007

I was just wondering what everybody else does with their fish. Whenever I am out fishing people stop and ask if I have caught anything, when I tell them yes - they usually want to see it - which assumes I have kept it, and they are surprised when I say I put them back. There seems to be a philosophy of catch and keep/eat rather than fishing for the sport/enjoyment. I know I come from England where it is all catch n release and here in Canada there is a history of eating what you catch but I was just curious as to what today's angler does and whether Catch n Release is getting more popular or not. I hope I have done the poll thing correctly - otherwise the multiple choice answers to the question would have been: 100% Catch n Release Mostly Catch n Release but occasionally eat a fish caught Target certain fish for eating and put others back 100% Fish to Eat - keep everything within the regs limits cheers 007

Tony B and Mike - You're right of course, and it has been going over and over in my mind why I didn't take my landing net, because thinking back there were a couple of occasions where I probably could have easily netted the fish. The reason for not taking the net was threefold - 1) I've noticed that a lot of people don't use a landing net when fishing from boats so I didn't think it was the done thing; 2) because the last time I used a net for a pike as I untangled the fish and lure from the net I got the trebles through my hand - so in the back of my mind I guess I associate the two things with a nasty result; and 3) I forgot! I need to remember the net and not let a bad experience spoil future ones!

Thanks MJL - that cheered me up a bit - maybe I'll keep it on my list of species 'caught' this year (until hopefully I can net/land/boat one and have truly caught one)!

Nice fish - congratulations! Thanks for sharing 007

Nice 'Eyes' Terry!

Good job TBayboy - congrats on your first muskie!!

Hi everyone, Well I decided it was time that I explored some new fishing grounds this weekend and try and catch another species of fish on my list. So my wife and I rented a car in T.O and headed north to Cook's Bay. Thanks to PatrickG we managed to find a boat rental. This was the first time I had ever fished from a boat and after a quick lesson we were off. The plan was to stay relatively close to shore in Cook's Bay in the area near Gilford and fish the shallow weedlines (8-10ft) where we had been told the perch and other panfish were and maybe the odd large pike! I started off casting the new perch/firetiger Xrap Shad lures I had picked up from Bass Pro yesterday. After 30mins of no luck I gave up as I get impatient easily and could see perch chasing my lures. So I decided I could get my money's worth (boat cost $90 for 4hours) if I had a few hours of fun catchin perch instead. I switched to worms and hooked into plenty of small perch. I then decided to try out my green/chartreuse micro tubes under a float - bang even more perch, some pretty large pumpkinseed and the smallest rock bass imaginable LOL. Here's a few pictures that my wife took. A few enjoyable hours passed with dozens upon dozens of fish caught and released. Then with about half an hour to go before we were due to return the boat I was bringing in a pumpkinseed and a large pike came from nowhere and almost went for my catch. So I put my light panfish rod down and picked up my medium heavy rod with 12lb line on attached a wire trace and the 'hot steel' Xrap in my box - which had the closest colours to a pumpkinseed. First cast - wouldn't you know just as the lure comes into view we see the large pike follow the lure. I pause.... and bam... fish on!! After a few minutes and some good runs pulling line off my spool I bring the fish to the surface, as it gets near the boat it takes off under the boat but I manage to turn it quickly and with it tiring I bring it back towards the surface. This was a really hard fighting pike and easily my personal best at easily 30-32 inches in length. I reach down grab the line with one hand and am about to grab the fish with the other and splash.... snap..... There goes the my best ever pike..... my first of the year.... my lure and the leader!!! The line had snapped and I could only watch helpless as the fish slowly swam away with my lure into the weeds below........ My wife took this pic moments later.... I think the caption "despair" sums it up!! Needless to say with hopes dashed we pulled up the anchor, started the engine and headed for shore. They say bad luck comes in threes - well I had had 2 pieces of bad luck - first losing my biggest pike, second losing my lure (a lure I had only just replaced from one lost on a snag at the T.O Islands).... so I should have been looking out for number three. As I sat in the car with the door open a bird flying past decides to drop a surprise with pinpoint accuracy through the car door and onto my leg! Oh well.... could have been worse I guess... could have been skunked.... could have been a seagull that 'carped' on me. It won't be long and i'll be back out there - have the day off tomorrow so may hit the T.O islands and see if I have better luck with pike or perhaps carp there. Cheers 007 P.S A couple of questions... How much would a fairly chunky 30-32inch pike weigh?? ......and does anyone else ever feel dizzy after a sunny day in a boat?! LOL Or is my apartment moving..........I need to go and lie down LOL

Mikey Mikey - Yes there were some boats out fishing near Port Perry but only a handful. 007

Looks like you had a good time out there with the panfish - did you really catch the perch and rockbass with an Xrap? LOL Better luck next time with the pike PB. 007

I'm planning on heading up to Lake Simcoe tomorrow and want to take my wife out in a boat for a bit of cruising and fishing. Can anyone recommend somewhere to rent a small boat somewhere around Cooks Bay? Also what am I likely to catch? Perch I presume... but what about anything else? Thanks 007

My wife and I decided to rent a car and go for a drive - we drove to Port Perry - my first visit to Lake Scugog. Fishing wasn't really on the agenda and when we reached Scugog I wasn't tempted to either - just in Port Perry by the marina/park there were 5-6 decomposing carp on the shore and what with the warm weather everywhere stank of rotting fish. I asked the girl at the boat rental what was causing it and she said that the rumour is its a virus and is only affecting the carp. 007

Thanks everyone - looks like I should try the Kawarthas at some point - perhaps Balsam Lake. Thanks again 007

Wow - lots of info - thanks Nomad. Fishinfool - if I head up Balsam way I will let you know and take you up on those bass n musky spots. TonyB - thanks for the glimpse of Restoule - am looking forward to my trip there in three weeks but was worrying about the fishing - but looks like you had a good time. Was that Boat rental place close to the Provincial Park? Cheers 007

Good to see you're back fishing again dsn. Nice shots. I'm thinking of taking Monday off work - any chance you might be able to give me a lesson in carp catching so I can break the 2007 carp skunk?! I'll try and PM you later. 007

Hey Aaron. I will be up at Restoule PP for the forthcoming long weekend June 30th to July 4th. I have heard that it is a beautiful place with some smallmouth and walleye fishing - which is why I booked a nice lakeside site. Looking for my first walleye. My only concern is finding somewhere to rent a boat or finding some good shore fishing opportunities. When are you going to be up there? Fishinonthebrain - sounds like I should look for that small back lake full of bass too - GPS coordinates please? LOL HeadHunter - You're right. I had heard that Killarney isn't the best for fishing as many lakes are still recovering from acid rain pollution. I picked that camping trip for the scenery though not the fishing. Killbear would have been my choice for fishing Georgian Bay but Killarney sounds like a beautiful place for hiking and not to be missed.

Golfisher - all my camping trips for June, July and August were booked months ago to make sure I got a good site - I had been warned by a friend that leaving it till now would mean they would all be filled up. I am now looking to book a trip in mid-September when there is more availability (after the school holidays finish I guess) however I am finding that many of the parks close at least 50% of their sites after the Labor Day weekend! For example, some OFNcers have previously recommended that I go to Bonnechere PP and get a site on the river - when I contacted the park I was told that all those prime sites are closed as it is the end of the season! Thanks again Dartee - I'm seriously considering Charleston Lake and will do some more research on it. Any shore fishing opportunities? Thanks Gerritt - I tried to get a waterfront site at Killbear for this month - but they were already taken or that part of the campground didn't open until the end of the month. Looks like a nice park, if a little busy.

Hi folks. As many of you know I am trying to catch as many Ontario's fish species this year. I'm doing ok so far and have plans for trips to catch a few more on the list. However the one fish I would like to catch but have no clue where to go to catch one is the good old Muskie! I would be very grateful if anyone can suggest any lakes to try (preferably within 3 hours drive of Toronto). No need for honey holes or exact locations just a clue as to which lakes might be worth trying. I am not looking to catch a record fish or anything just a chance to catch one of these amazing creatures, (however small - likely to be with my luck) LOL Also, is it possible to catch Muskies from shore or would I need to find somewhere with boat rentals? Any suggestions of Ontario Provincial Parks with lakes containing muskies would also be good so that I could turn the fishing trip into a camping trip too. Thanks in advance. 007

Thanks Dartee - just the kind of info I needed. From looking at the campground info available Charleston Lake does look like the better place - was hoping for good tent sites close to the water with privacy. Sounds like Charleston Lake also wins over Murphy's Point for fishing. Have you fished Charleston in September - is the fishing still good then? Cast Away - I had looked at Massassauga - looked like the perfect place to get away from it all but alas I have no boat (I guess the inflatable dinghy doesn't count! LOL) So I think my search is narrowed to Bonnechere or Charleston Lake....hmm Any more replies or info would be greatly received or I might just have to get a quarter out of my pocket and flip for it!!

Thanks for the replies. Brifishrgy - I will certainly look into Grundy Lake as I open to suggestions for any parks with good fishing within 3hours drive of Toronto. Has anyone fished Charleston Lake or Murphy's Point Provincial Parks over in SE Ontario?

Bump.... C'mon folks... there must be someone out there who can tell me what the fishing is like at one of these parks? All help appreciated. 007

Hi folks. I've officially caught the camping bug. Have had one successful trip to Algonquin and have others planned to the following provincial parks over the next three months - Restoule, Silent Lake, Fairbank and Killarney. However I am thinking of planning one more for mid September and have been considering Arrowhead, Bonnechere and Charleston Lake. Can anyone tell me which has the best fishing opportunities in September and what I might catch at each of them? Thanks in advance for the help! 007

I have visited Algonquin about 5-6 times in the last few years and love it there, but I was surprised to read in their visitor centre that logging still goes on today as I hadn't seen any evidence of it. When I read more into the subject, it seems that logging does take place but they manage it so that it doesn't take place near any of the roads, trails or canoe routes so it doesn't spoil the visitor experience. My guess is that these days they are into sustainable logging techniques which have less impact and allows trees to regenerate. But even so, with such an amazing park - scenery and wildlife - 'protected' for the people I would prefer that it became a true wilderness park and there was no logging. But those who work the land there I'm sure would disagree. Just my thoughts. 007

Congratulations on the PB carp. Your posts this year have been inspiring but now I'm just getting depressed - need to get out there and break my 2007 carp skunk! LOL 007

It's been said before but.... Wow! What a great report full of so many big pike and great photos. I particularly like the close-up pike head..... and the sunset..... and the bear cub...... Fantastic shots. Thanks for taking the time to post the report. 007

That first heron shot is fantastic. Congrats on the pike too. 007