We're heading to Canada this summer, about 14hrs from Pa. We're torn between July and August. From what i've heard the fishing is better in July but the black flies are worse. August has calmer temps and less flies. Is this true? Our main goal is to boat good numbers of smallmouth, walleye and pike. Any advice is appreciated.
I'd personally go with August. I don't care if the fishing was better (which I don't find here), I'd shoot for less flies. I hate those black devils!! I'm about 12 miles from Canada, so I'm guessing its similar anyways
I would also go with August....but not because of bugs. From late July through mid August the fish are in a more predicitable summer feeding pattern. In early July they can be in a transition phase and may be a little harder to locate. Beyond June, my next pick would be the first or second week of August. Good luck and where are you looking at going?
Thanks for the info Dan, i really appreciate it. We're gonna be at either shining tree or Gowganda Lake in Ontario. Hopefully we get on some fish!
I'll give you a little help with your search, if you don't mind. I see both places have very low rates....how much does the price matter? Is the trip all about the fishing? If so, are numbers or size of fish a priority? I ask the last two above questions only because I would be concerned with the pictures on any camps site that shows people with large fish on land and on stringers....also the age of the pictures. This shows that the camp does not have any type of conservation program to protect the female fish or to protect the sustainability of the lake itself. With that said, that brings me to my first question about price. Camps that are more strict with their conservation policies are generally a little more expensive as well. Now, if you are just looking to get away, sip a few and have a good time in the outdoors...disregard everything I have said. :D
I dont mind at all, I really appreciate the help. I think you called it with your last sentence!! Price is definitely a factor, wer're not trying to go completely ghetto but were hoping to spend around $400/person. We were hoping to catch good numbers and some decent fish mixed in, not looking to break any world records here. The pictures on both website are pretty ****ty. I've been looking through a ton of Ontario fishing forums and have found pictures from recent trips that looked very promising with numbers and nice sized fish. We were gonna try to go around 1000 islands but those lakes looked very crowded.
If I knew more about that area, I would point out some other options as well. But, I'm around 18 hours west of there! Like I said, good luck and let me know if you have any questions.....I'm always willing to help someone plan their fishing vacation!
haha i know. Thats the only reason your resort got the boot from our list. Thanks alot though, i appreciate it.
Hell, if I was you I wouldn't drive all the way to my area for a fishing trip either!!! :D How far are you from Quebec? There is some pretty good fishing there as well.
I'm about 190 miles from the ontario border (Niagra falls) and approx 375 miles from the Quebec border. There are so many options (i believe i read 250,000 lakes in Ontario alone) I didnt even try to investigate Quebec
My parents have a cottage on Sharbot Lake which is in "bad" Ontario according to Dan:D It's in SE Ontario, but we don't experience black flies too much. I've been there in April, May, June, July, August, and September. Fishing is good in June, but you have to stay off the spawning beds before season obviously (bass). Weather-wise I prefer August. Mosquito's aren't near as bad (night fishing is...interesting in June), water temps are great, and fishing has been good as well. July has been hit or miss for me.
