"Only a half-hour drive northwest of the nation’s capital, Constance Lake is a circular, single-basin lake, prime for warm-water species such as largemouth bass, black crappie, catfish, carp and yellow perch, as well as pan fish such as pumpkinseed and brown bullheads. Known historically as a pike lake, the pike are still abundant, but on the small side, averaging 2 lbs. Today, anglers tend to focus on black crappie due to their relative abundance. Because of the lake’s shallow depth — averaging three metres — Constance Lake is often the first lake in the area to freeze and the last to thaw in spring, making it a big draw for ice fishing. “Fishing can be slow, but great potential for largemouth and crappy,” online user Basshunter 247 reports on iFish Ontario. Try surface baits to hook into some bass action. The Ottawa Region Walleye League holds an annual kids ice fishing derby on the lake in mid-February. LAKE ACCESS Constance Lake is only a 30-minute drive northwest of Ottawa and can be reached by heading west on Highways 17 and 49, followed by Highway 9. A private boat launch can be used for a small fee at the restaurant on the access road to the lake. "

Map of The Day: June 14, 2016

Only a half-hour drive northwest of the nation’s capital, Constance Lake is a circular, single-basin lake, prime for warm-water species such as largemouth bass, black crappie, catfish, carp and yellow perch, as well as pan fish such as pumpkinseed and brown bullheads. Known historically as a pike lake, the pike are still abundant, but on the small side, averaging 2 lbs. Today, anglers tend to focus on black crappie due to their relative abundance. Because of the lake’s shallow depth — averaging three metres — Constance Lake is often the first lake in the area to freeze and the last to thaw in spring, making it a big draw for ice fishing. “Fishing can be slow, but great potential for largemouth and crappy,” online user Basshunter 247 reports on iFish Ontario. Try surface baits to hook into some bass action. The Ottawa Region Walleye League holds an annual kids ice fishing derby on the lake in mid-February. LAKE ACCESS Constance Lake is only a 30-minute drive northwest of Ottawa and can be reached by heading west on Highways 17 and 49, followed by Highway 9. A private boat launch can be used for a small fee at the restaurant on the access road to the lake. Constance Lake Lodge sells bait, rents heated shacks and drills your fishing holes. Motorboats, rowboats and canoes are also available to rent.

Constance Lake Lodge