Bordens Lake, Nova Scotia: Fishing Spots and Seasons

• Overview

  Bordens Lake lies within the bounds of Guysborough County, Nova Scotia. Salt water lies 4.8 km off. Small at around 8 hectares: two anglers spread out cover most of it. The town to know is Port Hawkesbury, 30 km out. Antigonish lies 44 km off, Louisdale another 45 km. Not far off: 0.7 km away is Skinner Lake, Cooks Lake at about 1.3 km, 1.9 km away is Priest Lake, Poder Lake at about 2.5 km and 2.9 km away is Cutlers Lake. No county line comes close, which keeps the paperwork simple.

• Where to Fish on Bordens Lake

  Depth here is unknown, so count the lead down before committing. A natural lake fishes on cover, and cover here means weed and timber. Look for the band where the shallows give up and the bottom falls away. County-wide records name alewife, American eel, brook trout and Atlantic salmon. Protected fish appear in the records for this area, so treat the list as information, not an invitation. The shape of Bordens Lake rewards a slow walk along one bank.

• Seasonal Patterns

  Between February at about -6°C and August at about 18°C, the water has a wide range to work through. Winter shuts the surface down for months. The lid usually goes in late April, which opens the strongest weeks of the year. On average, late April opens the water and late December closes it again. Right after break-up, and again as the nights sharpen, is when to go. At Bordens Lake the season follows that pattern closely.

• Tackle & Baits

  Nothing we hold confirms whether access is permitted. Mapping records no facilities at all near this water. Trout here take small spinners, spoons and, where fly water allows, a nymph or dry. Take the rules with you rather than trusting memory. Rules for boats are stricter than rules for the bank in many places. Should this one be busy, Skinner Lake is 0.7 km off. For Bordens Lake, the notice at the access point is the final word.