skdds

Thanks Chris, I've heard that September is a better time for musky and that there are some big fish in the north channel! I did troll along some Jakes and a Believer in a few suggested spots for a while ...but no hits or follows. For sure I needed more time there to work the river and learn more. I also have an opportunity to head up to Lochhaven in September, not sure if will make it or not. I was hoping for some walleye on this last trip. Was not meant to be! still a nice place to stay though..

Back from Rainbow Camp. If you have not been to the French River area of the province you should consider a trip. Very scenic, typical northern shield . Here is a pic of the river from the nearby provincial park.. Rainbow camp is a nice place to stay to relax or fish. The hosts are very friendly and the cabins well looked after and clean. The fishing this weekend was tough. A cold front came through saturday eve and the fishing slowed a lot. No eyes for any of us up there last week but they are there according to the regulars. The river has a lot of deep areas (>70 feet) and as a very typical shield lake lots of rocks..this year some are unmarked just below the high water line so need to be careful. Lost a lot of tackle in the rocks but no props! Caught a few small pike, oos smallies, and a number of good size perch. This one tried to inhale a sucker I was using to lure pike! Heading back to T.O., I finished my weekend minnows on the docks at point au baril..got rewarded with some nice slabs.. All in all nice to get away. BTW, in here is what the sky looks like when a Tornado Warning is issued...luckily did not happen... Thanks for reading! skdds.

Do barbless hooks work any less effectively than barbed with musky and pike fishing?

Finally heading to the French soon, Rainbow Camp ..read the posts here and done some research. First time in this area. I'll probably be trolling to cover as much water as possible. Hope to land some walleye and pike, and if luck prevails a ski. Any tips on lures and productive areas (not asking for honey holes!) and other suggestions would be much appreciated! thanks skdds

I'll check out those lodges. Thanks-skdds

My family and I rented from Egan a few years back for a weekend..not a lot of space on those things but still a lot of fun. Kids and I spent time after dinner picking off rock bass before bed at the shoreline from the boat..would probably do this again. A little nerve wracking going through the locks on the weekend with $$$yachts close by though! Houseboats are also brutally slow, so don't plan on getting anywhere in a hurry.

I assume that water levels that are more consistent are more predictable then..also less likely to loose a prop. Any choice lodges and guides?

For a first trip in the spring would you recommend the upper french or lower french river?

Thanks for this post, I am thinking about heading up to the French in about two weeks..not sure where to go..if the upper french will be a better bet than the lower at this time of year..water temps may be higher in a few weeks and (i guess?) fish may be more active. Most of the posts I read about the French tend to be hit and miss. How have your other trips there been? Did you work any worm harnesses this time out?

Hi guys, Hoping to be in the gravenhurst area sometime this weekend hope to target pike and panfish ....probably from shore however . Any suggestions ?...was thinking the wharf as one spot. Tackle? Thanks! Skdds

Yes, according to the regs, its open downstream -where I was. No rules broken by me! (or the other anglers nearby) The season is closed until end of April upstream from Eglinton...I did check this before I went. You also can't fish however near the dam...there is a sign posted. now...any fishing tips..?

Last weekend I went down with the kids to check out the steelhead run for the first time at the old mill...very cool..many good sized fish jumping the dam (have video..how to load?). So, for fun I rigged up my rod with a slipbobber - crawler and splitshot down by the bridge and allowed it to drift down river. Beginners luck was on my side and I nailed a good sized fish! Now, I would like to work the river again... how long does the steelhead run go for? Any tips for the Humber? Other productive locations and tackle suggestions for a newbie steelhead fan? Thanks skdds

Good ideas will try different times of the day, ...not sure if fished too hard in the winter and don't know much about clarity either. I did not think of currents being a prob? as I've fished other trent severn lakes.. -skdds

...Thanks for the replies,...does not sound to encouraging . I wonder why its not a productive lake? -skdds

Hi Guys, Anyone have any info on ice fishing Sparrow Lake (near gravenhurst)? I've fished it once in summer-was not too productive for me..., but never in the winter and may give it a go this weekend.. thanks skdds

..that one I will definitely check out-skdds

thats' what I was wondering too, although there are many maps that show areas on the lake that you may find certain species.. ..you can also use it to privately mark your own spots for future reference on the google lake map..

Hi Guys, Has anyone found the UfindFish app useful? thanks skdds

...and sometimes you catch the good fish when least expecting..I caught this eye on Rice Lake this past Saturday..High noon, Bright sun and 90 degrees! Not the conditions you usually catch them in, but I did search in deeper water which is where I would expect eye's to be at this time of year after doing some research... I salute your work effort and at least you were not skunked !-skdds

I did not have that problem during the weekdays, weekends? different story, very busy but not anglers..

Back from Gloucester Pool... Thanks to the advice on this thread I nailed this nice pike! right along the weedlines. The pool also gave up some great smallmouth bass-got them on my usual spinner rigs and drop shots,but also slip bobbers-a new technique for me that worked well and was a lot of fun. All on plastics, no live bait this year. My wife caught her first "nice" bass-light line and rod so she had a great fight! lots of fun for me and the kids to watch the action. Water temps were really warm (81degrees!) A few guys I spoke to did really well for largemouth with topwaters. Highlight of the the week? Also nailed my first musky while trolling for more pike....took all the advice from you guys-good rod and reel, 80lb test braid and strong leader-had the incidentals as well if needed. Got the fish to the side of the boat but unfortunately did not land it as I was alone and could not get it into the net safely. It was a good size though, hard fight-felt like I was trying to bring up an SUV from the bottom of the lake. The fish broke the hook itself and then swam off with lots of energy--a good release I guess! If you have not fished the pool you should check it out, a beautiful shield lake, lots of structure, not far from T.O (1.5hours) and not too much boat traffic..during the week that is. -skdds

thanks! will give it try-skdds

Nice Ski!, I am also headed back to the pool, never had any problem with bass-few reports on here.., but have come up short on pike and muskie, what kind of structure in gloucester pool will hold good pike and maybe a muskie this time of year? are they deep? shallow?-skdds

I feel your pain! just got back from GP too. Lot of smallies hitting the lure while trolling near big chute and the channel. I was hoping for walleye..don't think they come too easily in this lake, although I caught one there last year. What are some of your go to lures/details trolling for the pike?. I too will be back there..staying near Marie I. about mid july. -skdds

Welcome to the board..I'll hopefully be fishing Gloucester this weekend..I'm also curious what's happening there! some eyes and pike would be nice-skdds