Lake Kelso

[cptpronin]

Starting a new report thread for Lake Kelso.

Used to overlook this spot because the lineups at the entrance were always long and turned me off of fishing there, but I wanted a bass spot that was closer to home than my usual haunts, so I gave it a try.

The battery had died on my fish finder so I had to use the Force. It would have been nice to get the depths and bottom structure. I know for a fact the middle of the lake is at least 20' because my anchor did not touch bottom...

I was not disappointed. In an afternoon of fishing, 7 bass, 2 decent sized perch and 1 hand-sized crappie all caught off a 2" roundbill mid diving crank. Of the bass caught, most were chunky enough. I heard there are some real nice ones in there.

The only qualms I have with this lake is it is very busy and the 401 is right there... The moutain/escarpment is beautiful to look at on the south shore though... but the noise and inexperienced canoe paddlers make it a bit of an obstacle course... so it is more like a week-day type fishing hole. But the fishing is totally worth it if you got a bass tooth.



Chubby chunkster




Jr. chunkster, second class.

 

[Default_User]

Thanks for the update

 

[ahalls]

I'm from Milton and often take my kayak their during the week for a couple of hours (retired so have the flexibility) - my experience has been much the same- some decent bass action and some panfish too. Much quieter at those times- often i've been alone other than the camp kids canoeing at the beach end of the lake. It's only 10 minutes from home too!

 

[cptpronin]

Alllan, you're a lucky man.

I'll bet without the crowds, the scenery probably looks better. It really is a cool spot, nestled at the base of "the mountain".

The fishing is probably amazing during the week too..

 

[Rivermaniac]

Went there a few weeks ago. I live 15 min to Milton but I got skunked. Well not really just a few panfish here and there but no bass. [emoji17]

 

[GTAbassangler]

Made a trip there a few weeks ago, caught a few bass from like 5pm-9pm in our canoe. Biggest one being ~2lbs. I noticed crankbaits and bright colored worms were doing the trick. Nothing huge, but still alot of fun.
As me and my uncle were leaving, a guy was telling us how he saw a guy catch a pike the size of his arm down by the beach last year. He said there was a few in there, I laughed and thought nothing of it.
My uncle lost 2 lures that day to "big hits"

I think he's full of poop imo

Any words of wisdom?

Matt

 

[Knuguy]

I'm from Milton and often take my kayak their during the week for a couple of hours (retired so have the flexibility) - my experience has been much the same- some decent bass action and some panfish too. Much quieter at those times- often i've been alone other than the camp kids canoeing at the beach end of the lake. It's only 10 minutes from home too!

maybe a few pix of those 'trophy bass' might help with the credibility of this 'story'?! :mrgreen:

 

[cptpronin]

^

???

 

[Bow Man]

maybe a few pix of those 'trophy bass' might help with the credibility of this 'story'?! :mrgreen:

Where in the hell did anyone mention "trophy bass" ??? Re-read all the posts.

Any how thanks for sharing cpt, never thought of going there, may have to give it a go.


cheers.

 

[ahalls]

Y

 

[ahalls]

Yeah Knuguy - who said anything about trophy bass?? LOL - they were just slightly bigger than what we got fishing the Severn River!!!!!

 

[GTAbassangler]

I highly doubt there are any "trophy bass" in kelso, however I bet you there are some 3-4+ pounders lurkin in there somewhere

 

[cptpronin]

I was scratching my head trying to figure out why I had a positive experience last week and then all of a sudden I found my self getting rammed by canoes... yesterday was a a nice day, last week was raining off and on.

On top of that, the weather front drove all the bass to 20+ FOW (took the sonar this time). Jigs and spoons would not wake them up. Wish I had the forsite to rig a rod for dropshotting. Managed a couple wee ones but was not worth the price of admision. There was not an inch of water that didn't have somebody in a rental canoe or paddleboat. So after a couple hours I just gave up.

Did manage to get some stats: Deepest point about 27 at the east end basin. The rest of the lake is about 8' along the north shore and the west end, 10 - 14' at the south shore and centre of the lake. FYI.

Fish it on a rainy day or a Monday. Seriously. Now I understand why Kelso is not such a sought fishing destination. It is impossible to fish with the insane amount of traffic on that tiny lake on a nice weekend. It almost feels like I barely escaped with my life from that place!

 

[Prov87]

Hi everyone, was looking to fish Kelso this upcoming weekend, can anyone update me on how it is? I was planning on shore fishing a bit then rent a canoe. Thanks!

 

[Prov87]

Hi everyone, just wanted to post a quick update, caught a small lmb first cast on a spinner and that was all the for the day, next time I'll try the rent a canoe or something there, anyone have better luck?

 

[CanadianJoeR1]

Getting some lures or bait down to the cold water in the resevoir might get some trout

 

[Ibstacle]

I caught a 1 and 1/2 pound smallmouth bass there last july reeling in a two inch berkley powerbait pearl white minnow on a 1/8 oz jig head. The bass in that reservoir primarily feed on crawfish and juvenile perch, so using a lure to match this forage works best. There is also a small shallow pond in Kelso conservation area that has pumpkinseed sunfish in it.

 

[Matt Rickles]

Totally awesome man !! Nice when it works out and fish get on the line. Better than a day at the offoce for sure !!!
Fish on

 

[Creghead]

What is admission on Kelso?

Is there any fishing to be done at the Hilton Falls Reservoir?

Thanks

 

[BearInTheWoods]

LM Bass and pumpkinseed at minimum. The bass aren't in very hefty numbers though due to too many people walking out with 1/2 pound fish.