Fishing at Pat Lake, Halifax Regional Municipality, Nova Scotia

• Overview

  Pat Lake stands in Halifax Regional Municipality, Nova Scotia. The sea is 30 km distant. At roughly 5 hectares, the whole thing is within casting reach of a single walk. Musquodoboit Harbour is the closest place, 38 km off. Further out sit Stewiacke (40 km) and Milford Station (46 km). Others within reach: Fisher Lake a touch under 1 km, Grassy Lake out at 1.7 km, Rocky Lake a touch under 2.3 km, Grassy Lake out at 2.3 km and Butler Lake a touch under 3 km. There is no boundary nearby to worry about.

• Where to Fish on Pat Lake

  Depth is unknown to us, and the shoreline is the better guide. Bays and points beat straight shoreline every time on water like this. A natural lake fishes on cover, and cover here means weed and timber. Survey and observation records for Halifax Regional Municipality include brook trout, alewife, rainbow smelt and American eel. At least one recorded species is protected in parts of its range; read the local rules before targeting anything. Work Pat Lake in sections rather than trying to cover it.

• Seasonal Patterns

  Between January at about -6°C and August at about 18°C, the water has a wide range to work through. Fishing here follows the temperature more than the calendar. Break-up comes around mid April, and the run that follows is short and strong. Ice usually gives way near mid April, and forms again about mid December. The strongest runs come at either end of the open season. Time your trip to Pat Lake by conditions rather than dates.

• Tackle & Baits

  The access position is unclear from public sources. A pier 830 m from here gives a platform over deeper water. Trout here take small spinners, spoons and, where fly water allows, a nymph or dry. Read any posted signs at the access point rather than assuming. Rules for boats are stricter than rules for the bank in many places. Failing this one, try Fisher Lake, 1 km away. Ask locally about Pat Lake if anything is unclear.