Ottawa river/area wading question

[Jameszy]

Is the river still too high to wade? I went back to my 2 spots few weeks back and definitely not fishable right now. Has anyone been wading at all on the Ottawa or around? Is there anywhere I can go this week?

Thanks!!

[John Zach]

I haven’t been out in the past few days, but I’ve observed that the river has been higher this year than most other years, and for longer. I could be wrong, but I think most spots will still be higher than you might want to wade in. I’d wait until about mid June, personally.

[Jameszy]

I haven’t been out in the past few days, but I’ve observed that the river has been higher this year than most other years, and for longer. I could be wrong, but I think most spots will still be higher than you might want to wade in. I’d wait until about mid June, personally.

Yeah seems like it. This is my first early season here in Ottawa. I came from London ON in august. Is there smaller creeks or areas that are usually lower? I haven’t explored as much as I hoped.

[John Zach]

Well what were you planning on targeting?

[Jameszy]

Well what were you planning on targeting?

Would be sweet to get on to some crappie, but think I got big enough streamers I could target some pike.

[John Zach]

For Crappie you could maybe try Green's Creek. I'm not sure what the wading scene is like there, but I know that you can get crappies in there and it's a tributary of the Ottawa river.

[Jameszy]

For Crappie you could maybe try Green's Creek. I'm not sure what the wading scene is like there, but I know that you can get crappies in there and it's a tributary of the Ottawa river.

Ended up in the britianna area. Could wade a bit. Still fast current. Just needed an excuse to practice the fly rod.

[John Zach]

Glad to hear it. Fly fishing is definitely on my list for new skills this year... Just trying to figure out where to get the best deal on a starter set-up.

[Jameszy]

Glad to hear it. Fly fishing is definitely on my list for new skills this year... Just trying to figure out where to get the best deal on a starter set-up.

Yeah was on my bucket list for a year. My tackle shop back home had a 20% off open house so finally closed in on one. Bought an echo base kit. I think it’s the best combo for the money from the research I’ve done. Get going on one so we can learn together.

[John Zach]

haha I'd be down, man. I'll check out that combo and see if I can make room in my already irresponsible fishing budget for it lol. I think my nervous system could use the calming zen of fly fishing once I graduate in a month. Gonna need a lot of fishing days to relax.

[Jameszy]

haha I'd be down, man. I'll check out that combo and see if I can make room in my already irresponsible fishing budget for it lol. I think my nervous system could use the calming zen of fly fishing once I graduate in a month. Gonna need a lot of fishing days to relax.

Ayyy!! That’s exciting. Congrats. It’s calm, frustrating, rewarding. Crazy thing. Went out wading last night (with a spin rod) for some walleye or pike. The smallies are way too aggressive right now. They’re eating anything and everything. Maybe I’ll avoid that area till the end of June. Hit up Calabogie lake last week and it was similar.

[John Zach]

Yeah the other wading spot i had in mind (which is definitely not safe yet) mostly has smallies. I've been trying to get on walleye recently and had some real good luck today on my spot on the river. Got 7 walleyes in 40ish minutes, one was 24 inches. Pretty good for my second time targeting them so far this year. The spot was super fished out during covid but all of sudden there's no one there anymore... and the fish are bitin! PM me if u wanna get on some walleyes on the Ottawa!