Take your kayak close to the fish SUMMER FISHING NEARBY

BY TIM ALLARD

Kayak fishing is one of angling’s fastest growing pleasures. Kayaks are relatively cheap, easy to operate when the water is calm, and they let you into confined or shallow waters that are off limits to larger boats. For kayak fishing, all you need is a boat, a paddle, regular safety equipment, a rod and some tackle – simple. And there are plenty of spots worth exploring, rod on board, with a kayak in the Ottawa area. Here are a few:

OTTAWA RIVER

This long stretch of river has plenty of put-in spots near the cities and towns bordering its shores. Ottawa-area residents should consider the Shirleys Bay launch off Rifle Road in the west end, or Petrie Island off Trim Road east of town. Both are close to several islands and bays.

RIDEAU RIVER

The Rideau is a popular waterway for anglers and recreational boaters alike. Stretching south from Ottawa, the river and the Rideau Lakes system eventually run to Kingston. Here’s a link with access points and paddling information along the whole route: www. rideau-info.com/canal.

THOUSAND ISLANDS

This St. Lawrence River area is a paddler’s paradise. Filled with bays, shoals and islands (estimates of the actual number run from about 1,150 to 1,800), there are plenty of spots to tuck away from the main channel’s boat traffic and enjoy the sights while wetting a line. You’ll find many access points around Gananoque and along the Thousand Islands Parkway. For details go to www.1000islandsgananoque.ca.

MISSISSIPPI RIVER

From the border of Bon Echo Provincial Park to the Ottawa River near Arnprior, the Mississippi River is a great paddling route full of fishing opportunities. Connecting a slew of lakes along its course, there’s no shortage of boat launches and put-in spots. For information on the river near its outflow, go to Ottawa Valley Canoe and Kayak: www.ovck.com.

FRONTENAC PROVINCIAL PARK

If you’re hoping to combine fishing with camping, Frontenac Provincial Park is a great place to consider. Because of restrictions on powerboats on its interior lakes, the fishing can be fantastic. Visit www.ontarioparks.com for information on the park. Frontenac Outfitters (www.frontenac-outfitters.com) rents and sells canoe, SUP and kayaks. It’s just a short drive from the park entrance.

GATINEAU PARK

Close to home, Gatineau Park offers lots of paddling areas with Meech Lake, Lac Phillippe, and Lac la Pêche being the most popular spots. You’ll find more information at ncc-ccn.gc.ca

LAKE “X” AND RIVER “Y”

This last category represents those small, secluded waters that all paddling anglers keep to themselves. It’s always fun to explore and find new secret spots to add to your own list. Check out Backroad Mapbooks www.backroadmapbooks.com

for Ontario and Quebec.