Fishing Goldsmiths Lake in Charlotte County, New Brunswick

• Overview

  New Brunswick holds Goldsmiths Lake, in Charlotte County. The shore lies 1.7 km out. Surface area runs to about 10 hectares — small enough to read in one session. It lies lower than most water we list in New Brunswick. Some 13 km away sits Calais, the nearest settlement. St. Stephen is 14 km and Saint Andrews 15 km. Two sets of local rules meet not far from this water.

• Where to Fish on Goldsmiths Lake

  The records we hold are silent on depth, so plan to find it yourself. On a natural lake the weed line and the shelf beyond it do the work. The productive water is a rod length or two out, not a hundred. Charlotte County records list Atlantic salmon, coalfish, alewife, Atlantic cod and rainbow smelt among the fish reported. Several of these carry legal protection or closed seasons; the rulebook comes before the rod. On Goldsmiths Lake a short move beats a long cast.

• Seasonal Patterns

  Typical July readings run about 19°C; by January the average is down near -8°C. Four clear seasons, with a proper winter at one end. Firm cover through the cold months, then open water from mid April. Break-up near mid April, freeze-up near mid December: that is the shape of an average year. June through September is the settled part of the year, with the shoulders busier for fish. The season on Goldsmiths Lake follows the weather closely.

• Tackle & Baits

  Public data does not answer the access question here. The water borders Bartlett Mills Nature Preserve, so expect the reserve rules to apply. A small crankbait along the drop and a worm in the thick stuff cover the bass. Gates get locked out of season on water like this. Rules for boats are stricter than rules for the bank in many places. Failing this one, try Canty Lake, 1.1 km away. Signs at Goldsmiths Lake carry more weight than any list.