Animoosh Lake in Nipissing District: How and When to Fish It

• Overview

  The Nipissing District end of Ontario holds Animoosh Lake. The surface lies 382 metres up. With some 62 hectares of water, there is room for a boat but no need of one. There is roughly 3.6 km of shoreline here, which is a short walk end to end. 60 km away sits Chalk River, the nearest town. The nearest city of size is Gatineau, 192 km away. It sits well inside the county, so one set of rules covers it.

• Where to Fish on Animoosh 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. Fish documented in Nipissing District include smallmouth bass, cisco and yellow perch. Records at this level tell you what is in the area. On Animoosh Lake that means starting tight and working out.

• Seasonal Patterns

  In an average year July sits at 18°C and January at -13°C. The year splits cleanly: hard water, then open water. Firm cover through the cold months, then open water from late April. In an average year the thaw lands around late April and the freeze near late November. September and October fish steadily right up to the freeze. Animoosh Lake runs to that rhythm year in and year out.

• Tackle & Baits

  The paperwork position is blank for this one. No dam controls it, and the level follows the season. Overnight stays are possible 230 m away. For the bass here, soft plastics worked slow along cover and a spinnerbait for searching do most of the work. Check whether a boat is allowed before you tow one. Where tickets apply, they are sold in the nearest town rather than on the bank. Should this one be busy, Cat Lake is 0.8 km off. Treat access at Animoosh Lake as something to verify.