Long Lake Fishing in Shelburne County, Nova Scotia

• Overview

  Shelburne County, Nova Scotia, is where Long Lake sits. It sits 30 km in from the sea. The water covers around 1.60 sq km, which puts most of it out of reach from the bank. On our Shelburne County list it sits near the top for size. Shelburne is the closest place, 30 km off. Barrington is 49 km away, with Yarmouth at 52 km. It lies deep inside the county rather than near an edge.

• Where to Fish on Long Lake

  Depth figures are not published for this one. Look for the band where the shallows give up and the bottom falls away. Read the surface for the wind lane, then fish the edge of it. Shelburne County records list American eel, alewife, Atlantic whitefish, yellow perch and Atlantic salmon among the fish reported. Some of the species recorded here are protected or tightly regulated, so check what may be targeted before you fish. Long Lake gives up its fish to patience rather than distance.

• Seasonal Patterns

  The range across the year is -5°C to 17°C. Fishing here follows the temperature more than the calendar. Winter fishing happens on the ice here, with open water back around early April. In an average year the thaw lands around early April and the freeze near late December. The weeks after the thaw and the ones before the freeze are the strongest. It holds true on Long Lake more years than not.

• Tackle & Baits

  The paperwork position is blank for this one. Mapping records no facilities at all near this water. Light line and small metal for the trout; a fly rod earns its place on calm evenings. Local rules can differ across the county line, so check where you stand. Where the way in crosses private ground, ask first. Auger Lake, 1 km away, makes the obvious fallback. Where Long Lake is concerned, a local answer beats a written one.