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QUOTE (Northhunter @ Jan 21, 2020 - 12:25 pm)
I'd have to dig it out as I forget what it was called, but I had a "book" that was all maps. Fishermans Atlas maybe? Most lakes of any size were marked with what was in them and whether or not they were stocked. That book coupled with stocking lists became our bible. We learned to go by long/lat. rather than lake names for the stockers and to fish lakes just for the hell of it. We found our own little jem by doing just that. The lake was close to a highway, but not visible. There was another lake right next to the highway (visible) and that's the one everyone fished. We were going through old stocking lists and saw that the "hidden" lake at one time was stocked with rainbows, but hadn't been for some time. Nothing else was listed for it. We hiked in and tried it one winter just to see.. it was full of splake. And perch. Ministry had been stocking it but not putting it on the lists. So ya never know...
We hiked into and fished lots of lakes we'd never seen before. It was fun for us. Even if we got skunked or found out it was a dud, it was another off the list. We had high hopes one weekend for one little lake that had streams leading into and out of it. Book said rainbows and specks. We started hiking in before dawn, started drilling holes and found out it was just a mud patch. But when we hiked into one and hit it good based on a whim, a guess and our own experience fishing different lakes (once we laid eyes on it), it was better than Christmas morning.
"Backroads Map Book", available at many gas stations and convenience stores, actually has a lot of valuable fishing info, can be rather outdated, but some gems in there. Back in the early 2000's we would consult them for back lakes in Algonquin Park... tells you average sizes on the lakes too. Have not found an online equivalent.
There is an other ontario government issued guide out there that i will not name, that if you put two and two together, can be extremely valuable for narrowing down sizes of the fish in some lakes, and species you wouldn't expect. But i'm gonna make you all guess.
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QUOTE (mykola @ Jan 21, 2020 - 06:58 pm)
QUOTE (Northhunter @ Jan 21, 2020 - 12:25 pm)
I'd have to dig it out as I forget what it was called, but I had a "book" that was all maps. Fishermans Atlas maybe? Most lakes of any size were marked with what was in them and whether or not they were stocked. That book coupled with stocking lists became our bible. We learned to go by long/lat. rather than lake names for the stockers and to fish lakes just for the hell of it. We found our own little jem by doing just that. The lake was close to a highway, but not visible. There was another lake right next to the highway (visible) and that's the one everyone fished. We were going through old stocking lists and saw that the "hidden" lake at one time was stocked with rainbows, but hadn't been for some time. Nothing else was listed for it. We hiked in and tried it one winter just to see.. it was full of splake. And perch. Ministry had been stocking it but not putting it on the lists. So ya never know...
We hiked into and fished lots of lakes we'd never seen before. It was fun for us. Even if we got skunked or found out it was a dud, it was another off the list. We had high hopes one weekend for one little lake that had streams leading into and out of it. Book said rainbows and specks. We started hiking in before dawn, started drilling holes and found out it was just a mud patch. But when we hiked into one and hit it good based on a whim, a guess and our own experience fishing different lakes (once we laid eyes on it), it was better than Christmas morning.
"Backroads Map Book", available at many gas stations and convenience stores, actually has a lot of valuable fishing info, can be rather outdated, but some gems in there. Back in the early 2000's we would consult them for back lakes in Algonquin Park... tells you average sizes on the lakes too. Have not found an online equivalent.
There is an other ontario government issued guide out there that i will not name, that if you put two and two together, can be extremely valuable for narrowing down sizes of the fish in some lakes, and species you wouldn't expect. But i'm gonna make you all guess.
It wasn't the backroads map book. I was aware of that and never used it. The book I have is big.. like an oversized calendar. The first part was all maps. The back of the book listed lake names, coordinates and whether or not it had been stocked in the past. They published a different one for each region. It cost me like $60 20 years ago, but we scoured it.. and put it to good use.
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On lakes not making it onto the lists...
Not sure why, I just know it happened. The one we found wasn't near any outfitters. We also fished a region that had clusters of "kettle" lakes. These lakes would have the "given" name, and then what the locals called them. Sometimes lakes in close proximity would have interchanging given and alternate names. What everyone called "Lake A" was actually Lake B, but was beside "Lake A". You had to go by the long/lat. on the stocking sheet and then consult the map. Lots didn't have names at all when you looked on the map.. on a stocking sheet it would be a number. Like "lake #57", etc.
The splake lake we found was newly stocked, and did eventually make it onto the lists again. Other lakes in the area got hit hard and personally I think maybe they were just trying to give it a chance. However, someone set up camp on the access trail one summer and probably either couldn't catch the splake or didn't know they were there.. they dumped pike into it and that was pretty well the end of the trout.
Sometimes I think they used to drop a few "just to see". They wouldn't do an assessment of the lake. They'd just drop an extra 500 fingerlings into it while out doing other scheduled stockings and wait and see if they took. With todays budget I doubt this happens anymore?
We fished a lake that was on the lists but we caught a brown out of it one winter. Browns weren't stocked in the region. When we called and enquired we were told another detatchment had excess brood stock and that's how they ended up in the lake. Stuff happens... mistakes happen too. I know of one MNR biologist who was very good with fisheries management, but wasn't very good with a map.
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QUOTE (Northhunter @ Jan 21, 2020 - 08:39 pm)
QUOTE (mykola @ Jan 21, 2020 - 06:58 pm)
QUOTE (Northhunter @ Jan 21, 2020 - 12:25 pm)
I'd have to dig it out as I forget what it was called, but I had a "book" that was all maps. Fishermans Atlas maybe? Most lakes of any size were marked with what was in them and whether or not they were stocked. That book coupled with stocking lists became our bible. We learned to go by long/lat. rather than lake names for the stockers and to fish lakes just for the hell of it. We found our own little jem by doing just that. The lake was close to a highway, but not visible. There was another lake right next to the highway (visible) and that's the one everyone fished. We were going through old stocking lists and saw that the "hidden" lake at one time was stocked with rainbows, but hadn't been for some time. Nothing else was listed for it. We hiked in and tried it one winter just to see.. it was full of splake. And perch. Ministry had been stocking it but not putting it on the lists. So ya never know...
We hiked into and fished lots of lakes we'd never seen before. It was fun for us. Even if we got skunked or found out it was a dud, it was another off the list. We had high hopes one weekend for one little lake that had streams leading into and out of it. Book said rainbows and specks. We started hiking in before dawn, started drilling holes and found out it was just a mud patch. But when we hiked into one and hit it good based on a whim, a guess and our own experience fishing different lakes (once we laid eyes on it), it was better than Christmas morning.
"Backroads Map Book", available at many gas stations and convenience stores, actually has a lot of valuable fishing info, can be rather outdated, but some gems in there. Back in the early 2000's we would consult them for back lakes in Algonquin Park... tells you average sizes on the lakes too. Have not found an online equivalent.
There is an other ontario government issued guide out there that i will not name, that if you put two and two together, can be extremely valuable for narrowing down sizes of the fish in some lakes, and species you wouldn't expect. But i'm gonna make you all guess.
It wasn't the backroads map book. I was aware of that and never used it. The book I have is big.. like an oversized calendar. The first part was all maps. The back of the book listed lake names, coordinates and whether or not it had been stocked in the past. They published a different one for each region. It cost me like $60 20 years ago, but we scoured it.. and put it to good use.
The Kirkland District Game and Fish Maps? That was a beauty of a book before the inerweb and satellite images. We used to call the backroads mapbook the big book of lies. I swear some times the map makers must of just guessed where roads might be before drawing them in. But it was definitely the start of some good adventures.
Fish online has made things infinitely easier than it used to be.
OP, one tip that may be helpful is to pretty well disregard the # of fish stocked in a certain lake. A good lake doesn't need a ton of fish to be productive. I think they actually dump higher #'s in marginal lakes hoping for the best.
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QUOTE (Northhunter @ Jan 21, 2020 - 09:10 pm)
On lakes not making it onto the lists...
Not sure why, I just know it happened. The one we found wasn't near any outfitters. We also fished a region that had clusters of "kettle" lakes. These lakes would have the "given" name, and then what the locals called them. Sometimes lakes in close proximity would have interchanging given and alternate names. What everyone called "Lake A" was actually Lake B, but was beside "Lake A". You had to go by the long/lat. on the stocking sheet and then consult the map. Lots didn't have names at all when you looked on the map.. on a stocking sheet it would be a number. Like "lake #57", etc.
The splake lake we found was newly stocked, and did eventually make it onto the lists again. Other lakes in the area got hit hard and personally I think maybe they were just trying to give it a chance. However, someone set up camp on the access trail one summer and probably either couldn't catch the splake or didn't know they were there.. they dumped pike into it and that was pretty well the end of the trout.
Sometimes I think they used to drop a few "just to see". They wouldn't do an assessment of the lake. They'd just drop an extra 500 fingerlings into it while out doing other scheduled stockings and wait and see if they took. With todays budget I doubt this happens anymore?
We fished a lake that was on the lists but we caught a brown out of it one winter. Browns weren't stocked in the region. When we called and enquired we were told another detatchment had excess brood stock and that's how they ended up in the lake. Stuff happens... mistakes happen too. I know of one MNR biologist who was very good with fisheries management, but wasn't very good with a map.
Yup. Fished a lake a few years ago that had aurora trout dumped in it by accident. It was a brookie lake that was near one of the aurora lakes and I guess the truck took a wrong turn. Also recall fishing a small lake that was stocked with splake - according to the backroads map book. I saw a few locals dragging some giant lakers out of there - like 10-15lbs - out of a tiny little lake? Turns out it was brood stock that had gotten too big for the hatcheries so they dumped them in this little lake.
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QUOTE (FatRap @ Jan 20, 2020 - 10:52 pm)
First time on back lakes we like to troll at first, gives you a chance to check out the lake structure, if you go through any weedbeds you can stop and pitch a few casts into it, mark it for next time. You can cover a lot of the lake in a short time as they are usually smaller lakes. Identify the area you want to fish, look at satelite maps of the area and start your legwork.
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QUOTE (ginochipchip @ Jan 20, 2020 - 10:03 pm)
ya i like to fish a lake 3 times befor i give up on it
I,m thinking 3 times and giving up on a lake is fantastic for me because others give up to easy I fish brook trout and i know i can go ten times to the same lake and catch 1 nice fish. I know of others that will tell me they have tried lakes that i fish and caught nothing and never go back i will play along and tell them ya that lake is garbage and send them on a wild goose chase !!!. I will help others find lakes where to fish and baits i use but i will never put them in my favorite area.
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Couple years ago I found a back lake 6km into bush by atv. When we got there we found 30 plus boats chained to trees. Then we ran into an old timer in a canoe with a little 2 hp. From fish online I had a good idea what was in the lake so I asked how the fishing is. He told me theres no fish in the lake and if I park anything on shore there's a good chance it will be burnt to the ground. So while taking a brake from atving we watched him pick up a cooler out of his canoe that looked pretty heavy. On our way out we passed a makeshift parking lot with one burnt car and another car smashed up. Didnt deter us from trying the lake. Turned out to be the best walleye lake I've ever seen. If you didnt catch 20 walleye in an hour your doing something wrong.
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QUOTE (sparky302 @ Jan 22, 2020 - 06:55 am)
QUOTE (ginochipchip @ Jan 20, 2020 - 10:03 pm)
ya i like to fish a lake 3 times befor i give up on it
I,m thinking 3 times and giving up on a lake is fantastic for me because others give up to easy I fish brook trout and i know i can go ten times to the same lake and catch 1 nice fish. I know of others that will tell me they have tried lakes that i fish and caught nothing and never go back i will play along and tell them ya that lake is garbage and send them on a wild goose chase !!!. I will help others find lakes where to fish and baits i use but i will never put them in my favorite area.
Spec lakes can be hit and miss, miss, miss, miss, miss...….I feel your pain. Perfect example from last year, we fished a lake Saturday with zero hits, nothing, 4 guys all day. Went back 2 days later and caught 8 specs over 5 lbs...two days later! Most finicky fish ever...why do I love them so????
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Well I seemed to be on track so far then. While my adventures haven’t taken me too far yet I’ve at least found some places to start. Thanks for all the help everyone. I hope a few more people can see this and decide to try and find their own spots instead of just asking for them.
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QUOTE (blueyoda @ Jan 22, 2020 - 12:24 pm)
QUOTE (sparky302 @ Jan 22, 2020 - 06:55 am)
QUOTE (ginochipchip @ Jan 20, 2020 - 10:03 pm)
ya i like to fish a lake 3 times befor i give up on it
I,m thinking 3 times and giving up on a lake is fantastic for me because others give up to easy I fish brook trout and i know i can go ten times to the same lake and catch 1 nice fish. I know of others that will tell me they have tried lakes that i fish and caught nothing and never go back i will play along and tell them ya that lake is garbage and send them on a wild goose chase !!!. I will help others find lakes where to fish and baits i use but i will never put them in my favorite area.
Spec lakes can be hit and miss, miss, miss, miss, miss...….I feel your pain. Perfect example from last year, we fished a lake Saturday with zero hits, nothing, 4 guys all day. Went back 2 days later and caught 8 specs over 5 lbs...two days later! Most finicky fish ever...why do I love them so????
O M G !!!! I have never seen a picture or a catch like that man!!! I'm sure you wont talk..... But you mind giving me the names of your buddies
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QUOTE (blueyoda @ Jan 22, 2020 - 01:24 pm)
QUOTE (sparky302 @ Jan 22, 2020 - 06:55 am)
QUOTE (ginochipchip @ Jan 20, 2020 - 10:03 pm)
ya i like to fish a lake 3 times befor i give up on it
I,m thinking 3 times and giving up on a lake is fantastic for me because others give up to easy I fish brook trout and i know i can go ten times to the same lake and catch 1 nice fish. I know of others that will tell me they have tried lakes that i fish and caught nothing and never go back i will play along and tell them ya that lake is garbage and send them on a wild goose chase !!!. I will help others find lakes where to fish and baits i use but i will never put them in my favorite area.
Spec lakes can be hit and miss, miss, miss, miss, miss...….I feel your pain. Perfect example from last year, we fished a lake Saturday with zero hits, nothing, 4 guys all day. Went back 2 days later and caught 8 specs over 5 lbs...two days later! Most finicky fish ever...why do I love them so????
Lol. I recall an article by Gord Ellis that starts: "I've pounded world class brook trout waters for days on end, and would've sworn on Billy Grahams Bible that no trout lived there"
Brookies dont need any reason to get the blues. And they don't give rats behind how much effort you put in to get at them lol.
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QUOTE (Chuck Enwinde @ Jan 25, 2020 - 06:39 am)
QUOTE (blueyoda @ Jan 22, 2020 - 01:24 pm)
QUOTE (sparky302 @ Jan 22, 2020 - 06:55 am)
QUOTE (ginochipchip @ Jan 20, 2020 - 10:03 pm)
ya i like to fish a lake 3 times befor i give up on it
I,m thinking 3 times and giving up on a lake is fantastic for me because others give up to easy I fish brook trout and i know i can go ten times to the same lake and catch 1 nice fish. I know of others that will tell me they have tried lakes that i fish and caught nothing and never go back i will play along and tell them ya that lake is garbage and send them on a wild goose chase !!!. I will help others find lakes where to fish and baits i use but i will never put them in my favorite area.
Spec lakes can be hit and miss, miss, miss, miss, miss...….I feel your pain. Perfect example from last year, we fished a lake Saturday with zero hits, nothing, 4 guys all day. Went back 2 days later and caught 8 specs over 5 lbs...two days later! Most finicky fish ever...why do I love them so????
Lol. I recall an article by Gord Ellis that starts: "I've pounded world class brook trout waters for days on end, and would've sworn on Billy Grahams Bible that no trout lived there"
Brookies dont need any reason to get the blues. And they don't give rats behind how much effort you put in to get at them lol.
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QUOTE (Drew @ Jan 20, 2020 - 05:48 pm)
Trial and error. Maps. Online info. Stocking lists. Hunches. Lack of accessibility. Getting skunked lots. Talk to guys. Try and estimate who's lying to you. More work(travel) can mean better results. Or worse results! Haha. Try places everyone else overlooks. I would say from my experience just going and trying. Don't tell the world where you're off to. Or where you've been. Years of checking around and exploring, and I still don't have 'guaranteed spots'... it is fishing after all, and the adventure is half the fun right!?
Drew nailed it and in need of a poke but its best way .Da list da list .Da list .
Stocking lists are a start and public but finding out a good safe access is another .
Hmm eh ?
I love Miss LUCY . Working on her fishing skill ,LOL
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QUOTE (swannie @ Jan 24, 2020 - 06:18 pm)
QUOTE (blueyoda @ Jan 22, 2020 - 12:24 pm)
QUOTE (sparky302 @ Jan 22, 2020 - 06:55 am)
QUOTE (ginochipchip @ Jan 20, 2020 - 10:03 pm)
ya i like to fish a lake 3 times befor i give up on it
I,m thinking 3 times and giving up on a lake is fantastic for me because others give up to easy I fish brook trout and i know i can go ten times to the same lake and catch 1 nice fish. I know of others that will tell me they have tried lakes that i fish and caught nothing and never go back i will play along and tell them ya that lake is garbage and send them on a wild goose chase !!!. I will help others find lakes where to fish and baits i use but i will never put them in my favorite area.
Spec lakes can be hit and miss, miss, miss, miss, miss...….I feel your pain. Perfect example from last year, we fished a lake Saturday with zero hits, nothing, 4 guys all day. Went back 2 days later and caught 8 specs over 5 lbs...two days later! Most finicky fish ever...why do I love them so????
O M G !!!! I have never seen a picture or a catch like that man!!! I'm sure you wont talk..... But you mind giving me the names of your buddies
LOL...not a chance. Specs get big around here. The big ones usually come from stocked lakes that only get stocked every few years and are VERY far off the beaten path. These fish were caught in a lake that has a 20km ride in, then camped there break trail to another lake, strap on the snow shoes and climb the side of a mountain...and your there....
Fishing Northern Lakes
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How do you find your back lakes?, I don't want your spot, I want my own
