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Top 10 Fishing Spots in the Ottawa Valley
The Ottawa Valley is one of Ontario's most underrated fishing destinations. With the Ottawa River as its spine and dozens of tributary lakes, ponds, and rivers branching off in every direction, there's enough water here to keep an angler busy for a lifetime. Whether you're working the current seams of the Bonnechere for catfish, drifting the bays of Muskrat Lake for pike, or dropping a line into the deep, cold water of Kamaniskeg, the Valley delivers. And more and more, anglers are discovering that the best way to reach these spots isn't from shore — it's from a fishing kayak.
A kayak puts you exactly where the fish are. You can slide into shallow bays that a motorboat can't touch, hold position over a weed bed with a foot pedal, and move quietly enough that you don't spook anything. At OVAP, we carry a full lineup of purpose-built fishing kayaks — paddle, pedal, and electric motor options — and we know these waters. So we've put together this guide not just as a list of spots, but as a practical resource for planning a kayak fishing trip in the Ottawa Valley.
⚠️ Before you go: All anglers in Ontario require a valid fishing licence. Check open seasons for your target species before heading out, and always practise responsible catch and release. Regulations vary by water body — don't skip this step.
🎣 Arnprior local? Check out Rugged Tackle on Edey Street — a specialty tackle shop focused on premium pike and muskie gear, with an excellent online store that you can browse from home before heading out. They carry top European brands and know predator fishing in this region well.
1. Morris Island Conservation Area — Ottawa River
Morris Island sits near the Chats Dam, where the Ottawa River squeezes through a series of rocky channels before opening back up. The shallow section under the bridge and around the dam generates strong currents that attract bass, perch, sunfish, and small pike in good numbers. Shore access is easy and the scenery is excellent, but get there early — it's popular on weekends.
Morris Island Conservation Area, Fitzroy Harbour
If you're wading or shore fishing in the rocky shallows, the Level Six Creek Boot and Photon Socks will keep your feet dry and gripped on slippery rock.
The current and rocky terrain here call for a manoeuvrable, stable sit-on-top. The Bonafide RVR119 is built specifically for rivers and moving water — its hull handles current well and gives you confidence when positioning over structure.
2. Cherry Point Picnic Area — Madawaska River
Cherry Point near Calabogie is a more technical fishing spot — one for anglers who enjoy reading water. The Madawaska runs with purpose here, especially in spring when snowmelt pushes the current up. Fish the island, work the spillway side channel below the dam, and stay alert to changes in flow. The reward for patience and careful positioning is access to fish that see far less pressure than spots with easier access.
Cherry Point, Calabogie
Moving water fishing rewards a kayak that tracks well and holds its line against current. The Bonafide RVR119 earns its keep again here, or consider the Bonafide SS127 if you want a wider, more stable platform for standing and casting.
3. Lake Madawaska Head Pond
The Head Pond is one of those spots that rewards the angler willing to go looking for it. Muskie, walleye, and smallmouth bass all call it home. The boat launch at the end of Head Pond Road gives you clean access to deeper water, and the lake is calm enough to paddle comfortably in most conditions. It's a particularly strong ice fishing destination in winter, but summer paddlers will find plenty to chase.
Head Pond, Arnprior
Chasing muskie and walleye on a larger water body is where a pedal kayak shines — you can troll slowly, keep your hands on the rod, and cover water efficiently. The Native Slayer Propel MAX 12.5 is a hard-working pedal machine built for exactly this kind of fishing.
4. Acres Road Boat Launch — Ottawa River
Just upstream of the Chenaux Dam, Acres Road opens up a stretch of the Ottawa River that's broken up by bays, islands, and sheltered coves — ideal habitat for bass and pike. A kayak is arguably the perfect craft for this type of water: you can investigate every pocket, drift the edges of weed beds, and tuck into spots that a larger boat simply can't reach. It's a picturesque paddle on top of a productive one.
The maze of bays and islands here suits a nimble, stable kayak with good storage for a full day's kit. The Bonafide EX123 hits a sweet spot between price, stability, and fishability — a great all-rounder for exploring Ottawa River structure.
5. Baie Black — Ottawa River
Accessible via Morris Island Conservation Area, Baie Black is one of the most species-diverse fishing spots in the region. Smallmouth bass, northern pike, muskellunge, yellow perch, and black crappie all share these waters. The variety means you can mix up your approach throughout the day, chasing perch and crappie in the shallows before moving deeper for pike and muskie. Anglers of all skill levels do well here.
Baie Black, Plage-Pontiac
When you're targeting multiple species across different depths and habitats in a single day, versatility wins. The Pelican Catch Mode 110 is an affordable, well-equipped sit-on-top that handles varied conditions and gives you a stable, comfortable platform for a long day on the water.
More Great Ottawa Valley Fishing Spots
6. The Bonnechere River
The Bonnechere is a beloved stretch of water in the Valley — winding, varied, and full of fish. Pickerel, trout, catfish, walleye, sunfish, bass, and pike all inhabit its different reaches, making it a productive destination no matter what you're after. A few spots stand out.
Under the Tramore Bridge
The river's flow and the structural features beneath the bridge create an excellent fish habitat. There's a public boat launch adjacent to the bridge, making kayak access simple.
Mouth of the Bonnechere at Round Lake
Where the Bonnechere meets Round Lake just before the Provincial Park, mixing currents and evening weed beds produce some of the best fishing of the day. Fishing the weed line as the light drops is a reliable evening strategy here.
The Catfish Stretch
The section between the first chute and the Ottawa River has a reputation among locals for its catfish. Deeper, slower-moving water holds them through the summer — a genuinely fun and underrated target species for kayak fishing.
Bonnechere River near Round Lake
The Bonnechere's varied character — river sections, lake entry, weedy bays — rewards a kayak that's comfortable in both moving and flat water. If you want your hands free for casting the slow catfish sections, the Native Slayer Propel MAX 10 gives you a compact pedal option that still fishes brilliantly.
7. Muskrat Lake — Cobden
Muskrat Lake has earned a place on the national radar — named among the top nine ice fishing destinations in Canada for 2024 by FishingBooker. But it's a productive warm-weather destination too. The lake holds some genuinely unusual species: lake sturgeon and longnose gar give it character you won't find everywhere, alongside more familiar targets like northern pike, lake trout, smallmouth bass, and catfish. The local legend of Mussie, the lake's resident creature, is optional reading — but it does make for good dockside conversation.
Muskrat Lake, Cobden
Lake trout favour deep, cold water — you'll want a kayak with good tracking for covering distance and a stable enough platform for jigging vertically. The Bonafide P127 is a premium pedal kayak with excellent open-water performance and a tournament-level feature set.
8. Calabogie Lake
Calabogie Lake is a serious fishery. Walleye, smallmouth and largemouth bass, northern pike, muskie, perch, and even the occasional American eel make this lake one of the most species-rich in the Valley. The Ontario Ministry of Natural Resources regularly stocks walleye fingerlings here, and a slot limit helps keep the population healthy. Grassy Bay on the eastern end is especially productive for pike and largemouth, while bass hold around most of the lake's varied structure throughout the season.
Two public boat launches serve the lake: off Lanark Road by the picnic area, and at Barnet Park off Calabogie Road. For bait and tackle, Joeballas Bait Tackle at 11602 Lanark Road and Calabogie Hardware at the corner of Hwy 508 and 511 are both solid options.
Calabogie Lake, Calabogie
Calabogie's size and the variety of fishing styles it supports make this a great case for a do-it-all fishing kayak. The Bonafide SS127 offers excellent stability for standing and casting, solid storage, and a comfortable hull for a full day on a bigger lake.
9. White Lake
White Lake is a sprawling body of water — nearly 100 km of shoreline broken up by long coves, bays, and islands. It's a largemouth bass stronghold, with healthy pike running on spinnerbaits throughout the season. Walleye are present but inconsistent; treat them as a bonus rather than a target. The best fishing areas include Hayes Bay, Eggshape Bay, Rocky Island, Pickerel Bay, and Three Mile Bay, with Bennett Bay and the waters around Birch and Ross Islands particularly productive for holding fish. Panfish and bullhead round out the catch throughout the lake.
Public boat launches sit at both ends: the north tip at Waba Cottage (paid parking) and the south tip at the White Lake Boat Launch off Wabalac Side Road.
🎣 Picking up bait on the way in? Top of the Mountain Bait & Tackle, located right in White Lake beside the General Store, is your best local stop before hitting the water.
White Lake — North
White Lake — South
White Lake's size rewards a kayak with good tracking and storage for a full day's kit. If you're looking for something uniquely portable — easy to car-top or tuck away between trips — the Pakayak AnglerFish is a modular fishing kayak that breaks into six sections and performs like a full-sized boat on the water.
10. Kamaniskeg Lake — Barry's Bay
Kamaniskeg is a long, deep lake with a lot of variety to offer. Smallmouth and largemouth bass are the bread-and-butter catch, with decent-sized pike in the mix throughout. Walleye and lake trout are also present, favouring the deeper, cooler sections — walleye in particular become more active near the surface in low light, overcast conditions, and wind chop. Bedard Bay and the Madawaska River corridor toward Combermere are the standout spots. Worth noting: parts of the Madawaska flowing through the lake are designated fishing sanctuaries with specific rules, so check current Ontario regulations before you head out.
The Barry's Bay public boat launch provides easy access for kayak anglers looking to explore both the lake and the river.
Kamaniskeg Lake, Barry's Bay
For a deep, multi-species lake like Kamaniskeg, you want a high-performance pedal kayak that lets you cover water and respond quickly when walleye turn on. The Native Titan X Propel is one of the most stable and versatile pedal kayaks we carry — outstanding for a full day on big water.
"The Ottawa Valley has more fishable water than most anglers will ever get to explore. A kayak is the best tool we know for making a dent in it."
— Ottawa Valley Air PaddleEvery one of these spots offers something different — from the fast current of the Bonnechere to the open expanse of Kamaniskeg — and the Valley has barely been scratched when it comes to kayak fishing potential. Whether you're chasing trophy muskie or just enjoying a slow morning drifting for perch, the right fishing kayak changes how you experience these waters.
Find Your Fishing Kayak at OVAP
We carry Bonafide, Native Watercraft, Pelican, Pakayak, and more — and our team can help you match the right kayak to the water you fish. Come see us in Arnprior or browse the full lineup online.
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