Griffins Lake near Ingonish: Fishing Spots, Seasons and Access

• Overview

  Griffins Lake stands in Victoria County, Nova Scotia. The sea is 1.6 km distant. At roughly 4 hectares, the whole thing is within casting reach of a single walk. It is low-lying compared with other Nova Scotia water we list. The nearest place of any size is Ingonish, 26 km away. Florence is 75 km away, with Sydney Mines at 79 km. There is no boundary nearby to worry about.

• Where to Fish on Griffins Lake

  The records we hold are silent on depth, so plan to find it yourself. Work the tide here — moving water feeds, slack water rests. A soft bed grows weed late into autumn, which keeps fish shallow. Weed, then depth: that is the order to fish a water of this kind. Across Victoria County, recorded fish include Atlantic salmon, striped bass, Atlantic cod, alewife and brook trout. Some of the species recorded here are protected or tightly regulated, so check what may be targeted before you fish. Fish Griffins Lake to its features, not to its size.

• Seasonal Patterns

  Climate records put August near 17°C and February near -8°C. Cold winters and warm summers give a wide working range. Hard water holds through the cold months, breaking up near early May. On average, early May opens the water and mid December closes it again. From the thaw to midsummer the fishing improves week by week. The season on Griffins Lake rarely departs from it.

• Tackle & Baits

  Whether you may fish here is not something records settle. There is no mapped parking or launch nearby, which keeps numbers down. A small crankbait along the drop and a worm in the thick stuff cover the bass. Where a permit is needed, the nearest town usually sells it. Where parking is tight, arriving early solves most problems. Should this one be busy, Black Lake is 6.9 km off. For Griffins Lake in particular, ask before you travel.