Walleye opener ready!

[OxtongueBasser]

Getting ready for walleye opener in Ottawa! I am planning on shore fishing moving water along the Ottawa in town, anyone have any tips on hot spots along the river? Thoughts on Bate Island or the VIA rail train bridge?

- Nick

[Peron]

Man, you are eager! I was just putting opening dates by zone in my calendar and based on where the first Saturday falls the opening day on the Ontario side of the Ottawa (zone 12) is not until Friday, May 20th.

The best I have is Pike and Walleye in the Rideau and Eastern Ontario (zone 18) which Is Saturday, May 14.


The Bass season on the Ottawa River does not open until June 24 (25th for Zone 15). Seems late this year but i did not dig up last years dates.

I think Catfish and Gar (maybe Carp? ) are the fish i am gearing up for first!

Rod

[otownyaker]

Walleye opener is to far away for me to Think about lol
Crappie cats and gar are my starting point

[Jul0682]

Where does one go crappie fishing and are they any good to eat?

[otownyaker]

The RR up towards kempville is said to hold lots.
Im also told they are very good eating but I don't normally eat out of the RR

[Jul0682]

Yeah I wouldn't eat them as well but always good to know since I've never fished them before

[RJ]

Crappies IMO are the best eating fish that swim locally.

RJ

[smitty55]

Off topic I know but it seems to have wandered...

Yeah I wouldn't eat them as well but always good to know since I've never fished them before

Lol lad, don't be fooled... Those cold water spring Crappie out of the Rideau are fine eating. So are the brown bullhead. The yellow bullhead are never good eating so don't keep them. Their meat is mush.

Where does one go crappie fishing and are they any good to eat?

For Crappie wait until the river settles down and starts to warm up considerably towards 50°. The locks warm up first. Real early season at creek mouths it can be just a dusk bite for a short run, but as waters warm there is a more sustained daytime bite. It can be a fun tour shore fishing from Long Island to Burrits Rapids and beyond. Just follow River Road. Creeks with bridges are popular spots. Marina docks are worth trying too. Even big culverts that go into swamps. We used to make a day of it and even brought portable barbecues along. Of course if you're on the water that opens up other areas like bridge piers and back bays. It's totally about water temperature in regard to their locations and activity levels.

Cheers

[BackwoodsFishing]

Man, you are eager! I was just putting opening dates by zone in my calendar and based on where the first Saturday falls the opening day on the Ontario side of the Ottawa (zone 12) is not until Friday, May 20th.

The best I have is Pike and Walleye in the Rideau and Eastern Ontario (zone 18) which Is Saturday, May 14.

Correct me if I'm wrong but your a week late on those opening dates. The 1st of May is a Saturday this year making the opening in zone 12 the 13th and in zone 18th the 7th.

[Yannick Loranger]

May 1st is a Sunday. Opening day is as late as it can be this year in zone 12.
Yannick

[stopper35]

Yup, we can thank Leap Year for the late openings. Darn you February 29th!

[Peron]

Checked my dates and they stand.... Burned by the Leap. Next year May 1 is Monday so not much better...

[Wallyboss]

Crappies IMO are the best eating fish that swim locally.

RJ

Yep I'd rather have a plate full of crappie fillets than walleyes any day.

[Jul0682]

Off topic I know but it seems to have wandered...

Yeah I wouldn't eat them as well but always good to know since I've never fished them before

Lol lad, don't be fooled... Those cold water spring Crappie out of the Rideau are fine eating. So are the brown bullhead. The yellow bullhead are never good eating so don't keep them. Their meat is mush.

Where does one go crappie fishing and are they any good to eat?

For Crappie wait until the river settles down and starts to warm up considerably towards 50°. The locks warm up first. Real early season at creek mouths it can be just a dusk bite for a short run, but as waters warm there is a more sustained daytime bite. It can be a fun tour shore fishing from Long Island to Burrits Rapids and beyond. Just follow River Road. Creeks with bridges are popular spots. Marina docks are worth trying too. Even big culverts that go into swamps. We used to make a day of it and even brought portable barbecues along. Of course if you're on the water that opens up other areas like bridge piers and back bays. It's totally about water temperature in regard to their locations and activity levels.

Wow awesome to know and thanks might sound stupid but what does crappie look like. When I was young we caught alot of sun fish at the cottage and called them crappie but not sure if I'm right and haven't fished it for 20 years.. lol.. I know I'm a newbie when it comes to that... lol

Cheers[/quote]

[Jul0682]

Crappies IMO are the best eating fish that swim locally.

RJ

Yep I'd rather have a plate full of crappie fillets than walleyes any day.

I'd have to find detailed am awesome recipe for those one day.. heard alot that they are good but never tried them for myself