Barred Owl Lake in Nipissing District: How and When to Fish It

• Overview

  You will find Barred Owl Lake in Nipissing District, Ontario. Elevation runs to 417 metres. At roughly 5 hectares, the whole thing is within casting reach of a single walk. It is a small entry by Nipissing District standards. 39 km away sits South River, the nearest town. Powassan is 40 km and Mattawa 50 km. Also worth knowing: Nod Lake 0.4 km away, Linnet Lake at 0.6 km, Nid Lake 0.9 km away, Loughrin Lake at 1.7 km and Gibson Lake 2.8 km away. There is no boundary nearby to worry about.

• Where to Fish on Barred Owl Lake

  Nothing we hold settles how deep this runs. Still water like this holds fish on the edges rather than out in the open. Look for the band where the shallows give up and the bottom falls away. Species logged across Nipissing District include smallmouth bass, cisco, yellow perch, pumpkinseed and rock bass. Records at this level tell you what is in the area. On Barred Owl Lake the obvious spot is not always the productive one.

• Seasonal Patterns

  July is the warm end of the year here, averaging about 18°C, while January sits near -13°C. A hard winter is normal, and the thaw brings a strong few weeks. The lid usually goes in late April, which opens the strongest weeks of the year. Ice usually gives way near late April, and forms again about late November. From the thaw to midsummer the fishing improves week by week. That is the shape of the year on Barred Owl Lake.

• Tackle & Baits

  Our records carry no access rule either way. A campsite lies 70 m away for anyone staying over. 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. Fishing rules and camping rules are set separately here. For a change of water, Nod Lake is 0.4 km distant. Check the position at Barred Owl Lake before loading the car.