Bass opens on the Ottawa a week later than the other zones??

Post by **Flipper** » Thu Jun 15, 2006 3:24 pm

For as long as I can remember, bass opened on the Ottawa River (Zone 12) on the last Friday in June and, for Zone 9 and 10, the last Saturday in June. That means the Ottawa opens one day earlier, right? Nope, not this year.
This year, the last day of June is a Friday! Major bummer. We, who fish the Ottawa, now have to wait almost a week longer than those Zone 9 and 10 anglers!
How can this be!
So I call the Ministry on their toll-free number and get an automated attendant... how dow do you ask a computer about a discrepency like that? I panic and hit the zero button repeatedly and then finally a real human comes on the line (or a call centre - the next best thing to a real human). I state the ludicrousness of the impending penalty and the gentleman replies "that's legislation for ya". Too blunt to be a call centre in India me thinks but no help. I bet he doesn't fish.
Anyhow, I emailed the Minister of Natural Resources. Hopefully he can step in and post an ammendment on their website quickly. He will realize the seriousness of the situation. Time's running out!

Post by **Trophymuskie** » Thu Jun 15, 2006 8:00 pm

I'm sure it used to be 3rd Friday or Saturday of June or a week after Muskie opener which is second Friday or Saturday.

Ya the regulations say the Ottawa doesn't open untill the 30th but someone told me it opens on the Quebec side earlyer. I remember last year or the one before the Quebec side opened a couple of days early for some odd reason.

Post by **Fishboy** » Thu Jun 15, 2006 8:45 pm

The Ottawa River is Southeastern Ontario, Map B (pg. 19 in the regs book), Zone 12 and bass officially opens the last Friday in June - that would be the 23rd this year. The rest of Southeastern Ontario opens for bass on the last Saturday in June. Same goes for Central Ontario, Map C (pg. 31).

Post by **mdej** » Thu Jun 15, 2006 9:49 pm

Just how the calandar roles some years.

My understanding is that its June 30th, last saturday in June.... sucks yes... but thats the rule.

Just think of the good side. This won't happen again until 2017 (seriously)

Post by **Gord** » Fri Jun 16, 2006 5:50 am

Fishboy wrote: Zone 12 and bass officially opens the last Friday in June - that would be the 23rd this year.

.......look closely at the calender dude. The last Friday in June is the 30th.

Post by **RVALLEE1** » Fri Jun 16, 2006 8:57 am

Yes the last Friday in June is the 30th. Besides this confusing date issue I was told that you need to have 2 fishing permits to fish the Ottawa River

I was told that if you fish on the Quebec side of the river you need a Quebec license

Can you guys clarify this for me

I have never heard of this before and I typically launch my boat at pietrie island and fish all over the shores on the Quebec side and so on and no one ever asked me to see my licenses, I could just be lucky, I'm not sure.

Thanks

Big Bass Daddy

Post by **Northern King** » Fri Jun 16, 2006 9:23 am

From what I have heard, You need a license for whatever side of the river you are going to be fishing on. If you are going to launch your boat on either side you will need a license for that side of the river as well. So lets say you were launching on the Ontario side and wanted to fish the quebec side you would need both licenses.
But if you are launching from Ontario side and you are only fishing that side of the river you would only need a Ontario license. Basically, I wouldn't even go on the Quebec side with rods in your boat if you have no license for Quebec or vice versa.

Post by **Wallyboss** » Fri Jun 16, 2006 9:27 am

Either license as long as you don't go into one of the rivers.

Post by **Fishboy** » Fri Jun 16, 2006 9:46 am

Bowzog,

D'OH!!! My mistake about the last Saturday.

Post by **RVALLEE1** » Fri Jun 16, 2006 9:53 am

Thanks Guys! I will mostly go and fish the canal entrance across from Cumberland picnic area right where the channel entrance has the big Hydro towers, is that OK or is that still considered the Quebec side. I will be launching from Petrie Island.

I'm not familiar with the Ottawa river so I'm not really interested in driving my boat all over the place, basically I'm looking for channels to fish for pike.

Thanks

Post by **Bear** » Fri Jun 16, 2006 3:12 pm

Glad i looked at this post, likeTrophymusky i always thought the 3rd saturday as well, and a note to flipper, check the bass closing dates for div 10

about a month and a half sooner than 12

Post by **McQ** » Fri Jun 16, 2006 3:17 pm

Another misunderstanding????

Isn't it amazing how the posts on the internet take on such a life. Just check the regs they are very clear in both languages.

The Ottawa river is open to fish with either license but if an Ontario resident launches in Quebec then a Quebec permit is necessary to transport fish in the Province of Quebec.

This rule applies from the Carillon Dam to the first dam above Temiskaming.

There are no other restrictions per the Quebec ministry.