Johnson Lake Fishing in Colchester, Nova Scotia

• Overview

  Set in Colchester, Nova Scotia, this is Johnson Lake. The surface lies 188 metres up. It covers about 8 hectares, so this is small water you can walk round in under an hour. It sits higher than most water we list in Nova Scotia. The nearest place of any size is Bible Hill, 25 km away. Truro lies 27 km off, Westville another 33 km. Being near a boundary, it pays to know which side you are fishing.

• Where to Fish on Johnson Lake

  Nothing in our records gives a depth for this one. Still water like this holds fish on the edges rather than out in the open. Weed, then depth: that is the order to fish a water of this kind. Records held for Colchester cover Atlantic salmon, striped bass, brook trout, American eel and white sucker. At least one recorded species is protected in parts of its range; read the local rules before targeting anything. Treat Johnson Lake as a water to read rather than to cover.

• Seasonal Patterns

  Expect July near 18°C and January near -7°C on the long-run figures. Seasons are distinct, and each one fishes differently. After mid April the shallows warm and the fish move up. Climate averages put the opening at about mid April and the closing near mid December. The first weeks of open water and the last are the ones to plan for. That is the shape of the year on Johnson Lake.

• Tackle & Baits

  The rules here are undocumented as far as public sources go. No built facilities appear in mapping around this water. Bass water: a Texas-rigged worm near cover, a spinnerbait when you need to cover ground. Check whether a boat is allowed before you tow one. Some water is controlled locally without a sign saying so. For a change of water, Little Johnson Lake is 0.7 km distant. Check the position on Johnson Lake before loading the car.