for excellent
lunch stops.
Canoes can be launched at a narrow sand opening on the
north side of the island. By working below the rapids in
a boat, walleye, bass, pike, catfish and panfish can all
be caught. Take extreme care when working a boat, or
wading in and around the fast water. The currents can be
strong here and should always be respected.
#7. New Edinburgh Park
This park offers a nice retreat for the angler, all
within the confines of the city and on the Rideau River.
Located south of Sussex Drive on Stanley Avenue, this
fair-sized green space has most of the amenities needed
for a good day out.
Parking is free, but is fairly limited. If the lot is
full, try one of the side streets that can be found
close by. Launching a canoe can be done at a number of
shoreline spots, but you will have to carry your craft a
fair distance from your vehicle.
Largemouth bass and pike are plentiful at this spot, and
tossing 3/8th oz. spinnerbaits and buzzbaits, in white
or chartreuse hues, can catch both.
There is plenty of shoreline access to cast a line, and
this is one spot that the whole family can enjoy.
Playground equipment is available for entertaining the
kids when the fishing slows, and washroom facilities are
open in the park building when programs are running.
Picnic spots are also provided.
Muskie, carp, walleye, perch, bluegills, crappie, and
smallmouth bass can also be found here, and can lead to
a mixed bag at the end of the day.
Sunfish are a common catch at the park, and are
excellent species to start young anglers off with. A
small piece of worm on an Aberdeen hook, with a bobber
for visual strikes, is your best bet.
The NCC bike path runs through New Edinburg – this will
allow you to fish multiple fishing spots throughout the
day.
#8. Victoria Island
This beautiful island can be found a short walk from
Parliament Hill, and boasts some breathtaking views of
the cityscape and Ottawa River. Motorists will need to
use the Chaudiere Bridge, while pedestrians can access
the island by Portage Bridge or Chaudiere.
Victoria Island, or Turtle Island, is located at the
foot of Chaudieres Falls. This location has strong
Aboriginal roots, and celebrates this culture all summer
with the authentic recreation of an Aboriginal village.
During the warm months, visitors can enjoy Aboriginal
food, dancing and many other activities.
Walleye and smallmouth bass are the most common catches
here, and heavier presentations are needed to work the
current areas. Jigs in ½ or ¾ oz. weights, tipped with
plastics or minnows will work well for both. If slack
water is found, lighten up on the gear.
Parking can be found on the island, as well as picnic
facilities, washrooms and concession areas. This is a
place that the whole family can enjoy, as when the
fishing slows, there are many other activities to do.
Shore spots abound, and finding a quiet spot to yourself
shouldn’t be a problem.
Pike can also be caught here, and are best targeted by
tossing heavy spoons (such as the 5 of Diamonds) to the
current breaks and calmer water. Chartreuse, silver, and
red/white are good colours to start with.
Dunking worms for catfish can also provide fun times. A
heavy sinker and a glob of worms should get you into the
action.
#9. Mooney’s Bay
This large expanse of the Rideau River can be found just
south of the lock station at Hog’s Back, and adjacent to
Riverside Drive. Fishing possibilities are varied here,
and can be done both on shore and from a boat. A launch
ramp (fee) can be found on the south side of Hog’s Back,
but access is limited to 9am to 7pm during the summer
months. Boats can run southward to Black Rapids.
Panfish action can be fast and furious during the early
spring, with crappie, bluegills and sunfish turning up
in good numbers. Fishing around the locks and shoreline
structure with small tubes and grubs will put you in the
action. If fish become finicky, try small minnows or
maggots suspended under a float.
Mooney’s Bay Park can be accessed from Riverside Drive,
giving the shore angler many spots to cast. Work noisy
topwaters during the early morning or evening hours for
the abundant largemouth, with Senko-style baits and
Texas-rigged worms or lizards producing better during
the day.
Parking is available onsite (fee), as well as on many of
the side streets. Picnic tables provide a perfect spot
for a packed lunch, and the supervised beach can make
for a refreshing soak when the heat is on high.
Playground equipment is also available for the kids.
Boat anglers will want to try the numerous humps found
throughout the bay for smallmouth bass. Three-inch tubes
on 5/16th or 3/8oz lead heads are an excellent choice.
Stick to natural colours, such as brown, smoke and
white.
Walleye, pike, carp, and muskie can also be caught. Try
oversized spinnerbaits in black or chartreuse for the
latter.
#10. Billings Bridge
This green space along the Rideau River is surrounded by
hustle and bustle, but can offer some great fishing
throughout the year. It’s located at Bank Street and
Riverside Drive, and across from the Billings Bridge
Plaza.
Access to parking can be found off of Riverside Drive
South only. (They routinely ticket vehicles that park in
the plaza itself, so be forewarned.) The bike path along
the river also runs through the area.
Muskie are routinely caught in this area, and give many
a shore angler a run for their money. Try 6 to 9-inch
jerkbaits in walleye or bass patterns, teamed up with
30-pound-test mono line and a stout rod. Largemouth bass
are also plentiful, and will usually hit topwater baits
early or late in the day. Work a “Spook-style” lure over
likely looking weed edges for exciting action.
Washrooms and restaurants can be found at the plaza. I
prefer to utilize a park bench and a bagged lunch when I
hit this spot, giving me more time to fish.
Panfish, including perch, crappie, bluegill, and sunfish
are also in the area, and are always willing to take a
live bait presentation.
Pike, walleye, and carp can also be tempted to take a
variety of baits and lures. A larger shiner minnow,
suspended under a sensitive float, would work well for
all of these fish. Be prepared for a hard-fought battle
if a carp happens to suck it up!
The Tackle Box
A lowdown on the best baits and tackle for fishing the
Ottawa area.
Bass
Largemouth anglers will feel right at home in Ottawa, as
many of the area waterways sport expansive surface
cover, docks and laydowns, and mile-long weedlines.
Heavy tackle is recommended for this thick stuff, with
baitcast and flipping rods getting the nod. Fourteen to
20-pound-test mono, or higher rated braid will work to
your advantage. Flipping jigs, Texas-rigged worms,
lizards and creature baits, and “jerk-style” plastic
worms all produce well. Topwater frogs, spook-style
baits, and plastic toads will often elicit
heart-pounding strikes.
For smallmouths, 3-inch smoke, brown and pumpkin tubes
are standard, as are large, white willow-leaf
spinnerbaits and popper-style topwaters. Jigs are best
fished with spinning gear, on 6 to 8-pound-test line.
Many of the area lakes and rivers contain clear water,
so finesse-type tactics will often produce for finicky
fish.
Walleye
Anglers will find that jigging is an excellent technique
for Ottawa walleye. Spinning gear, with 6 to
8-pound-test mono or braid equivalent, should do the
trick. Bucktail jigs, standard twistertails, and tubes
are excellent choices, with chartreuse, pink, white,
black and perch being the recommended hues. Tip jigs
with minnows or crawlers for added bites, and rig
plastics weedless when fishing around heavy vegetation.
Crankbaits also work well, with the nod given to
slender-style baits in the 3.5 to 5-inch length. Cast or
troll these lures around likely walleye haunts, and
stick with silver, shad, perch and chartreuse colours
for best results.
Pike
Toss flashy spinnerbaits and bucktails when chasing
Northerns, with a fast retrieve often being your best
bet. Large crankbaits, especially suspending models,
also have their place in an Ottawa anglers’ box.
For topwater thrills, work oversized buzzbaits or “Super
Spooks” around weedbeds. Colour is not so much an issue
when chasing pike, but working flashy lures in an
erratic manner will ring the dinner bell loud and clear.
Make sure you use wire leaders when dealing with these
toothy critters.
Panfish
Ultralight spinning gear, coupled with 4-pound-test
line, is the best set-up for targeting panfish. Whether
it be crappie, perch, ‘gills, or sunfish, micro tubes
suspended under slip floats will always bring in the
fish. Pink, white, red and brown are time-tested colours.
Tinsel jigs are a personal favourite of mine here in
Ottawa, with silver and gold hues producing best. A
portion of worm on a single hook will always work, and
will have you feeling like a kid again.
Mini crankbaits will also work well on pannies, and can
be deadly when twitched subtlety on the surface.
Muskie
The king of freshwater fish is very prevalent in the
Ottawa area, giving first timers and seasoned pro’s an
excellent shot at a trophy. Trolling oversized
crankbaits in the 9 to 14-inch length can often yield
big results. If casting is more your style, work 9 to
12-inch jerkbaits, jumbo topwaters and flashy bucktails
around productive looking areas, making sure to complete
a “figure-8” at the end of each retrieve.
A live or dead sucker worked just off bottom is a common
technique in the Nation’s Capital, especially once the
cold weather of fall hits. Circle hooks should be used
when rigging these chunks of meat up.
Getting there
Ottawa has an excellent transit system, ready to whisk
you away to most urban fishing locations. With a fleet
of 924 buses, there’s no need to drive your car in order
to wet a line. Interactive maps and menus will help you
locate the bus you need.
www.octranspo.com
Bike paths rule this city, and offer an
exercise-friendly option for getting to local honey
holes.
www.canadascapital.gc.ca (site has interactive map for
the Capital Pathway)
For more details, great spots, visit:
City of Ottawa
www.ottawa.ca
Ottawa Boat Launches
www.geocities.com/ottawaboatramps
Ministry of Natural Resources
www.mnr.gov.on.ca/MNR
Tackle Stores and Live Bait Retailers
Baitcasters
135 Hardwood Road – Mississippi Lake
613-264-9696
Bits and Baits
1368 Main Street, Stittsville
613-831-9799
Le Baron
1512 Merivale Road
613-596-4415
Oziles’
1009 Trim Road – Petrie Island
613-841-0778
Sports Action
1555 St. Laurent Boulevard
613-741-0999
Voyageur Depot
379 McArthur Avenue
613-741-3161
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