Gone Fishing: Explore the best fishing spots on the Rideau Canal, Ontario
Every day can mean a good catch when you cast your line into Canada’s iconic Rideau Waterway, where fish of all species abound, just waiting to be hooked. While finding the best local fishing spots can be a challenge when you’re in a new area, your next fishing adventure doesn’t have to be all work and no play, especially when you pair a luxury Canadian vacation experience with a fishing getaway.
When boating along the UNESCO World Heritage Site Rideau Canal and Waterway, one of the best vacation options comes from Le Boat. When renting one of Le Boat’s fully-equipped cruisers, you can combine a love of boating, fishing and travel with a luxury experience where you get to be your own Captain and operate on your own schedule.
Contents:
- Le Boat and Fish TV
- What fish can you catch on the Rideau?
- The top fishing spots on the Rideau Canal
- Fishing permits and fishing season on the Rideau
- Where to buy fishing supplies
Le Boat & Fish TV – A match made in fishing heaven!
We’ve teamed up with Fish TV, one of Canada’s leading fishing shows, to spotlight the best fishing spots on Rideau from an angler’s perspective. Their crew joined us onboard, sharing expert tips, favourite spots, and a few good fish stories along the way. Watch their adventure unfold: Fish TV on YouTube.
What fish can you catch on the Rideau Canal?
Here’s a quick guide to the most common species you’ll find along its lakes, rivers, and canals:
- Largemouth Bass – Found in weedy bays and backwaters; active in warmer months.
- Smallmouth Bass – Prefers rocky areas and deeper water; known for its fight.
- Northern Pike – Aggressive predator; common in weedy shorelines and bays.
- Walleye – Popular eating fish; found near structure and deeper channels.
- Muskellunge (Muskie) – Elusive and powerful; inhabit deeper weed edges.
- Crappie – Found in calm, weedy areas; great for early-season fishing.
- Bluegill & Sunfish – Abundant in shallow water; perfect for beginners.
- Yellow Perch – Schooling fish; easy to catch and great for the pan.
- Catfish – Active in slow-moving water, especially at night.
- Carp – Found in muddy, shallow areas; strong fighters on light tackle.
The top fishing spots on the Rideau Canal
Fishing at the Locks
There’s something timeless about casting a line from the edge of a historic lock station. The Rideau Canal’s lock stations are operated by Parks Canada. The stretch from Kingston to Ottawa and is 202 kilometres (125 miles) long, of which about 19 kilometres (12 miles) are man-made (locks and canal cuts). The rest are natural waters and offer great fishing opportunities. Many are known locally as quiet hotspots for perch, bass, pike, and the occasional walleye. Early morning or just before sunset, with the water gently swirling near the gates—it’s not a bad way to spend a few hours.
Big Rideau Lake
Big Rideau Lake lies southwest of Ottawa, is more than 20 miles long, and three miles wide, and is the largest lake in the Rideau Canal Waterway.
Big Rideau Lake is a popular fishing spot for bass, both smallmouth and largemouth, trout, and northern pike, both in the lake itself and in the adjoining Hoggs Bay and Loon Lake, near Newboro. This lake is also a good spot to angle for crappie and sunfish.
Beveridges Lock Station
Just off the Rideau Canal is the Tay Canal and Beveridges Lockstation leading to the Town of Perth. This lock station offer calm and scenic stretch that quietly delivers when it comes to fishing.
Newboro
Further south, Newboro Lock. Located in the heart of the Rideau Lakes, this area is know for excellent Bass and Pike fishing and home to Sterling Lodge for over 120 years. About 70% of the bass caught are largemouth and about 30% are smallmouth. both reach weights of over 7 pounds, while 3, 4, and 5 pound fish are common. The Pike fishing is excellent Newboro Lake is one of the very few lakes in Canada with a fish sanctuary on it and these protected areas and catch & release practice of many visitor and locals alike results in amazingly stable and consistent fishing.
Sterling Lodge has a great restaurant and patio that is open to visitor for lunch and dinner where you can talk fishing tales with other anglers. Reservation can be made by calling: 1-613-272-2435 or visiting https://kilborns.ca/stirling/
Westport
Tucked into the northern tip of Upper Rideau Lake is the village of Westport. This stop offers the perfect blend of fishing, small-town charm and shopping. Cast a line from the docks or venture out on kayak in the sheltered waters at dusk , then stroll into town for a bite, visit to Westport Brewery on Main St, or to chat with a local who probably knows the best lure for the day’s catch. There’s a reason this spot has a loyal following.
Rideau River Provincial Park
On the shores of the Rideau Canal lies Rideau River Provincial Park, open from mid-May to mid-September. A sandy beach, park store, and laundry make this park a popular location for both day-use and overnight camping.
Sheltered bays and warmer waters make the water around the park the perfect place to fish for crappie. Walleye, northern pike and muskellunge are also found in the water here, but largemouth bass is a popular fish species that especially likes the cover the aquatic vegetation found here can provide.
Kars and Manotick
Between Kars and Manotick is another sweet fishing spot near Long Island Marina, known to the locals as ‘Mosquito Point.’ Here you’ll catch everything from pickerel to pike, bass and walleye. Closer to Manotick, you can find a weedy area where the river splits at Long Island. This is another good spot to make a catch, this time for walleye. Rent a kayak from Le Boat to get even closer to your prospective catch, you can kayak right into the weedy area and access some of the best fishing spots.
While you’re in the area, stock up on supplies and get more information about the best spot to drop a line from Manotick Bait Fishing & Hunting. Located only a short bike ride from the Long Island Locks, you can rent a bike from Le Boat and make a two-wheeled excursion part of your exploration of the Manotick area.
Dow’s Lake, Ottawa
Combine an urban and fishing experience in Dow’s Lake, a small, man-made lake roughly one mile from Hog’s Back locks, along the Rideau Canal. This location gives you an opportunity to dock and explore the city of Ottawa, or relax in the shelter of the bay and see what fish you can hook. Perched on the edge of the lake, Dow’s Lake Pavilion is home to several restaurants, while shops and more eateries are only a short walk down Preston Street in Ottawa.
You can drop anchor and cast your line from your boat, just be aware of other boaters, especially small-craft boats like canoes, kayaks, or stand-up paddleboards. Fishing from the shore is a good way to stretch your legs and have some land-time. Parks Canada allows you to tie up any place along the wall of the Rideau Canal. Expect to find sunfish, smallmouth bass, pike, and carp in Dow’s Lake.
Le Boat’s 10-night cruise from Smiths Falls to Ottawa offers plenty of time to explore the best fishing, waterside communities, and history of Canada’s iconic canal and waterway. Whether you’re an amateur or seasoned fisherman, the Rideau Waterway will have the perfect fishing spots for you.
Fishing permits and fishing season on the Rideau
Before you cast your first line, you’ll need a valid Ontario fishing licence. These are easy to sort out online through the Government of Ontario’s website, or you can purchase one in person at many outdoor retailers (participating Canadian Tire stores) , in addition to online and at other authorized locations like tackle shops and Service Ontario locations. For visitors to Canada, a one-day or eight-day licence is often the most cost effective and convenient choice.
Once you’ve got your Outdoors Card and fishing licence sorted, you’re good to go. All Canadian residents between 18 and 65 need a fishing licence, whereas residents under 18 and over 65 do not. All non-residents over the age of 18 require a licence but be sure to check the current regulations before you head out.
Fishing season
Fishing seasons on the Rideau Canal, like in other parts of Ontario, vary by species, but generally, you can expect the start of fishing season for many species around the second Saturday in May. An annual guide to the rules and regulations for recreational fishing in Ontario, open seasons and catch limits can be found by referring to the Ontario Fishing Regulations Summary.
Where to buy fishing supplies
All Le Boat cruises start and end in the town of Smiths Falls. Smiths Falls offers an abundance of fishing supplier and retail stores to help stock up on rods and reels, Many of the gas stations also sell fresh bait.
- Big Rideau Tackle 207 Brockville St #4, Smiths Falls, ON K7A 3Z3
- Canadian Tire 10 Ferrara Drive, ON-15, Smiths Falls, ON K7A 5K4
- Walmart 114 Lombard St, Smiths Falls, ON K7A 5B8
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