Renfrew County is the largest county in Ontario, covering an area of 7,800 square kilometers. The Trans Canada Highway runs along the northern boundary of the county. The county stretches from the national capital region of Ottawa to the east, along the shores of the beautiful Ottawa River to the northern tip of historic Algonquin Park thus forming its western boundary. The southern boundary touches on the counties of Hastings, Lennox-Addington, Frontenac and Lanark. The county, after restructuring in 2000, is now divided into 17 municipalities. The Township of Whitewater Region is one of those 17 municipalities.
Renfrew County boasts 64,000 hectares of freshwater lakes and 275 kilometers of shoreline along the Ottawa River. This paradise includes over 450 lakes and three smaller river systems including the Madawaska, Bonnechere and Petawawa Rivers. Lakes vary in size from Bark Lake, the largest, at nearly 4,000 hectares, to small lakes of only a few hectares. Other large lakes include Black Donald, Calabogie, Centennial, Lake Clear, Constant, Lake Dore, Golden, Kamaniskeg, Mink, Muskrat, Paugh, Round, and White. The multitude of small lakes are productive and many are hidden in out-of-the way locations.
The waters of Renfrew County hold both warm-water and cold-water species. The Ottawa River itself is home to more than 20 species of fish. Cold water lakes are known mostly for trout species: lake trout, speckles/brookies, splake, rainbow and brown trout. Warm water lakes and the river systems are renowned for walleye, smallmouth bass, largemouth bass, northern pike, muskie and an assortment of panfish.
The western portion of the region is geographically a transition area from the Algonquin and Madawaska Highlands to the lowlands of the Ottawa Valley. Rolling forested hills along with small, cool lakes are characteristic of the highland areas. In the lowlands closer to the Ottawa River, pine trees flourish in the region’s sandy soil. Both cold water and warm water species mix depending on the geography of the land.
In the northern portion of the county from Rolphton to Deux Rivieres, trout dominate the lakes and streams. The cold waters of the area are ideal for both brook trout (speckles) and lake trout.
In the southern portion of the county there is again a mixture of warm- and cold-water species. Trout and smallmouth bass will be found in the cooler lakes of the highlands. Warm water species such as bass, walleye, pike and muskie are located in the lowland lakes and rivers. The eastern section of the county is noted for more warm water species of fish than cold water species.
The county of Renfrew, promoted as a semi-wilderness region, is a world-class outdoor recreation area with convenient access to major urban centres. Aside from the excellent fishing opportunities, the region is a playground for virtually any outdoor adventure four seasons of the year.
Lorne Spotswood is the owner of Spotswood Landing & Fishing Maps Plus
