As our boat left Victoria Harbour en path to Severn Sound’s Beausoleil Island, I reminisced about fishing journeys on this identical space. We go Methodist Island, near the place late Ontario OUT of DOORS Editor-in-Chief John Kerr and I chased colleges of giant crappie 40 years in the past. Again then, many anglers didn’t know a lot about crappie, however a few of us acknowledged the potential of Severn Sound.
Extremely revered angler and information Tyler Brooks was taking me out for a multispecies journey. Becoming a member of us was my buddy Peter Suitso, who had retired to Port Severn. This was our second try. The primary journey, two weeks earlier was minimize quick as a consequence of dangerously excessive winds.
“We’ve had some nice days with purchasers currently so at present ought to be a possibility to attempt for various species,” Brooks stated.
Severn Sound and multi-species motion
We began off on an underwater hump at about 40 ft deep with 4 good marks displaying on the sonar. Utilizing a drop-shot rig, I hooked a fish that felt like a small bass. After I received it to the floor the thriller fish turned out to be a big white perch. “For those who like consuming yellow perch, then attempt a few of those,” Brooks stated.
Two perch later, I used to be rewarded with a heavier fish, a pleasant walleye. Brook’s prediction for a day of multi-species motion was beginning to unfold. Huge channel cats, pike, and smallmouth had been nonetheless on the agenda. “Severn Sound has an incredible variety of species,” Brooks stated. “Simply final week I had a bunch of purchasers catch 80 fish with a combination of completely different species.”
Our subsequent vacation spot was to the north of Beausoleil, the place quite a few islands and belowwater construction supplied all of the fundamentals for excellent smallmouth habitat. We tried depths of 15 to 20 ft with dropshot rigs. A few minutes later, I launched an honest two-pound smallie. For the subsequent hour-and-a-half, the three of us landed greater than 30 fish, largely within the two- to three-pound vary — excellent smallmouth motion.
We completed the day reluctantly, understanding that we’d solely skilled a small pattern of the potential of Severn Sound.
Severn Sound geography
Severn Sound is a bunch of bays overlaying an space of roughly 130 sq. kilometres in southeastern Georgian Bay on Lake Huron. The basin is a fancy of sheltered to uncovered bays with depths starting from six to 12 ft within the japanese finish to a 120-foot basin off the northern finish of Beausoleil Island the place the Sound meets Georgian Bay, in response to the Severn Sound Environmental Affiliation.
The foremost inhabitants facilities are Midland, Penetanguishene, Waubaushene, Victoria Harbour, and Port Severn. The inhabitants of the space is greater than 100,000 and in peak cottage season will increase to 300,000-plus. Providers and facilities are wonderful with selection in obtainable buying, eating places, and lodging. Though the world is a boater’s paradise and will get very busy throughout the summer time, Anglers can simply discover areas to fish which might be away from site visitors.
The Trent-Severn Waterway
Lock 45 at Port Severn marks the west finish of the Trent-Severn navigation route. Via a sequence of raise locks, boaters can journey from Trenton, north by way of the Kawarthas, west to Lake Simcoe and Lake Couchiching, by way of Sparrow Lake, the Severn River and into Gloucester Pool, exiting at Port Severn. The overall size of the route is 386 km. and consists of 44 locks. Boaters can journey from Lake Ontario to Georgian Bay and Lake Huron because of this engineering marvel and nationwide historic web site. An absolute must-see is the Huge Chute Marine Railway at Lock 44 on the north finish of Gloucester Pool. The one considered one of its sort in North America, it lifts the boat out of the water and over land on a observe system.
Gloucester Pool and Little Lake
It will be an oversight to not embrace Gloucester Pool in any dialogue of the fishing potential of Severn Sound. This waterbody is 13 km lengthy, has greater than 80 km of shoreline and 20 islands.
The pool is the final physique of water on the Trent-Severn earlier than Lock 45 at Port Severn. Little Lake and Gloucester Pool are related by a slender channel. There may be an abundance of deep and shallow construction for various gamefish. The pool is very talked-about with anglers since wind just isn’t usually an issue. The islands, bays, and channels supply shelter from a wide range of climate circumstances.
I used to be lucky sufficient to remain at my pal’s waterentrance dwelling. Suitso moved to Gloucester Pool 4 years in the past and has renovated each a home and cottage on his massive property. The one-bedroom cottage is out there for lease and has confirmed to be common with {couples} who get pleasure from boating and fishing.
Making an attempt for panfish
On our first afternoon, my spouse Lois satisfied Peter and myself to go right down to the top of his dock and take a look at for panfish. The massive, everlasting dock has an island situated inside 50 yards and is a magnet for fish. On the primary solid Lois hooked up with an excellent bluegill which turned out to be the beginning of continuous motion. Apart from bluegill, we caught a lot of aggressive perch and rock bass and a pair respectable smallmouth.
“Simply off the shoreline about 200 yards on the market is a weedline with a big transition from 9 to 12 ft,” Suitso stated. “I typically take my visitors on the market to attempt for walleye and northerns and we normally have some success.”
In Gloucester Pool and Little Lake yow will discover related weedlines and construction virtually eachthe place. The Pool has wonderful largemouth and smallmouth bass and pike fishing. Walleye and muskie are additionally current.
Species highlight
Salmon: Chinook salmon will begin transferring into the outlet off Beausoleil Island as early as June and might be caught there till early September. Most mature Huron salmon common 12 to fifteen kilos. Downriggers with spoons or flasher/fly or meat combos are common.
Lake trout: They’re focused out close to Giants Tomb island in depths of greater than 80 ft. Could to August can present motion for 2 to 4 pounders with the occasional bigger laker.
Pike: Beginning Could 1, the season opener, most anglers focus on the shallow again bays which magnetize pike. Fishing for them might be quick and livid by way of June with most fish avergrowing older three to 5 kilos and 10 kilos plus a risk. On an excellent day, Brooks places his clients onto 50 fish. Casting is the popular technique.
“Pike are all over the place,” stated Aaron Barton, who is aware of when the pike fishing is scorching as proprietor of G-Bay Bait and Sort out. “Northern fishing is good year-round. Within the winter, we inventory seven- to nine-inch suckers and chub for ice fishing. In the spring, casting is common for a median of 32- to 34-inch fish and within the fall, larger pike are lively the place trolling turns into a confirmed technique on weedlines.”
Extra fish to focus on
Bass: Smallmouth and largemouth are essentially the most common goal species in Severn Sound and with good purpose. Inhabitants numbers are wonderful, and the 2 species supply nice motion from the finish of June opener proper by way of to November.
“September to ice up can supply wonderful opportunities for amount and high quality smallmouth with a few fish every day over 4 kilos,” Brooks stated.
Andy Zrenc is a cottage proprietor in Severn Sound and a revered bass angler. On the chief of the York Bassmasters and Ontario Bass Nation, he’s properly versed in what it takes to attach with smallmouth and largemouth within the space. “For early season smallmouth, discover shoals that come up from deep water (40 ft) and use drop-shot rigs in 20 to 30 ft transferring shallower because the day progresses and water warms,” Zrenc steered.
“Largemouth are under-exploited, however their numbers are good. The again channels and bays behind Honey Harbour and Matchedash Bay maintain fish in pencil reeds and lily-pad areas. A Senko rigged wacky model normally produces,” he added.
Perch, Bluegill, and Crappie: The wholesome panfish inhabitants can normally be discovered close to the shoreline in areas of reeds. Docks and fallen timber additionally supply shade and construction. Most perch and bluegill are on the small facet however are nice for teenagers. The very best time for crappie is early spring simply after ice out. The again ends of shallow bays might be productive however be ready to do some exploring. Many anglers discover crappie whereas they are trying to find Could pike. White perch, which have gotten a well-liked goal species, migrate into the Midland space in mid-August and keep till October.
Fly fishing Severn Sound
Alternatives exist for a wide range of flyfishing choices within the space. Matt Martin proprietor of Midland-based Easy River Guiding Co. guides purchasers on Severn Sound. “I begin in Could, concentrating on northerns in two to a few ft of water with the chance of sight fishing utilizing floating fly traces. Hook-ups with 15- to 20- fish are a median day,” he stated.
On the finish of June, Martin switches to smallmouth on shallow rocky flats, sight fishing when potential. Wonderful motion continues proper by way of till early November. Flyfishing for gar, carp, bowfin, and drum are additionally a risk. “These fish are plenty of enjoyable after we goal them in shallow water.”
Greater than fishing
Wye Marsh Wildlife Centre: a Nationwide Wildlife Centre with greater than 3,000 acres and an intensive system of trails which options particular actions all year long.
Sainte Marie among the many Hurons: in Midland, go to the primary European settlement in Ontario and see what life was like within the seventeenth century.
Martyrs’ Shrine: in Midland, the nationwide holy shrine to Canadian Martyrs celebrates the inspiration of discovery in Canada.
Little Lake Park: an excellent spot to go for a stroll or kayak and canoe.
Georgian Spirit Cruises: a wide range of boat cruises based mostly in Midland.
Georgian Bay Islands Nationwide Park: This park consists of 63 islands and is accessible solely by boat. All amenities for guests are on Beausoleil close to Honey Harbour.
Most guests use their very own boat, however water taxi providers can be found from a lot of marinas.
The park has a shuttle service, a 15-minute trip, which requires a reservation and offers members an opportunity to get an summary of the park amenities. The south finish at Cedar Spring has a welcome middle, bike leases, seashores, and bike trails. The north finish, Chimney Bay, has tougher trails. Tenting ranges from primitive websites to cabins. Wonderful fishing is adjoining to the shoreline.
Web site: parks.canada.ca/pn-np/on/georg
Cellphone quantity: 705-526-8907
Boating
This is among the busiest areas for boaters in all of Canada. Navigation routes are properly marked, however until you’re acquainted with the world, don’t stray removed from established routes. There are shoals and rock islands that may be problematic on the japanese facet of Severn Sound. Marine chart of Port Severn to Penetang Harbour CA2022A_4 is beneficial.
Launch ramps
Many boat ramps can be found. Some are public and others are at personal marinas. Situations and parking differ by location. Search ramp data earlier than visiting it for the primary time. Listed here are a couple of common spots to boat a ship in.
Penetanguishene: public boat launch, Most important St.
Victoria Harbour: public boat launch, Albert St. (restricted parking)
Midland: public boat launch, Pete Petersen Park,159 Marina Park Ave.
Port Severn: Severn Marina or Muskey’s Touchdown Resort, 100 Alcove Dr.
Honey Harbour:
• Village Marina, 2762 Honey Harbour Rd.
• Ricks Marina, 2791 Honey Harbour Rd.
Gloucester Pool: public ramp, Kelly’s Touchdown, 2720 Kellys Rd. contact data
Contact data
Midland Tourism, midland.ca
Tourism Simcoe County, expertise.simcoe.ca
Slaunch Donkey Fishing Charters, slaunchdonkey.ca
Tyler Brooks, 705-528-3423
G-Bay Bait and Sort out, Midland, gbayfishing.com
I stayed at Little Lake cottage, Gloucester Pool. The one-bedroom cottage had a full kitchen, three-piece washroom, and barbecue. Parking and docking are included. Contact: [email protected]
Initially printed in Ontario OUT of DOORS Fishing Annual 2024
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