Camp, Fish & Eat - Suggestions, Help wanted!

[neotek]

Greetings all!

I'm new to the forum here, and have been directed here by some nice folks @ TripAdvisor.

I am trolling the posts, but hope to get some help in the meanwhile!

I am looking to take my father in law (with my wife and mother in law in tow) on a 2-3 night camping fishing trip, for him to relive some memories of when he first immigrated to Canada. He and my mother in law drove straight to Gaspe, and did some shore line fishing there and caught some Mackeral, and enjoyed eating what he caught that night. He is retired now, and is starting to want to relive some old memories. He's not as young as he thinks he is, but with my help, I can help guide him in reliving SOME of those memories to some degree.

Background/Questions:

1) No boating. He's deathly afraid of falling in the water. He's suffered a stroke once, and now walks with a limp and his strong right arm is not that strong ever since. AND...he can't swim.

2) I realize that Mackeral is salt water fish, and fishing within Ontario will be fresh water. I think Gaspe is going to be out of the questions as my wife and mother in law refuse to do a drive more than 5-6hrs one way. (We are driving out from Etobicoke/Toronto). So...what fresh water fish can be caught from shore line fishing that is good to eat? Can these fish be caught by novice/recreational fishers?

3) Bon Echo has been recommended as a great camping/fishing spot. Any tips for this area would be appreciated. I've checked availability for camp sites, and most are booked, so I am not even sure we can get a spot there to camp. Our schedule is flexible though, so it looks promising.

4) Any other places you can recommend for good camping and fishing that is within -6hrs of Toronto for shore line fishing/wharf fishing?

5) Can we eat what we catch? Where can I look to get more info on the legalities on fishing in Ontario, or can someone dumb it down for me?

Thanks for your help all!

 

[Alfiegee]

Hey neotek. This is Ontario, so good fishing places abound . Where to begin?
I've always liked the Saugeen Shores area. There are nice camp grounds around. There are many places with very easy access to the Saugeen River and its various tribs. Although I have never fished Lake Huron there from shore I'm sure that can be done too. So that would give you many options. It's not too far, 2-3 hours from T.O. The fish are eatable and there is a wide variety Bass, Pike, Walleye, Musky, Cats and Panfish. Later in the year Chrome and Salmon will be there.
Everything you could need is nearby in Southampton, Port Elgin or Walkerton.
This is just one area, but because of your fathers limitations, I think it could be good for you (my father is 80 and we still make 1 or 2 trips up to that area each year.)
As for the legalities of fishing in Ontario visit the MNR website or make a trip to your local Canadian Tire Store and ask for a copy of the fishing regs at the customer service desk.

Alfie.

 

[MartyLee]

I would say come up north. I am 2 hours north of Toronto, in the Parry Sound Area. And from shore around here Bass perch and Pike are all easy to get. I am taking off 3 hours north of Myself next week to scout out some lakes north of Sudbury, Most I hope are shore line fishing frendly. Since 3 of us are going and I can only take 1 canoe.

Also Bass and Perch are Great eatting fish, Catfish are also good and can be caught from shore.

Camping wise: there is a good amount of Crown Land around my area, it also depends of what kinda of Auto you have CAR,SUV,TRUCK.

 

[apz245]

Hey, I know some great places to camp, but none that would be ideal for shore fishing, so i'll just skip to the rest of your questions.

2) bass and panfish are fun and easy to catch, as well as great tasting (they're called panfish because they fit on a pan when you fry them), some people are turned off because they are smaller fish and you don't get fillets but they are great fun to catch and tasty. (small though, so they may not remind your father in law of mackerel), bigger fish are generally tougher to catch but not always.

5) You need an ontario fishing license, can get it from canadian tire, here is a link to the regulations
http://www.mnr.gov.on.ca/en/business/LetsFish/Publication/STEL02_163615.html

it can look somewhat daunting at first but your best bet is to get familiar with them if you plan on fishing, basically with a fishing license you have a daily limit on how many fish you can take, and it tells you what species you can take in what areas.

 

[Dugger]

...hmmm the time of year and shorefishing make this a toughie

the panfish are done spawning in the shallows, the shallows are weedier now.... the only thing I can think of for shore fishing success, consistantly and with a fun factor would be carp fishing or maybe catfish. Heading north for bass, pike or pickerel from shore right now to me seems like it could be a big gamble.

Gannon's Narrows/Buckhorn?? Bay of Quinte??

heck, come to my backyard for carp and channels... i can make sandwiches and iced tea

 

[Alfiegee]

...hmmm the time of year and shorefishing make this a toughie

the panfish are done spawning in the shallows, the shallows are weedier now.... the only thing I can think of for shore fishing success, consistantly and with a fun factor would be carp fishing or maybe catfish. Heading north for bass, pike or pickerel from shore right now to me seems like it could be a big gamble.

Gannon's Narrows/Buckhorn?? Bay of Quinte??

heck, come to my backyard for carp and channels... i can make sandwiches and iced tea

Sounds good Dugger. I can fish Carp or Channels anytime. Is that where the Buffalo are too?

Alfie.

 

[Dugger]

yes, buffalos, i caught one in front of my bedroom last year but targeting them is a crap shoot

 

[FishingNoob]

yes, buffalos, i caught one in front of my bedroom last year but targeting them is a crap shoot

How can you sleep, knowing your fishing hole, is just outside the window??? Any neighbors moving?? Cause I wanna buy their house!

 

[Dugger]

.... lol, i tie a line to my big toe at night

 

[MartyLee]

I caught 4 rock bass and 2 small mouth from shore tonight, on Portage Lake off the Beach with my fly rod and a Purple Leach Fly. I walked 20 yards up the one shore.

friend of mine stop in with his GF to swim and with-in 5 min Landed 3 Bass on a soft plastic worm (weedless rigged)

There is still LOTS of places to shore fish if you look

 

[Dugger]

very cool, Liger... true there must be thousands of beaches and banks out there but where would you direct a family for a important reunion of sorts who also want fish? it's a toughie

 

[FishingNoob]

.... lol, i tie a line to my big toe at night

Be careful a big drum doesn't drag you in!