Bass Fishing in Ontario

July 22nd, 2007 Posted in Bass Fishing Vacation

There is a wide variety of bass to be found in Ontario which makes it a real treat for anglers. Even people who have little experience with bass fishing can enjoy a satisfying day on any of the creeks, lakes or rivers. The largemouth bass and smallmouth bass are the ones which are most sought after here. The smallmouth bass can be identified by its lower jaw which does not extend beyond its eye, unlike the largemouth bass.

The smallmouth bass is native to the open waters of the Great Lakes and Canada’s glacier Lakes. The thousands of little streams, lakes and creeks are also great locations to go bass fishing in Ontario. Northern Ontario in particular is famous for it smallmouth bass which thrive in the clear waters of the rocky lakes, with sparse vegetation. In general, the smallmouth bass is around ten to twenty inches in length. The largest smallmouth bass caught in Ontario was almost eleven pounds in weight.

Good places to go fishing for largemouth bass in Ontario are the warmer bodies of water with a shallow cover of either rocky outcrops or woody overhangs or even weeds. The larger lakes of Canada have varied habitat and as a result, anglers can easily find an overlap of smallmouth and largemouth bass fishing in Ontario. They are especially easy to locate in shallow waters during the spring season, while they go into deeper terrains during the summer.

Techniques for bass fishing in Ontario

Fishing Charters on Lake Ontario offer memorable trips and it is not uncommon to hear of record trophy size catch of the largemouth bass. Many charters offer a package that included a boat, guide and lodging – all elements for the perfect bass fishing vacation in high season. Most of the lakes in Ontario have several well equipped fishing charter companies. Many outfitters offer American plan accommodation and housekeeping too.

Popular types of bait used for smallmouth bass fishing in Ontario include minnow, crayfish and leeches. You should drop the bait again straight after the first catch, as the smallmouth bass moves in large schools.

Jigs, rattletraps and cranks can also be very useful on a fishing trip. Light to medium action seven foot spinning rods work well in open waters. They are hard fighters so make sure your are prepared for a battle with a big ‘un. Flip and pitch techniques can be used shallow waters with stumps and weeds. These work well with largemouth bass. Jerk baits and plastic worms are successful in top water action. Diving crank baits lure both species in deeper waters.