Where to Go Fishing in Ottawa

Fishing is so much more than simply waiting to catch a fish. The beauty of this hobby lies in the sense of camaraderie, peace and relaxation one feels when going out on a fishing adventure at the end of a busy week at work. You need just a few basic things in your fishing kit, such as your favourite rod and reel, fishing line (the braided line is recommended), a package of fishing weights, a few fish hooks, a bobber, and your choice of live bait or fishing lures.

Multiple studies have shown that recreational fishing can help anglers stay fit, healthy and be significantly more relaxed. Given its benefits, it comes as no surprise that many celebrities, including Jim Hoey, Mark Krupa, Liam Neeson, Brad Pitt, and Kevin Costner are well-known hobbyist fishers.

If you live in Ottawa, or if you are simply passing through this amazing city, you should know that there are plenty of fishing spots that you can try out.

Dows Lake

Dows Lake is the go-to location if you want to get away from the busy city life. This man-made lake is the place to be if you like to try your luck at catching big carp, bass, bluegill, perch, sunfish, muskie, crappie, and pike.

The lake is fisher-friendly as it features a large launch ramp that you can make use of. In the area, you can find plenty of restaurants, boat rental businesses, and washrooms. If you travel by car, there is also a parking lot that you can use.

Eccolands Park

If you love angling for muskie, Eccolands Park is the place for you. In the summer, you can come here to fish for walleye, provided that you come supplied with your favorite fishing rod hard case and all the extra gear that you might need.

Here, you can also angle for perch, bluegills, sunfish and smallmouth bass. On-site, you can find a parking lot, a picnic area, plenty of washroom facilities, as well as a playground where your children can safely play in. A free-of-charge launch ramp is also available.

Victoria Island

Also known as Turtle Island, Victoria Island is easy to access by car. Once you get there, you can enjoy an amazing view of the city and the Ottawa river. The most catches here are Smallmouth bass and walleye. However, with a bit of luck, you can also come here to fish for pike and catfish.

Similarly to other locations already mentioned, this is a great spot for a family outing. The area provides you with access to plenty of washrooms as well as concession areas. The Island has a parking facility and a beautiful picnic area.

Petrie Island

Petrie Island is, by far, one of the most popular angling locations for local fishing enthusiasts. If you come here during spring or fall, you can cast for walleye with much success. The island includes multiple launch ramps that are free of charge, and there are plenty of cafes, parking lots and boat rentals that you can try.

Permits

Getting a boating license that is good for use anywhere in Canada is easy and then obtaining a permit to also fish in Canada is fairly simple, for both residents and non-residents. To learn more about all the licenses that are currently available, you can visit the official site of the Ontario government.

Photo: Larisa Koshkina, Pixabay