Mackins Lake Fishing Guide, Saint John County, New Brunswick

• Overview

  In New Brunswick, Mackins Lake falls inside Saint John County. The setting is pine and birch. About 8 hectares of surface, which puts the far bank inside easy sight. Supplies mean a trip to Wells, 15 km off. For a city, Dartmouth is 186 km off. Also on the doorstep: Burley Lake (3.2 km), Taylor Lake within 4.3 km, Otter Lake (4.6 km), Haynes Lake within 7.8 km and Duck Pond (8 km). Two sets of local rules meet not far from this water.

• Where to Fish on Mackins Lake

  Depth remains unrecorded, so treat the first session as a survey. Weed, then depth: that is the order to fish a water of this kind. Bays and points beat straight shoreline every time on water like this. Saint John County records list alewife, Atlantic salmon, rainbow smelt, American shad and American eel among the fish reported. At least one recorded species is protected in parts of its range; read the local rules before targeting anything. Mackins Lake fishes better once you know its edges.

• Seasonal Patterns

  On the long-term average, July reads 17°C and January reads -8°C. Winter closes the water for a while, and the reopening is worth catching. The lid usually goes in mid April, which opens the strongest weeks of the year. The lid tends to go about mid April and return around early December. Spring is short and heavy here; autumn is longer and steadier. The season on Mackins Lake rarely departs from it.

• Tackle & Baits

  Who may fish here is not settled in anything we hold. Mapping shows no built access close by; expect to walk in from wherever you can leave the car. For salmon, swing spoons or flies through the moving water and mind the local method rules. Season dates differ by species, so read the table. Keep proof of licence with you rather than in the car. Failing this one, try Burley Lake, 3.2 km away. For Mackins Lake, the notice at the access point is the final word.