Algonquin Adventures / Whitefish in APP

**Posted by Mike33** 4/03/2023 6:27 pm

Curious if anyone has any experience targeting whitefish in the park or has ever caught any as accidental bycatch. Lake Opeongo is listed as containing both lake whitefish and round whitefish. I have also read that rare species of cisco can be found in isolated populations throughout the park.

Last edited by Mike33 (4/03/2023 6:27 pm)

**Posted by Zemantics** 4/03/2023 9:31 pm

No experience targeting nor incidentally catching them, but I feel like there's a recent reg change regarding the ones in Ope. I think it may be due to find genetic uniqueness, if I'm phrasing that correctly, but not sure.

There was a cool fall canoe trip video of some guys smashing them. If I can dig up the link I'll post it. I wanna say there was something odd in their method, like that were using float rods typically used in Creek fishing but they were on lakes.

**Posted by Mike33** 4/03/2023 11:04 pm

Zemantics wrote:
No experience targeting nor incidentally catching them, but I feel like there's a recent reg change regarding the ones in Ope. I think it may be due to find genetic uniqueness, if I'm phrasing that correctly, but not sure.

There was a cool fall canoe trip video of some guys smashing them. If I can dig up the link I'll post it. I wanna say there was something odd in their method, like that were using float rods typically used in Creek fishing but they were on lakes.

I did a bit more research on whitefish in Lake Opeongo and found this link: https://www.algonquinpark.on.ca/pdf/raven_2022_1.pdf

You are correct, whitefish are now closed all year in Opeongo in an effort to preserve the two distinct forms (small vs. normal) of whitefish found in the lake.

Please post the link to the video of you are able to find it. I have read some old trip reports of people catching them ice out at the base of falls/inflows.

Last edited by Mike33 (4/03/2023 11:04 pm)

**Posted by swedish pimple** 4/04/2023 12:49 pm

smoke lake,, spawn at first ice ,, easiest time to catch them,, if you know where

**Posted by Zemantics** 4/04/2023 1:52 pm

I can't seem to find exactly the one I'm looking for, but these seem reminiscent -- especially the first one.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=A2YIsKMFpeg

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rDRjL3QFb0s

**Posted by Mike33** 4/04/2023 3:30 pm

Zemantics wrote:
I can't seem to find exactly the one I'm looking for, but these seem reminiscent -- especially the first one.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=A2YIsKMFpeg

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rDRjL3QFb0s

Just watched the videos- definitely an unconventional method for lake fishing! I can’t imagine carrying in a centre pin setup on a 12’ rod into the backcountry but they clearly have an effective method figured out.

**Posted by Mike33** 4/04/2023 3:36 pm

swedish pimple wrote:
smoke lake,, spawn at first ice ,, easiest time to catch them,, if you know where

Yes I imagine that would be the best time to target them during the late fall spawn as they would be congregated in shallow water. I would like to try to locate them this spring near the time of the trout opener.

**Posted by swedish pimple** 4/04/2023 3:39 pm

may fly time is great,, and sandy areas or mud flats look for bug hatches to start,,

**Posted by Mike33** 4/04/2023 5:12 pm

swedish pimple wrote:
may fly time is great,, and sandy areas or mud flats look for bug hatches to start,,

Thanks for the tip Doug!

**Posted by Lenny** 5/10/2023 3:40 pm

Can get them at creek mouths this time of year, they follow the sucker run. Have never caught one in APP but would love to. I fish them on some lakes near the park in the winter, they are a finicky challenging fish to catch but get pretty big and are good eating.