Ross Lake, Manitoba: Fishing Spots and Seasons

• Overview

  Ross Lake is a Reynolds water, Manitoba side. The water sits 335 metres up. Around 42 hectares of surface means several distinct areas to work. The full circuit measures close to 3.0 km on foot. The closest town, Kenora, is 64 km distant. Lac du Bonnet lies 68 km off, Moose Lake another 70 km. Other water nearby: Telford Pond within 1.1 km, Shiaro Lake lies 2.4 km on, Telford Lake within 2.9 km, Loon Lake lies 4.3 km on and Hnatiw Lake within 4.4 km. No border sits close enough to matter.

• Where to Fish on Ross Lake

  There is no published depth for this one, so start shallow and work out. A soft bed grows weed late into autumn, which keeps fish shallow. Bays and points beat straight shoreline every time on water like this. Fish documented in Reynolds include northern pike, walleye, yellow perch, johnny darter and smallmouth bass. The list covers the county rather than this water alone, so treat it as a guide. At Ross Lake the first feature you find is worth twenty minutes.

• Seasonal Patterns

  Long-term averages put July at about 19°C and January near -19°C. The freeze arrives properly here and holds. The lid arrives early and lasts until roughly late April. Climate figures give an open season running late April to mid November. The shoulder weeks of the open season are the productive ones. Plan around that when you fish Ross Lake.

• Tackle & Baits

  The paperwork position is blank for this one. It formed naturally, so levels move with rainfall rather than with a gate. A carry of 930 m from the nearest parking is the price of fishing here. Largemouth respond to soft plastics tight to cover; go weedless where the growth is heavy. Where the road in crosses private land, ask first. Check whether bait restrictions apply before you buy any. Should this one be busy, Telford Pond is 1.1 km off. The position on Ross Lake is worth confirming on the day.