Remember the feeling when you caught your first fish?
Remember the sun hitting your back as you sat on the dock and dangled your line in the water, the red and white bobber floating merrily along, and then… I GOT ONE!
Few things are so magical as that moment. There are few experiences families can share which create a stronger bond than a day fishing, whether from the boat, shore or dock.
But for children to really enjoy fishing, especially fishing in the kawarthas, they’ve got to catch fish.
Pan fish are an excellent quarry when teaching a child to fish. They are common in most areas, are aggressive feeders and scrappy fighters for their size. This translates into more bites and more battles with a competitor of an appropriate size.
And their populations can survive harvesting. Though it’s important to teach your child the value of live release, a sunfish or two lost to rough handling won’t have a serious impact on the fishery. Pan fish can be found in most bodies of water, and they are aggressive feeders despite their size.
Sunfish are colorful and can be found just about anywhere there’s cover. Dropping a line off the end of a dock or along the edges of shoreline weeds will usually reward a novice with a few sunfish. Worms and insects are the best bait, and still fishing with a bobber and sinker is the best technique.
Perch are found in large schools near weedbeds, drop-offs, docks and bridges. In spring they stick largely to waters shallower than 10 feet. During summer, large perch move to deeper water, sometimes between 20 and 30 feet deep. Small minnows are ideal perch bait, though worms, leeches and crayfish work, too. Fish them just off the lake bottom.
Rock bass are voracious and fight like a much larger fish. They strike small spinners and plugs as well as live baits (minnows, worms, crayfish, leeches or small frogs). Rock bass can usually be found near rock piles or gravelly bottoms, as well as under bridges and docks. They range in size from 6 to 8 inches.
Crappie are found in water between 67 and 70 degrees Fahrenheit. They frequent sandy-bottomed coves, sheltered bays, boulders and underwater brush. They strike at spinners and spoons, especially when tipped with live bait, strips of fish or pork rind.
Eager to teach a youngster angling skills? Why not take advantage of the Ontario Family Fishing Weekend in July, usually the first weekend. This licence-free weekend is a good time to introduce children and adults alike to a lifetime of pleasure in the great outdoors.
Happy Fishing in the Kawarthas!
