Arnott Lake Fishing in Cochrane District, Ontario

• Overview

  Out in Cochrane District, Ontario, sits Arnott Lake. The surface lies 304 metres up. At 1.71 sq km this is proper open water rather than a pond. At about 18 km of edge, most people work one arm at a time. On our Cochrane District list it sits near the top for size. The closest town, Hornepayne, is 44 km distant. Thunder Bay sits 365 km out, and it is the nearest city worth the name. The nearest edge is a long way off, so local rules apply throughout.

• Where to Fish on Arnott Lake

  Depth is unknown to us, and the shoreline is the better guide. The productive water is a rod length or two out, not a hundred. Where the bottom changes texture, fish gather; find that line. Species logged across Cochrane District include northern pike, yellow perch and white sucker. Take it as the county picture rather than a promise for this water. On Arnott Lake the obvious spot is not always the productive one.

• Seasonal Patterns

  Seasonal averages run from -19°C in January up to 16°C in July. The window is narrow, and fish feed hard while it lasts. Hard water holds through the cold months, breaking up near early May. The season between ice runs from about early May to mid November. Late spring and early autumn carry the year between them. Plan any trip to Arnott Lake around it.

• Tackle & Baits

  Our records carry no access rule either way. It formed naturally, so levels move with rainfall rather than with a gate. Nothing built is recorded close to the bank here. A small crankbait along the drop and a worm in the thick stuff cover the bass. Read any posted signs at the access point rather than assuming. Some stretches are reserved and marked as such on the ground. Souter Lake, 1.1 km away, makes the obvious fallback. For Arnott Lake in particular, ask before you travel.