Taken on the Upper Rideau Lake, Westport On

I used to fish for crappie from shore at beveridge locks near Port Elmsley in the spring time after the ice came off the Rideau, is this still a good spot at all? I think it may have gotten over fished because I never see anyone there or catch any fish the few times I have went recently. Picture for attention

Big Rideau Lake is the largest and deepest lake of the Rideau Canal waterway and it can be a great spot for smallmouth and largemouth bass as well as lake trout, walleye and large northern pike. Al Chouinard, from Canadian Tire in Smiths Falls, says that pike are plentiful in Big Rideau Lake, and recalls a time when his daughter caught 18 pike while ice fishing at Nodes Point. “My recommendation for anglers to add to their tackle box is the Ripplin Red Fin in blue and silver. Another lure I would recommend would be the Z-Man ChatterBait white and black. You can pick these beauties up at Canadian Tire in Smiths Falls. Pike and walleye season begin on the first weekend in May. The bass anglers start showing up in late June. There is good bass and pike fishing in Hogg Bay or adjoining Loon Lake. Bigger largemouth bass are caught around Stonehouse Island. Black crappie and sunfish are plentiful in Big Rideau Lake. Trolling along the channel edge is likely to produce a number of bass and musky. A crawfish-coloured Fat Rap has been known to work well for both species. Musky, however, tend to catch on after being caught and released a few times. If no musky are biting, the key is to change your set up. There are scads of perch, crappie and bluegill throughout the canal waterway. These are lots of fun for kids and adults alike, and make excellent table fare if you’re going to keep what you catch. Lake trout are sustained by yearly stocking, but they can be difficult to catch on the waterway. In warmer months, keep an eye out for bait balls on the surface, a big draw for lakers. Troll to a depth range of 60-100 ft. Catch-and-release is encouraged with lake trout due to the fishing pressure and the number of years required for these fish to mature. Canadian Tire in Smith Falls has a great selection of lures and gear to help you get ready for a day of fishing at Big Rideau Lake. LAKE ACCESS Big Rideau is 72 km southwest of Ottawa between the towns of Portland and Rideau Ferry. From Ottawa, take Highway 417 west for approximately 30 km until it intersects with Highway 7 near Stittsville-Basswood. Take the southwest exit. Follow Highway 7 for another 30 km until arriving at Carleton Place. From there, turn south onto Highway 15 for another 50 km and pass through Smith Falls. Continue along Highway 15 until the road intersects with County Road 38 on the west (right). Follow County Road 38 to the north end of Big Rideau Lake. There are a half-dozen boat launches around the lake.

A fun weekend spent on Big Rideau Lake! Bass were the primary targeted species but it's not all that was caught! More photos to come 🎣

My better half and a beauty...

My better half and a beauty Bass on a great September morning! Taken in a bay on Big Rideau Lake

Decided to bring a couple lakers home this trip , 24.25" & 21" , gang troll with 4" blue/grey minnow trailing 2' behind, 2.5 MPH about 60' down ( choppy day they were up a bit)