Upper Rideau Lake Fishing near Perth, Ontario

• Overview

  This water sits in United Counties of Leeds and Grenville, Ontario. The country here is mixed forest. This is big water, about 14.10 sq km, and in a wind it behaves like a small sea. It ranks high for size among our United Counties of Leeds and Grenville listings. Perth is the closest place, 25 km off. Then Sharbot Lake, 29 km, and Smiths Falls, 35 km. Two sets of local rules meet not far from this water.

• Where to Fish on Upper Rideau Lake

  Our records give 23 m, so you have a figure to work from. Where the bottom changes texture, fish gather; find that line. On a natural lake the weed line and the shelf beyond it do the work. Species logged across United Counties of Leeds and Grenville include pumpkinseed, bluegill, yellow perch, rock bass and northern pike. Species recorded across the county may be limited to a few waters. On Upper Rideau Lake the obvious spot is not always the productive one.

• Seasonal Patterns

  Between January at about -10°C and July at about 20°C, the water has a wide range to work through. Four clear seasons, with a proper winter at one end. Ice fishing carries the winter, and the water opens about mid April. Average temperatures cross freezing around mid April in spring and again near early December in autumn. The strongest runs come at either end of the open season. It holds true on Upper Rideau Lake more years than not.

• Tackle & Baits

  The bank is open to all, according to our records. There is camping recorded roughly 810 m off. For the bass here, soft plastics worked slow along cover and a spinnerbait for searching do most of the work. Where a permit is needed, the nearest town usually sells it. Some stretches are reserved and marked as such on the ground. Westport Pond at 4.8 km is the sensible second choice. Check the position on Upper Rideau Lake before loading the car.