timiskaming dam Ottawa river Fish sanctuary dates

Hey Guys,

Looking to head up to fish the Ottawa river. I typically fish around the Timiskaming dam, however i know it is a fish sanctuary so the Opening date is June 15th instead of the 3rd sat in May.

My question is, where is the border of the fish Sanctuary? If i launch from the Dam, how far up the river do i have to travel to be able to fish?

I believe the dam is the border, my buddy lives just north of the dam. Not sure if you can launch a boat at the dam that will allow you to fish north of the dam, if not there is a public boat launch on the Quebec side of the river just before you enter town. The river narrows not far up on the north side of the dam, maybe 5 minutes by boat if that, not too hard to find as the water is quite turbulent in the narrows. I have seen people fishing for walleye in these narrows. We usually troll and try and stay in the 12ft to 20ft deep range which keeps you quite close to the shoreline.

check the regs, it should be clear where the line is.
BTW, if you don't have a Quebec license, I wouldn't launch on the Qc side.
Be mindful of that border too.

You don't need a Quebec license to fish anywhere on the Ottawa. You can fish the Ottawa river with either license. You just have to obey the catch limits of both sides. I have a place on the Quebec side and fish with only an Ontario license

From the Quebec regs "The holder of an Ontario sportfishing licence is deemed to be the holder of a Québec fishing licence for fishing in zone 25"

Just don't bring live bait across the border.

Nuz-you're lucky you haven't been caught. If you launch on the Quebec side and return on the Quebec side, you need a Quebec license.

The reg you are referring to applies only if you leave from the Ontario side and return. An Ontario license holder can fish the Ottawa river providing he does not set foot in Quebec.

I have it in writing from the Quebec ministry that I can return to the Quebec side with my catch and it is fine. I can also store my catch on the Quebec side or transport it back with me to Ontario as long as I abide by the catch limits and transportation laws. I wanted to be sure since I am in Quebec a lot so I emailed them a list of questions. I keep the answers in my tackle box in case I am ever stopped

then I am wrong. just doesn't seem logical to me.

Email them and ask. Wouldn't be surprises if we get two different answers to the same question from them:P That's why I carry the email with me. Shows them I at least looked into it and received an answer that I am abiding by.

Hey Guys,

Just an FYI on access to The Ottawa River for this season:

The Ontario dam where the PWGSC boat launch is located is under construction and due to safety concerns will be closed to public access for the 2016 season.

An alternate boat launch has been established in Thorne Ontario about 3 km south of the Dam.

Signs are established to direct traffic to the alternate launch, please respect the no trespassing signage installed around the active construction site - It's there for your safety.

That being said it is also important to note that the usual shore fishing access on the Ontario dam will not be available this year either.

As far as the sanctuary limits go, anything upstream of the Dams is open for walleye on the third Saturday in May and there is a boat launch on the Quebec side of the river, upstream of the Quebec dam.

If anyone has any more questions feel free to email me at nont89@gmail.com

Thanks,

Dam Don is not going to be happy to hear this news