Submitted photo Ed Puddephatt, owner of Paddletale’s in Winchester, with a hefty bass caught during the Renegade Bass Classic on Seeley’s Bay.
Bass might be the last fishing season to open each year but with a huge following it remains one of the most popular sport fish in Canada.
The bass season in the Ottawa Valley – Fisheries Management Zone (FMZ) 15 – gets underway this Saturday, the fourth Saturday in June, two weeks later than most other fish species. From a conservation perspective, the later season allows smallmouth and largemouth bass time to spawn and for young bass to mature. Other fish species like walleye and trout play no role in guarding of the eggs so their seasons always open earlier in the spring. Anyone who fishes the Ottawa River, or Fisheries Management Zone (FMZ) 12 as its known, may start bass fishing this Friday. If anyone’s looking for me this weekend, I’ll be in Cobden hoping to hook a biggie!
Take note that Canada’s premiere bass fishing series; Renegade Bass, also launches its 2017 season this weekend with the first qualifier event on Newboro Lake. For info on Renegade Bass visit http://www.renegadebass.com/
Ontario Family Fishing Week
The goal of Ontario Family Fishing week is introducing new anglers to the special activity we call sport-fishing. Between July 1 and 9 anglers are encouraged to plan a fishing day at your nearest stream, pond, river or lake and be sure to bring along ‘the fam’! As a way of reminding folks the recreational value of our freshwater fishery, the Ontario government waves the fishing licence requirement for this period each summer. Anglers without a licence must still abide by the limits set out in the Conservation permit and all other regulations remain enforced; including size limits and protected sanctuaries. Watch for kid’s events planned for Arnprior and Douglas. For more information: http://www.ontariofamilyfishing.com/events/
Deer tag draw
Valley deer enthusiasts are watching the calendar closely as the antlerless deer tag validation draw closes on June 30. There are three application methods available although your chances at a tag remain the same, whether you apply by telephone, Internet or at a Service Ontario outlet. To apply over the phone dial 1-800-288-1155, but remember that if you have already purchased your regular deer licence, you’ll not be permitted to enter the draw this way, and must apply either online or visit a Service Ontario outlet. For more information: http://www.ontario.ca/travel-and-recreation/apply-big-game-draw
Big money event
The Lefaivre Lions Club is holding its annual bass tournament on the Ottawa River this Saturday, June 24 from 7 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. With thousands in cash and prizes up for grabs, the town’s Open Bass Tournament has garnered the attention of anglers from across the region and beyond. The Lions Club hosted its first Annual Open Bass Tournament back in 1993, and here we are more than two decades later and the event is bigger than ever. Registration is $200 per boat (teams of two) plus $20 for the big fish prize. For more information: http://www.en.lefaivrelions.com/General-information.page
Big bears are us!
A big congratulation goes out to three members of the Fish, Hunt & Ride Team on their recent Ontario black bear hunts! While stalking his quarry, Brian Houle took an impressive 300 pound bruin at a scant 15 yards. While filming an episode of Canada Hunts in Alberta, Amanda Lynn Mayhew harvested a once-in-a-lifetime black bear from 17 yards. The entire hunt will be televised as part of the 2018 season of Canada Hunts on WildTV. Another FHR team member “Uncle Ted” Nugent also took a trophy black bear last week during his annual Ontario bear hunt at Rick Dickson’s camp near Wawa, Ont. Congrats to Amanda Lynn, Brian and Ted on their successful spring bear hunts. For more info on Amanda Lynn’s new TV show: https://www.facebook.com/Canadahunts/?fref=mentions
Check out more on Uncle Ted’s at TedNugent.com and on his popular Facebook page: https://www.facebook.com/pg/tednugent/posts/
You can read Brian Houle’s Spring column in the latest issue of Fish, Hunt & Ride: https://view.joomag.com/fish-hunt-ride-spring-2017/0510083001496149656?short
Ontario’s spring bear hunt was reinstated last year on a trial basis, after an almost 20-year cancellation.