Wheaton Lake in Charlotte County: How and When to Fish It

• Overview

  In New Brunswick, Wheaton Lake falls inside Charlotte County. Salt water lies 0.4 km off. This is sizeable water at about 1.04 sq km, and a boat opens up most of it. A shoreline of some 4.8 km keeps the choices simple. On our Charlotte County list it sits near the top for size. Start from Saint Andrews, 11 km down the road. The nearest city of size is Dartmouth, 275 km away. No county line comes close, which keeps the paperwork simple.

• Where to Fish on Wheaton Lake

  Depth here is unknown, so count the lead down before committing. Being tidal, the water moves twice a day, and the fishing moves with it. On a natural lake the weed line and the shelf beyond it do the work. Where the bottom changes texture, fish gather; find that line. Records held for Charlotte County cover Atlantic salmon, coalfish, alewife, Atlantic cod and rainbow smelt. At least one recorded species is protected in parts of its range; read the local rules before targeting anything. Wheaton Lake gives up more to patience than to distance.

• Seasonal Patterns

  Typical July readings run about 18°C; by January the average is down near -8°C. Winter shuts the surface down for months. Firm cover through the cold months, then open water from mid April. Average temperatures cross freezing around mid April in spring and again near mid December in autumn. The open run goes from the thaw to the freeze, and April through October covers most of it. Plan around that when you fish Wheaton Lake.

• Tackle & Baits

  There is no clear statement anywhere on who can fish it. No dam controls it, and the level follows the season. There is no recorded infrastructure here; expect to find your own way in. For the bass here, soft plastics worked slow along cover and a spinnerbait for searching do most of the work. Check locally before you travel, because a wasted drive is a long one. Check whether bait restrictions apply before you buy any. Bills Lake, 2.1 km away, makes the obvious fallback. Rules at Wheaton Lake are worth checking on the day.