Fish-Hawk.Net

Hey folks,

I was thinking of hitting up the Ottawa River west of Ottawa tomorrow (maybe out Arnprior way), but I see that winds are forecasted to be 15-20KM/H with gusts up to 30KM/H.

Might sound like a stupid question, but do you know if that section tends to kick up bad in the wind and/or are there spots you can tuck away in? It wouldn't bother me so much, but my wife and 3 year old are coming along so if it's going to be too much of a pain I think we'll just hit the Rideau or find a smaller lake somewhere. I was hoping to try and find some Pike or Walleye and of course, some Sunfish for the little guy.

Thanks a bunch for any info you can share.

She kicks up pretty good down that end but 15-20 is pretty normal, unless your in a canoe!! There is also a lot of places to tuck into with a smaller boat (I'm assuming you don't have a big boat as 15-20 wouldn't matter)

Thanks for the info impactfishing, much appreciated! I have a fairly big 16 footer so it can handle some bigger stuff if it starts to blow. I just haven't really been on that section of the river so I wasn't sure what to expect. The lakes I'm used to fishing in BC could be iffy if the wind was like that all day, so I'm still trying to adjust a bit and figure things out. Sounds like I'll be fine, so hopefully the fish will cooperate!

If the wind is out of the west/northwest at 20kmh or more, it can get quite nasty......even 15 kmh is pushing it. Check the forecast before you go.

Like others have said, it can get lumpy out there. There are a few bays that you can hide in that will hold fish for sure.

RJ

K, that's good info. Thanks guys!

Hey folks,

Just thought I'd post a quick update. We went out to Arnprior for the morning and had no problems at all. Fishing was slow for me and I only managed a small OOS Smallmouth and one visual on about a 2 foot long Pike. Other than that, not much happening. The water seemed fairly coloured still and visibility was only about 3 feet. We ventured as far west as a nature sanctuary area on the Quebec side (about 5K up river I think) and as far east as the fast water above the railway bridge. I had no idea that the river picked up that much speed down there! I would have loved to have tried fishing right along the current seams, but I wasn't brave enough. The water was really moving and I wasn't going to risk anything.

Nice section of the river though and I'll be back there later in the year for sure.