Scotchman Lake in Saint John County: How and When to Fish It

• Overview

  In New Brunswick, Scotchman Lake falls inside Saint John County. The sea is 6 km distant. At roughly 2 hectares, the whole thing is within casting reach of a single walk. Our Saint John County list holds plenty of bigger water. Nearest town is Lancaster, 5.3 km off. Dartmouth sits 217 km out, and it is the nearest city worth the name. A border sits close enough to be relevant to the paperwork.

• Where to Fish on Scotchman Lake

  The records we hold are silent on depth, so plan to find it yourself. The shallow end warms first and pulls fish in ahead of the rest. This is a lake, so the margins and the first drop matter most. County-wide records name alewife, Atlantic salmon, rainbow smelt and American shad. Some of the species recorded here are protected or tightly regulated, so check what may be targeted before you fish. Fish Scotchman Lake to its features, not to its size.

• Seasonal Patterns

  Typical August readings run about 18°C; by January the average is down near -9°C. Four clear seasons, with a proper winter at one end. Hard water holds through the cold months, breaking up near mid April. The water is typically free of ice between mid April and mid December. The first weeks of open water and the last are the ones to plan for. Keep it in mind when planning a trip to Scotchman Lake.

• Tackle & Baits

  Whether you may fish here is not something records settle. Nothing is listed nearby for parking or launching a boat. Salmon and sea-run fish answer to spoons and spinners where lure fishing is allowed; check the method rules first. Rules differ from one water to the next round here. Close seasons apply to some species and not others. Cain Lake at 0.5 km is the sensible second choice. Signs at Scotchman Lake carry more weight than any list.