Fishing Buck Lake in Saint John County, New Brunswick

• Overview

  In New Brunswick, Buck Lake falls inside Saint John County. It sits at 79 metres above sea level. It measures about 21 hectares, which is a comfortable size for bank fishing. The bank runs about 3.6 km all the way round, so one visit can cover most of it. Supplies mean a trip to Silver Falls, 4.2 km off. Forest Hills is 4.5 km away, with McAllister at 4.9 km. The boundary is close enough to be worth checking before you fish.

• Where to Fish on Buck Lake

  No published figure covers depth, so learn it as you fish. A natural lake fishes on cover, and cover here means weed and timber. The productive water is a rod length or two out, not a hundred. Across Saint John County, recorded fish include alewife, Atlantic salmon, rainbow smelt and American shad. At least one recorded species is protected in parts of its range; read the local rules before targeting anything. On Buck Lake a short move beats a long cast.

• Seasonal Patterns

  Expect August to average close to 18°C, with January the cold end at about -8°C. The year splits cleanly: hard water, then open water. Winter fishing happens on the ice here, with open water back around mid April. On average, mid April opens the water and mid December closes it again. The open run goes from the thaw to the freeze, and April through October covers most of it. That is the shape of the year on Buck Lake.

• Tackle & Baits

  Access status is simply unknown for this water. No dam controls it, and the level follows the season. Parking is not close: 1.2 km from the bank, and no nearer option is mapped. Salmon and sea-run fish answer to spoons and spinners where lure fishing is allowed; check the method rules first. Check locally before you travel, because a wasted drive is a long one. Keep proof of licence with you rather than in the car. Blindman Lake sits 2.3 km off and takes the overflow. Rules at Buck Lake are worth checking on the day.