adempsey

Not much more to add, but someone put up a decent summary here: http://www.fishingsimcoe.com/tackle-talk

Thanks MuskyG. I did forget to include that information. We have to rent the boat. A more remote setting is much preferred (i.e., no water skiing or jet skiis). Typically the American Plan fishing packages offer the boat and bait and all that as well. I fished the French River last October and you are right, it's a really beautiful region. I actually plan on going back this summer for a weekender. I fish the Kawartha lakes regularly. Mostly weekend and day trips. I suppose that's the other reason I am looking further away from Toronto since I often do day and weekend trips to the lakes within a few hours drive, and that includes a lot of places. Thanks for your suggestions. Cheers!

First, I apologize for the topic. I know it gets old, but somehow it will help you catch more fish! Karma and all that.... I am taking my father fishing for our annual 1 week fishing trip at the beginning of July. Although, the date is negotiable, we just typically go after bass season opens up around my zone. I am looking for a lake that is in the Timmins, Cochrane, Chapleau, Kirkland area in Ontario that offers, not surprisingly, good fishing!! Basically, this area is <12 hours drive for us and is the reason I chose it. Although, I am open to others within the same distance from Toronto. I'd prefer a drive-to or boat-to lodge. We fish primarily for Walleye, but like to target Bass, panfish and Pike. I love to fish for Lakers and Whitefish too, but typically target them during the hardwater season...but, I am up for the open water challenge on these as well. The past two years we went to Lady Evelyn Lake. We enjoyed it both times, but with so many lakes in Ontario/Quebec, I feel the need to move around. I am currently looking into Ivanhoe Lake and Lake Kipawa. I have read great things about Ivanhoe, but mixed reviews on Kipawa. Finding a lodge is overwhelming at times, so any suggestions would be most appreciated. I do plan on attending the fishing and boating show in February here in Toronto as well. However, nothing can compare to personal experiences from fellow fishermen. Thanks in advance!

I don't own one, but I will this summer. They are super lightweight and have received great reviews. Not sure if it's all hype or not, but I plan on finding out. Last I checked they were $165 at a major retailer...only place I seen them in stock in my area. There is also a camouflaged pattern rod, called camo stix, that are similar but made by USA Custom Rods. I read these are good too.

Starbucks instant is really good. It's fairly expensive though at over $1 per pack. I often get the instant coffee that has coffee, sugar and whitener in a little packet - brand is Maxim, but probably made by one of the big companies and not really marketed here. It's kinda sweet for my taste since I typically go for black coffee, but it's handy and much cheaper than the Starbucks. Not sure where else it's available, but it's commonly available at the Korean grocery stores in my area. Still can't beat fresh brewed no matter how it's made.

Park at Yorkdale Mall and take the TTC down to the convention center. Especially if you want to drop your wife off for the day to shop. Although, parking there is hell.

Take buddy 1 fishing. He probably needs it and being reminded of what he's missing can only help. Hopefully his wife isn't a total psycho next season. Take buddy 2 up to camp and stay Sunday, call in sick on Monday.

Thanks for the suggestions. Those two are very close to the ice hut operator. Going to check into them further. Cheers!

I am hoping to ice fish lake Bernard for a weekend with some friends this season and was hoping some experienced members could offer some suggestions as to where a group of 4 adults could spend three nights over a weekend. Mostly interesting in a resort and a 2 bedroom cottage. Any help would be appreciated. I don't mind suggestions for other lakes as well within a 3 hour drive of Toronto, if you're so inclined. We are targeting lake trout, whitefish and hopefully at least one other species such as pike, walleye or perch. Cheers!!!

I was up at Pigeon a few weeks ago at Pigeon Lake Resort. We fished up in Nogies Bay at the end in 6-15 FOW. It is very close to Pigeon Lake Resort. My buddy caught a small muskie (26" or so) and another broke his line. The first he caught on a 2" plastic grub and the other a 3" plastic grub. We were not fishing for them at the time, although we brought our gear we were focusing on bass and walleye. There were a number of people who were trolling through that area for musky, but I did not see anyone land anything. I also rented from Camp Fisherman in the past. They are located closer to Gannon Narrows. I prefer to fish this part of the lake when I am going for bass, walleye and muskie. The northern part of the lake has many steep drop offs down to 30FOW. I prefer fishing in 6-12FOW. When I was at Camp Fisherman there was a group of Musky fishermen and they brought in a big musky every day [they ate them]. I saw them fishing near Gannon Narrows one of the days, but have no idea where they caught their fish. The lake is full of structure and weed lines. The areas marked on that map are probably accurate, but it definitely doesn't contain all the spots that would be good. Just take a look at a bathymetric map and I am sure you can find spots that look like they hold fish. Good luck!

Hi OFNers! I know these types of posts are put up all the time, but I don't see the harm in asking anyway. I am looking for a new place to vacation this summer. I try to go somewhere new each year with my family for a week vacation. I typically go somewhere in the Kawarthas but have ventured to other places in southern ontario as well. Usually I hit Rice Lake, which has many great resorts, but wanted to try something new again this year; especially since I also do weekenders there. I am interested in an inland lake with decent fishing - primarily walleye, bass, panfish. Resort needs to rent decent boats; and be clean/maintained, have a pool and a beach. Basically, I need to find somewhere that doesn't look like the cottage was filled with furniture from a garage sale to appease my wife, and a pool and a sandy beach to keep my daughter happy. Anywhere in the region between Peterborough, Kingston, Ottawa and Algonquin Park. I am avoiding the Muskokas and any "big water". I am currently researching the Land'O'Lakes region, but as always there are a ton of resorts to go through and personal experience often far outweighs what's available on the websites (if they even exist). So, if anyone has any personal experiences and recommendations (good and bad) that would be most appreciated!! Thanks in advance.

If it were me I'd pick up a St.Croix Mojo Rod. They have a whole range designed for the various fishing methods. If I needed it to be two piece I would get a St.Croix Premier 6'6" or 7' MH rod. Good price performance on these rods IMO. The other suggestions are all good though. It's always nice to go and actually touch all the rods and see what you like. Sad to read that your Rapala TS2 broke jc2ho. I just picked one up to upgrade an older backup rod. I haven't used it yet though. Probably should have just dropped the extra $40 for a St.Croix or Shimano....oh well. Good luck!

I used to collect these at the beach along Lake Erie as a kid.

Is this for iPhone only? or does it work with an iTouch?? I don't have either, but would consider an iTouch. I just dropped $200 on maps for my portable GPS too =\

1. Jig and plastic grub 2. Storm Hot'n'Tot 3. Rapala X-Rap 4. Spinnerbait 5. Zara Spook or Jitterbug

Rain Suit Handheld GPS & Portable Sonar (I don't own a boat) Windproof lighter Fishing License Fish toolkit (clippers, scissors, pliers, mouth spreader)

Try the Rice Lake Fishing Board or the Kawartha Anglers Board. Usually reports on there. Cheers.

Well, if you're getting a lot of emails I'd say something is up. Could be people are just hoping for a good deal OR it might be worth something. I'd say get it appraised somewhere. At the very least look for some stamps on the bottom, any info you can find and Google it.

Overall, looks me to like you got most bases basically covered. I'd pick up some single tail grubs. Best all around artificial bait IMO. All fish species, all seasons. You may also want to augment some plastics with a couple of colors. I typically buy at least 1 earthtone (brown,green), 1 white/pink and 1 crazy bright like chartreuse/lotsa sparkles. Yum brand are a good value IMO. Maybe add a lipless crankbait.

I fished Pigeon a few times last year. Stayed at Camp Fisherman. I really like this lake. Great depth range. Very shallow in the southern part, great for bass. I fished mostly in the mid-section on the western shore. There is a large stretch from 8 to 15 feet full of weeds. The northern section has deeper water and some good spots for musky. I actually fished just around that lodge as well. Looked like a nice place. I'd suggest just heading West from that lodge, that is where that large weed bed is. Anway, there are a lot of good fishing opportunities there. You can also head over to Buckhorn and Chemong (although I have not done that yet myself) if you wanted. You should have a good time. I'll probably be back this year for a weekender.

I purchased some maps from Adventure maps before. They weren't bad and were definitely better than nothing. I suppose it would depend on the lake though. I also bought maps from Trak Maps before. I like these maps. I also just bought the Ont/Que map set for my GPS. http://www.trakmaps.com/index.php Try anglersatlas.com also, you may find them for free. These are similar to Adventure maps (if I recall correctly). I also just picked up a fishing book from Le Baron recently that has a bunch of fishing maps and fishing tips in it. It's from Ontario Outdoor Publications. It's about 10 years old but I actually found all the information quite useful. The maps aren't bathymetric though, they just show where certain types of fish are supposed to be.

There used to be a rail line going across the lake from back in the day (1850's) when everything was constructed in straight lines. It runs through Tic island (formerly Ticket island). It was built to connect Cobourg to Peterborough. Head toward Tic island and you will see the marker buoys where you supposed to pass through to avoid the sunken railway. http://www.harwoodmuseum.ca/railway3.htm

Ya, I used the suction cup last season (with petroleum jelly). It worked ok, but always came off eventually. I decided to either get a wooden board and C-clamp or buy one of those aluminum rods with clamps that are available from BSP for about $40. The board is probably a lot cheaper =).

Somewhat unrelated, but I was curious if folks use gas that has no ethanol in it? It was suggested to me that gas with 5-10% ethanol doesn't store well over the winter. I don't even have a boat but I found it interesting.

If I received a pic like that in the mail I would probably send you a few lures to. My head needs to stay attached to my body after all.