Hello from Haliburton

[JoshNZ]

Hi Guys,

New to the forum here! Somewhat new to Ontario, I came over from NZ a few years back for a contract and got tied up with a girl as luck would have it. While we're not living in Canada now, her family has a cottage in Haliburton ON which we have spent a fair bit of time at and will do in the years to come I'm sure.

So we are here for the month of June. We have been on a couple of trips to one of the lakes in the area here (are we allowed names or..?) and have been after pickerel after enjoying one for dinner one night! I was hoping to get some advice on techniques or places to go nearby. I have only landed 2, one on a worm harness the other took a white twister tail with a tiny bit of worm on the hook, with quite aggressive jigging, i've read both are supposed to be successful methods. I've also read about working the shallows 4-10ft on the edge of river mouths, close to shores etc. Trying them all! They certainly aren't jumping into the boat like they are for everyone i read about haha...

Also, when filleting these guys, I can feel the flesh twitching, gives me the heebees a bit haha any reason this is happening? Haven't killed correctly or something? I have filleted thousands of fish back home and never really experienced this.

Hope to talk to you all more soon
Josh

 

[BearInTheWoods]

Hey Josh - people frown upon posting names of lakes - if you wanted to PM me we can discuss some of the lakes in the area. I think you have the strategies and spots down pat, definitely vary the baits a bit though. Also time of day plays into it.

I have a family cottage in Haliburton, been going there all my 32 years. Nicest place on earth.

Based on the fact you're talking about pickerel I narrowed it down to 2 areas where you are, like I said PM me if you ever want to discuss anything further. I'll probably be heading up before month end... before the summer madness starts.

 

[JoshNZ]

Will send you a PM Bear thanks!

 

[Dave Bailey]

We have been on a couple of trips to one of the lakes in the area here (are we allowed names or..?)

Depends. If it's a small backwoods lake, I would suggest keeping it to yourself. But if it's a larger one that already is well known, then there's no harm that I can see. Just don't post specific spots on that lake if they're only accessible by boat, or are shore spots that are difficult to get to. But if you want to post that you caught something below the dam at Fenelon Falls, or the causeway at Bridgenorth, just to give two examples, then you're not giving away anything to anyone. Those spots are so well known and fished that you can't add to the pressure one bit.

 

[Fishing Urban Ontario]

Yeah no names , but there are code names I believe for Trout and salmon fishingg they use like east trib and west trib. I still don't really understand it. But if you really do need information for an area, look it up in history as this rule as only been around for a couple years.

 

[instapump416]

Welcome to OFF!

The only time I've experienced a moving dead fish was a catfish.

The head was already chopped off and it was still squirming.

 

[ChromeAddict]

Welcome to the forums.


There was a video on Youtube of a bowfin moving around after being filleted, is creeped me out a bit, but was cool nonetheless.