Top Bass Fishing Tips in Canada
Any angler would be able to tell you that one of the most popular sports across Canada is Bass fishing, and it is for a number of reasons. For one, they are very common throughout the entire country, and even through every season, there is generally never really a bad time to go bass fishing. Two, they can get extremely big, ranging anywhere from 0.45 - 9 kg (1 - 20 lbs) in size, and with their aggressive tendencies, they can be a very exciting fish to catch. Bass fishing can also be very easy to learn for beginners, but it’s all about knowing exactly where to start. That’s why we’ve put together some of our BRMB top Bass Fishing Tips in Canada.
About the Species
The largemouth bass gets its name from its upper jaw extending all the way to behind their eye, creating their ‘largemouth,’ while the smallmouth bass had a smaller jaw that reaches just before the jawline. While there are many bass species found within Canada, the large and smallmouth bass are two of the most commonly fished and sought after in freshwaters across the country.
Where and When to Go Bass Fishing in Canada
While both small and largemouth bass are abundant throughout many lakes, rivers, and creeks throughout Canada, and in various seasons, there are certainly specific places and times you’ll have the best luck.
The largemouth bass are most active from early summer to early autumn, and prefer calm, clear waters where they can search for fill of smaller fish, frogs and crayfish. They can also be found in areas with lots of stumps, timber and brush, where they can take cover from predators among these submerged plants.
Smallmouth bass are most active from late spring to late autumn, and are typically located in more open water, or along rocky banks or reefs.
Canada boasts some of the most abundant bass inhabited waters from coast to coast, and here are a couple of places where you’ll have the best luck at finding them:
1. Lake Ontario
Throughout this huge great lake, in Eastern Ontario, there are many parts small and largemouth bass can be found. In Lake Ontario, the odd smallmouth bass reaches 1.8 kg (4 lbs) in size, and put up a strong fight compared to many other freshwater fish.
2. Rondeau Bay
Tucked between Rondeau Provincial Park, and the mainland, Rondeau Bay in Southern Ontario, is a great destination for angling action of all kinds, especially large and smallmouth bass. The sheltered bay gives the perfect environment for a largemouth bass to enjoy, and they are typically more active during the warmer summer months, as the water temperatures heat up.
3. Lake Simcoe
Covering over 72,500 hectares (179,075 ac) Lake Simcoe is one of the largest lakes in the Trent Severn Waterway System, and incredibly productive. The shoals and island areas around the lake make great smallmouth bass fishing opportunities and the shallow, heavy vegetated Cook’s Bay flourishes with largemouth bass.
4. Bay of Quinte
While often considered the walleye capital of the world, the Bay of Quinte can often be overlooked for its incredible bass fishing opportunities. The bays of Muscote, Mohawk, and Hay all feature great shallow structure, combined with ample weed cover, making it very heavily populated with large and smallmouth bass. For more specific depth charts and entrance points, ourOntario Fishing Mapbooks will come in handy on this vast water channel.
5. Vaseaux Lake
Vaseaux Lake could be argued to be one of the best largemouth bass fishing lakes in all ofSoutheastern BC. Here bass more than 5 kg (10 lbs) can be found with most averaging around 2.5 kg (5-6 lb). The popular spot for bass fishing on Vaseaux Lake is on the south end where the bass love to hide out in the rocky shoals and hideaways.
6. Elk & Beaver Lakes
Anglers will enjoy the ample opportunity to catch large and smallmouth bass on Elk & Beaver Lakes. The most successful action comes in the mornings and evenings, and many bass anglers have reported tons of victorious catches casting from the pier of Elk Lake itself. For information on depth charts and specific lures and tactics to use, ourBC Fishing Mapbooks offer the most detail.
Bass Fishing Tips
Now that you know what you’re looking for and where to find them, you’re probably curious what are the best methods to catch these suckers! The truth is, there is no one great way to go bass fishing, in fact, there are plenty!
While it always depends where, when and what kind of bass you’re fishing, there are a few baits and lures that will assist you in catching a large size and quantity of bass.
Crankbaits
A cast-and-retrieve type of lure, crankbaits are very effective whether you’re fishing from the back of a boat or the bank of a shoreline. Crankbaits are most successfully used when the angler attempts to make the bait move unevenly across the water, for example twitching it, or bouncing it along rocks as you reel it in. If you’re just starting out at bass fishing, try shallow diving crankbait – these will attract the most aggressive bass in the area.
Jerkbait
A type of crankbait, Jerkbaits are arguably one of the easiest techniques for bass fishing, and best for beginning bass fishers. The trickiest part to using jerkbait is deciding which shape, size and depth to get, but they all will do the trick in attracting that sought after bass. As you jerk the top of the rod, this gives off the illusion that the jerkbait is wounded or injured, attracting bass that love an easy meal. For this reason, they’re best used in clear waters, where the bass will be able to see the lure the most.
Topwater
For a more exciting catch, topwater baits are certainly the way to go. They may not catch a large number of fish, but they do often attract the biggest bass in the area. These work best when there is a light ripple or small chop in the water or else the fish will be easily spooked. Topwater lures like poppers work best on the main lake points, around standing timber and banks, while baits like frogs are great for deep covered waters where those largemouth bass are most likely hiding.
Before heading out to fish this fall, be sure to check the fishing regulations in your area and the specific licences you require to fish there.
Whether you’re a beginner or expert angler, you’re sure to have a blast bass fishing throughout the year in Canada.
Do you have some expert bass fishing tips? Share your tricks, tips and tactics with us and the #BRMBLIFE community by liking us on facebook and following us on Instagram. Here you’ll find more information on other great angling opportunities and can even catch a chance to win great prizes.