Spot Report: Kamaniskeg Lake, Ontario

Kamaniskeg Lake is a bass angler’s dream. Black with tannin, picturesque and serene. Located in the municipalities of Hastings Highlands, Hastings County, and Madawaska Valley, Renfrew County, in Southern Ontario, Canada. It is part of the Ottawa River drainage basin and is located in the Madawaska River Valley, with nearby communities of Barry’s Bay and Combermere. Kamaiskeg Lake has a depth of 130ft.

The lake holds the wreck of the Mayflower, a paddle steamer which sank in 1912. The wreck site is on the north side of the two islands, about 500 yards (460 m) from the large island heading towards the section of the lake heading to Barry’s Bay. It is usually marked by a white floating jug, and at a depth of about 25 feet (7.6 m) to the bottom.

Kamaniskeg is a deep, rocky, northern escarpment lake, with little in the way of vegetation. Home to football smallmouth bass, large pike and plentiful walleye, although if you are not used to fishing a lake of this type, they can be elusive.

Bass can be picked off almost anywhere in the lake less than 50ft deep with a dropshot setup, and will often end up taking your walleye jig as well. While hunting smallmouth bass, search around the islands in the center of the lake for dropoffs and use the natural cliff walls around the outside of the lake.

Walleye favour the Madawaska river inlet at dawn and dusk, but can be picked up in any deeper areas where you get some vegetation on your graphs.

To the north of the lake towards Barry’s Bay, you will find more vegetation , and perhaps some pike and largemouth. If padcrashing and frogging is your game, head this way.

Check out the video below for a taste of what Kamaniskeg Lake has to offer!