Public lakes

[Fly Eagles Fly]

Just wondering if anybody knows of any public lakes near Lake Kipawa. Years ago I used to fish Otter lake and Little Otter but not sure if those are free anymore.

I have heard that even some of the really small pike lakes are private now.

Any recommendations?

[T-Bone]

Aren't most othe 800+ lakes in the region "public"? They're not private by any reasonable definition...

[Fly Eagles Fly]

Most of the Lakes in my area ( Jawbone Bay ) are either owned by Zec or Beauchene Club. I am looking for something that I do not have to get a separate permit to fish.

If it exists? 

[crackers42]

Fly Eagles Fly,

First off  you are missing out on numerous spots on Kipawa to fish (unless you have hit them all but I find that hard to believe)

Most of the lakes in your area do not require a permit other than Beauchene.  You have to get up past Booth and/or red pine to get into Zec Territory.

There are some nice smaller lakes between Jawbone and Grindstone (a small walk required) if you are willing to look.

Some lakes right off Maniwaki (that do not require a permit) such as Big George, Little George, Windy etc.

Private is not the right word, Zec is licensed area with "Major" trophies in it and 100's of lakes and beautiful scenery.

In my mind the $20+ a day or annual pass is well worth adventure. 

note:  You have to understand that a bunch of these lakes are stocked and hold 15+ pickerel, 20+ lake trout, and large speckel if you are wiling to look around.

[crackers42]

Otter is not part of ZEC.

and to "T-Bone" point they are not private.

[Fly Eagles Fly]

Thanks for all the info Crackers42
Just want to know what we are allowed to fish in with a basic fishing licence so I don't get in any trouble.

Has anybody fished any of the Otter lake's lately? Any luck?

How about Lake Reveau just off of Pickerel Bay. Anybody try that little lake?

[Fort Wisers]

Hey @Fly Eagles Fly, my brother and I fished reveau a couple of times many years ago (like 20) never got a thing, not a hint of anything.
My grandfather used to call it "Sucker Lake" as he figured there was nothing but suckers in it, I don't know if that's accurate or not though.
We accessed it once by following the creek from Baie Okas (off Baie Pratt) and once by following the old road / trail from the manawaki.

As T-Bone and Crackers already mentioned, there are a lot of lakes that do not require a zec lic.....
Good luck....

[Fly Eagles Fly]

Thanks Fort Wisers, my dad and uncle actually got lost trying to get to Lake Reveau from Baie Okas about 30 years ago. We can all laugh about it now but it wasn't funny back then. They ended up nicknaming that lake "Lost Lake". I fished it about 25 years ago as well. There was a trail leading to it from Pickerel bay but we had the same result...nothing at all

Thought maybe it was just a bad day but it sounds like there is nothing in that lake.

[limacharley]

I urge you to pick up the map of the Kipawa watershed that I spoke about in an earlier thread. It clearly indicates the Zec boundaries. You really have to drive a ways down the Maniwake to reach the Zecs.

[puckster_guy]

 Why not fish the Ottawa River? When I first came up here some 30 years ago I fished the Ottawa a lot. The mouth of the Beauchene and Jocko rivers were full of Walleye and Pike. Sm bass were everywhere. The rapids behind the dams at Temis can be good too. Check it out. Lots of launches too.

[limacharley]

But Joe, once you taste the Kipawa walleye you can't really be expected to eat those pulp mill feeding contaminated fish are you?
I couldn't do it. Upstream of the dam, they are better tasting.

[Fly Eagles Fly]

I Have to agree with Lima on this one.