Three Tips for Fishing Spider Lake in the Massasauga Provincial Park
My (now ex) girlfriend Lauren and I went fishing on Spider Lake in the Massasauga Provincial Park in mid-June. We stayed on campsite #15. It was a solid but unspectacular spot with a picnic table and a fire pit and a grate for cooking. I'd give it about a 6 out of 10. We targeted pike, hoping to get a few for the frying pan. Though I didn't bring my portable electronics with me, I can offer a few tips for first-timers based on my observations of the lake.
Tip #1: Work the rock outcrop for big fish
Though we didn't get into any decent sized pike, like this one, there's a rock outcrop south-west of campsite #15 that just screams "big fish here!" The shoal is surrounded by deeper water and by the heat of summer it'll be neighboured by weeds too. Patiently work the area and you'll be rewarded with big pike and, when the season opens, big smallmouth too.
Tip #2: Hungry? Fish shallow bays
The little guys are shallow. Later in the season, they'll be sitting in the weeds. On our trip, in mid-June, there weren't too many green weeds yet, so the pike were holding tight to submerged trees, stumps and logs. That's where Lauren caught her two fish using a LiveTarget Yellow Perch crankbait. If you're covering water, you might also try throwing some jerkbaits. Lauren's second fish hit right at the canoe after the lure had been sitting still for a few seconds just under the surface!
Tip #3: Be creative and throw topwaters!
Nothing beats a topwater strike. So when you see fish busting the surface, don't be afraid to throw one - even if you're in deep water. These lures are particularly effective on a still evening when the fish will be able to detect surface commotion from a long ways away. If they're active, they won't be afraid to swim some distance to hit your bait. In low-light, low-wind conditions, I prefer using black poppers.
And remember, knowledge is important, but it's no substitute for experience!
Though we didn't get into any decent sized pike, like this one, there's a rock outcrop south-west of campsite #15 that just screams "big fish here!" The shoal is surrounded by deeper water and by the heat of summer it'll be neighboured by weeds too. Patiently work the area and you'll be rewarded with big pike and, when the season opens, big smallmouth too.
The little guys are shallow. Later in the season, they'll be sitting in the weeds. On our trip, in mid-June, there weren't too many green weeds yet, so the pike were holding tight to submerged trees, stumps and logs. That's where Lauren caught her two fish using a LiveTarget Yellow Perch crankbait. If you're covering water, you might also try throwing some jerkbaits. Lauren's second fish hit right at the canoe after the lure had been sitting still for a few seconds just under the surface!
Nothing beats a topwater strike. So when you see fish busting the surface, don't be afraid to throw one - even if you're in deep water. These lures are particularly effective on a still evening when the fish will be able to detect surface commotion from a long ways away. If they're active, they won't be afraid to swim some distance to hit your bait. In low-light, low-wind conditions, I prefer using black poppers.
Greg Cholkan is a lawyer, fisherman and Hemingway impersonator. He works in Huntsville and Haliburton with Barriston LLP and his practice focuses on real estate, wills and estates, and business matters. Follow him on Twitter: @gregcholkan
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