Fishing at MacAloneys Lake, Cumberland County, Nova Scotia

• Overview

  MacAloneys Lake belongs to Cumberland County, Nova Scotia. The water sits 12 metres up. At about 15 hectares, a day is enough to walk the shoreline properly. The edge runs 2.2 km or so, easy to work in an afternoon. By elevation it sits in the lower part of our Nova Scotia listings. Parrsboro sits 3.1 km from the bank. Dartmouth is the closest city, 103 km away. It sits well inside the county, so one set of rules covers it.

• Where to Fish on MacAloneys Lake

  We hold no survey for this water; read the slope of the shoreline instead. Being tidal, the water moves twice a day, and the fishing moves with it. Where the bottom changes texture, fish gather; find that line. The shallow end warms first and pulls fish in ahead of the rest. Species logged across Cumberland County include Atlantic salmon, brook trout and striped bass. Fish MacAloneys Lake where the bottom changes rather than where it looks deep.

• Seasonal Patterns

  July runs about 18°C on average, January about -7°C. A full turn of seasons, with the strongest sport on either side of summer. The freeze runs deep into the year, with break-up near mid April. On average, mid April opens the water and mid December closes it again. The strongest runs come at either end of the open season. Plan any trip to MacAloneys Lake around it.

• Tackle & Baits

  The paperwork position is blank for this one. It formed naturally, so levels move with rainfall rather than with a gate. No made access appears within a short radius, so plan to park on a verge and walk. Bass water: a Texas-rigged worm near cover, a spinnerbait when you need to cover ground. Rules differ from one water to the next round here. Keep proof of licence with you rather than in the car. For a change of water, Leake Lake is 1.2 km distant. Check the position on MacAloneys Lake before loading the car.