McKims Hole near Amherst: Fishing Spots, Seasons and Access

• Overview

  Out in Cumberland County, Nova Scotia, sits McKims Hole. Everything around it is lake country bush. It covers about 6 hectares, so this is small water you can walk round in under an hour. Shoreline comes to about 1.9 km, small enough to learn in a day. It lies lower than most water we list in Nova Scotia. For a base, Amherst sits 6.8 km out. The nearest city of size is Dartmouth, 142 km away. Being near a boundary, it pays to know which side you are fishing.

• Where to Fish on McKims Hole

  Nothing in our records gives a depth for this one. The shallow end warms first and pulls fish in ahead of the rest. Still water like this holds fish on the edges rather than out in the open. County-wide records name Atlantic salmon, brook trout, striped bass, rainbow smelt and American eel. Protected fish appear in the records for this area, so treat the list as information, not an invitation. The shape of McKims Hole rewards a slow walk along one bank.

• Seasonal Patterns

  Climate normals give 18°C for July and -8°C for January. Seasons are distinct, and each one fishes differently. Ice is part of the season here, ending near mid April. The season between ice runs from about mid April to mid December. June through September is the settled part of the year, with the shoulders busier for fish. It holds true on McKims Hole more years than not.

• Tackle & Baits

  Nothing in our records says who may fish here. Records list it as a natural water body rather than an impoundment. No car park, ramp or path is recorded within easy reach of the shore. Largemouth respond to soft plastics tight to cover; go weedless where the growth is heavy. Take the rules with you rather than trusting memory. A polite question at the farm gate opens more banks than anything else. The nearest alternative is Mud Lake, 0.5 km out. Signs at McKims Hole carry more weight than any list.