Fishing at West Horseshoe Lake, Shelburne County, Nova Scotia

• Overview

  West Horseshoe Lake stands in Shelburne County, Nova Scotia. The bank is 76 metres above sea level. The water covers some 95 hectares, so pick a bank rather than trying to cover it all. Shoreline length is close to 7.5 km, and each section fishes a little differently. The town to know is Shelburne, 33 km out. Further out sit Barrington (53 km) and Yarmouth (55 km). The nearest boundary is well away, so one set of rules covers the water.

• Where to Fish on West Horseshoe Lake

  Nothing we hold settles how deep this runs. The shallow end warms first and pulls fish in ahead of the rest. A soft bed grows weed late into autumn, which keeps fish shallow. Records held for Shelburne County cover American eel, alewife, Atlantic whitefish and yellow perch. Some of the species recorded here are protected or tightly regulated, so check what may be targeted before you fish. Fish West Horseshoe Lake to its features, not to its size.

• Seasonal Patterns

  The warmest month averages 18°C, the coldest about -5°C. Seasons are distinct, and each one fishes differently. Look for the thaw near early April; the fishing lifts straight after. Averages suggest open water from about early April through to roughly late December. From the thaw to midsummer the fishing improves week by week. Plan any trip to West Horseshoe Lake around it.

• Tackle & Baits

  Ownership and access are not documented in what we hold. Records list it as a natural water body rather than an impoundment. Access points are not mapped for this water, which suits people who like quiet. Trout here take small spinners, spoons and, where fly water allows, a nymph or dry. Ask in the nearest town if you are unsure. Keep proof of licence with you rather than in the car. Should this one be busy, Clamshell Lake is 1 km off. What applies at West Horseshoe Lake may have changed since it was mapped.