Lower Rideau Lake Ice Fishing

Post by **DalhousieLakeTom** » Fri Jan 28, 2011 10:03 pm

Spent 2 hours this morning right at the weed line off Stonehouse Island. Took my Dad out to get the stink blown off him. He jigged while I experimented with some ultra-lite jigs tipped with Berkley Gulp Waxies.

Between 9-11 we caught one jumbo perch, one pike, one Largemouth Bass, two crappies and 6 bluegills. Went home for some sleep and picked the kids up after school and hit the ice with my son for some more night time slabs. The bite was actually kind of slow out there tonight. We kept 2 big crappies and released 3 small ones. My son actually outfished me.

This is the best way to spend a day off work in the winter if you ask me! Loving ice fishing again now that I can share with my kids.

Duncan with the first fish of the night:

Thanks to my buddy for lending us his Clam. Now I want one of these things:

See you all in the morning at RJ's shack!

Tom

Post by **DalhousieLakeTom** » Fri Jan 28, 2011 10:04 pm

Video of my little guy in action:

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Post by **cprince** » Fri Jan 28, 2011 10:21 pm

Gettin' her done with your boy... can't get better memories than that!!

Thanks for sharing... and I think you have a fishing partner for life.

Craig

Post by **Tip-up** » Fri Jan 28, 2011 10:28 pm

Nice work Duncan, ya got a great hand on those crappie. Great report Tom!

Post by **Lonnie** » Sat Jan 29, 2011 6:19 pm

the future of the sport right there!!
nice.
LK

Post by **Bear** » Sat Jan 29, 2011 6:23 pm

Cool

Post by **DalhousieLakeTom** » Sat Jan 29, 2011 9:10 pm

What a difference a night makes. The crappies were back on the feed tonight big time! A buddy and I half-filled a 5 gallon pail with slabs tonight and we threw back about a dozen that were a bit on the small side.

We only fished 6-8 PM. Crippled Herrings and Forage Minnows tipped with small dace were the ticket tonight but still had some finicky fish that only seemed to take the tiny shrimp jigs.

See you on the ice.

Post by **JimW** » Sat Jan 29, 2011 9:56 pm

Good job on the crappie.

I am hoping to make it out Wednesday evening to try my luck.

JimW

Post by **Dore** » Sun Jan 30, 2011 10:29 am

Great Report dude !

Post by **DalhousieLakeTom** » Sun Jan 30, 2011 5:31 pm

My coworker didn't believe me when I told him I throw crappies back unless they are at least 10" long. He believes me now after catching a half-bucket of these with me Saturday night. My biggest this winter so far was just under 14"!

Couple dandy slabs:

My fillet knife is getting dull and I'm going to have to sharpen it alot this winter if the lake keeps coughing fish up like these ones.

Cajun shake n bake on fillets then into the hot oil pan for two minutes!

Goes great with beer.

Post by **bradford2** » Sun Jan 30, 2011 7:46 pm

Those are some great slabs! Very nice.

Post by **i got worms** » Sun Jan 30, 2011 7:52 pm

looks like i better get my azz out there before they're all gone!!!

Post by **darkelf** » Sun Jan 30, 2011 8:00 pm

very nice guys, can i ask whats the easiest way to get on the ice?
never been there. any spots to stay away from?

Post by **DalhousieLakeTom** » Sun Jan 30, 2011 8:28 pm

There are two good access points to the lake: Beveridges Locks boat ramp and Yacht Club Conservation Area boat ramp at Rideau Ferry.

Both are plowed out nicely and lead over to the same general area out on the lake. There is a bit of top water in spots now but the ice in the middle is near 20" thick now.

ALWAYS stay away from the bridge at Rideau Ferry and don't go any further east than Stonehouse Island. The Tay River flows into the Rideau there so the ice will be poor there.

I won't make anyone go on the ice but just remember safety first. Hope to see you out there.

Post by **darkelf** » Sun Jan 30, 2011 8:37 pm

thanks tom, maybe i'll make it out there next weekend if i don't do the baitcasters tourny.