Fishing
Fishing
Fisher's Welcome!
Nearby Bait
1. Stone's Bait & Tackle (Hwy. 28)
2.Lakeview Marina
Major Fish Species
Large and Smallmouth Bass, Northern Pike, Lake Trout and Pan Fish.
Fish Sanctuary
Chandos Lake is closed to fishing from December 1 to the Friday before the 3rd Saturday of May.
Regulations
Click here for
Ontario fishing regulations
.
Public Boat Launch
See our Chandos Lake Downloadable Map. Instead turning on Highway 504, go past and Highway 620 and follow it for 15km to the lake just past the public beach. These is a sand based launch on the west side of the Deer River where it runs into Chandos. The launch backs into a slow current. Suitable for small boats. No fee. Washrooms, parking, picnic tables and garbage facilities are available at this site.
Shore Fishing Spot
Located at the public boat launch. These are two large culverts through which the Deer River flows. There is a foot path along the river or you can fish on the west side of the culvert at the lakeshore. Try for largemouth bass or pike (in the spring or fall).
Located at the public boat launch. These are two large culverts through which the Deer River flows. There is a foot path along the river or you can fish on the west side of the culvert at the lakeshore. Try for largemouth bass or pike (in the spring or fall).
Fishing Tournaments Arranged
Fishing Tournaments Arranged
Complete Outfitting Available
Complete Outfitting Available
Dock Space and Boat Launching
Dock Space and Boat Launching
Main Types of Fish on Chandos Lake
Northern Pike
Description and Habits
A cool water fish that has green sides with light oval spots. Unlike its relative the muskie, northern pike have scales that cover the entire cheek. There are 10 or less black pores on the underside of the lower jaw. The caudal (tail) fin is round. Pike spawn in early spring after iceout in shallow weedy/marshy areas. It is primarily a fish eater.
A cool water fish that has green sides with light oval spots. Unlike its relative the muskie, northern pike have scales that cover the entire cheek. There are 10 or less black pores on the underside of the lower jaw. The caudal (tail) fin is round. Pike spawn in early spring after iceout in shallow weedy/marshy areas. It is primarily a fish eater.
Summer Pike in Deeper Lakes
In deeper lakes search out reefs, underwater humps, rock piles or points that attract other game fish that pike prey on eg. walleye. Larger deep diving crankbaits work well in these locations.
Fall Northern Pike
Once the weeds begin to die back in shallow bays, keep your eyes peeled for any green clumps. These are pike magnets. Work around the edges and over the top. If the bed is of any size work on holes or inside turns and pockets with jigs.
Fall Northern Pike
Once the weeds begin to die back in shallow bays, keep your eyes peeled for any green clumps. These are pike magnets. Work around the edges and over the top. If the bed is of any size work on holes or inside turns and pockets with jigs.
Northern Pike Tackle
Your lures (spinnerbait, jigs, spoons, crankbaits) should be on the larger side. Use either the new braided lines or attach a steel leader to your monofilament line (20Ib. test). A good bait casting reel mounted on a medium heavy to heavy rod is a must.
Your lures (spinnerbait, jigs, spoons, crankbaits) should be on the larger side. Use either the new braided lines or attach a steel leader to your monofilament line (20Ib. test). A good bait casting reel mounted on a medium heavy to heavy rod is a must.
Smallmouth Bass
Description and Habits
A cool water member of the sunfish family. This bass is brownish green with dark vertical bars on its sides. Their colours can change somewhat based on habitat features. Unlike the largemouth, the upper jaw does not extend past its eye. Smallmouth bass eat primarily crayfish, baitfish, and insects.
A cool water member of the sunfish family. This bass is brownish green with dark vertical bars on its sides. Their colours can change somewhat based on habitat features. Unlike the largemouth, the upper jaw does not extend past its eye. Smallmouth bass eat primarily crayfish, baitfish, and insects.
Smallmouth Bass Season Movements
The post spawn period (after the males have finished guarding the nests) will see these fish begin actively feeding. The trick however, is to locate them as they tend to roam from shallow shore flats to deep outside weed edges to rocky structures. The general movements is towards deeper water as the summer progresses. The exceptions may be in the early mornings or evenings when they can be found shallow feeding on crayfish or baitfish. In the early fall as the surface water cools, the movement is towards shallower water and the feed will be heavy before the fall water turnover.
Immediately after the turnover (when the water temperature is fairly uniform throughout), they can be anywhere. Moving further into the fall, the shallow and surface water cools even more. The general movement is now towards deeper water where they will winter.
Lake Trout
Description and Habits
A cold water member of the char family. While colour scheme can vary, the fish usually has a dark grey colour with dappled white spots on a dark background. The tail is deeply forked. These fish grow slowly and do not reach maturity until they reach 6-8 years of age. They spawn over rocky shoals from October to November. The diet of an adult fish consists mostly of smelt, alewife, ciscoe or phytoplankton.
A cold water member of the char family. While colour scheme can vary, the fish usually has a dark grey colour with dappled white spots on a dark background. The tail is deeply forked. These fish grow slowly and do not reach maturity until they reach 6-8 years of age. They spawn over rocky shoals from October to November. The diet of an adult fish consists mostly of smelt, alewife, ciscoe or phytoplankton.
Early Season Locations
Other than the ice-fishing season, springtime offers your best chance for a laker.
After ice-out look for areas that have some current (a narrows, dam, or rivermouth) as these areas warm faster than others. If there is a sandy beach, try the area near the first drop off.
Your shallow fishing site should be adjacent to deep water. Try trolling (or casting) minnow imitating crankbaits, spinners, spoons or live minnows.
Largemouth Bass
Description and Habits
A warm water member of the sunfish family. These bass have a dark lateral band that extends from the head to the tail. The upper jaw extend beyond the eyes (unlike a smallmouth bass). It has a preferred diet of frogs, baitfish, crayfish and leeches. Largemouth bass are found in shallow to mid depth lakes that have lots of weeds logs, stumps and other forms of cover. They spawn in early June.
Summertime Largemouth Locations
In a shallow heavily weeded lake, largemouth bass will stay in shallow water even if the water temperature rises. Cover (such as lilypads or weed mats) provides shade and lower water temperatures close to the fish's comfort zone. In deeper lakes with moderate to sparse weed growth, largemouth bass tend to head towards deeper water closer to their temperature comfort zone. They will gravitate to some type of cover (weed clumps, beds, submerged logs, etc.) that can act as an ambush zone.
In a shallow heavily weeded lake, largemouth bass will stay in shallow water even if the water temperature rises. Cover (such as lilypads or weed mats) provides shade and lower water temperatures close to the fish's comfort zone. In deeper lakes with moderate to sparse weed growth, largemouth bass tend to head towards deeper water closer to their temperature comfort zone. They will gravitate to some type of cover (weed clumps, beds, submerged logs, etc.) that can act as an ambush zone.
Largemouth Bass in the Fall
As the water cools, largemouth start a slow migration to deeper water which has a more stable temperature. These fish tend to bunch up more so than other times of the year. Points and deep weedline edges are typical spots. But don't abandon the shallows altogether. Between Labour Day and Thanksgiving, a couple of bright sunny days will warm up the shallows quickly and activate those critters that bass like to much on.
Largemouth Bass in Deep Weeds
Keep a sharp lookout for dense clumps of weeds on the outside (deeper) edges of shallow water areas such as bays. Try a Texas rigged worm or flipping jig on the edges. If that doesn't produce move into the bed and dunk the holes.
Bass Metabolism
Warm water increases the body metabolism and the fish feeds more aggressively and often. Use a faster retrieve. Cool water slows its metabolism. our presentation should do likewise.
As the water cools, largemouth start a slow migration to deeper water which has a more stable temperature. These fish tend to bunch up more so than other times of the year. Points and deep weedline edges are typical spots. But don't abandon the shallows altogether. Between Labour Day and Thanksgiving, a couple of bright sunny days will warm up the shallows quickly and activate those critters that bass like to much on.
Largemouth Bass in Deep Weeds
Keep a sharp lookout for dense clumps of weeds on the outside (deeper) edges of shallow water areas such as bays. Try a Texas rigged worm or flipping jig on the edges. If that doesn't produce move into the bed and dunk the holes.
Bass Metabolism
Warm water increases the body metabolism and the fish feeds more aggressively and often. Use a faster retrieve. Cool water slows its metabolism. our presentation should do likewise.
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3364 County Road 504, Apsley, Ontario, Canada
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