Bea Lake Fishing Guide, Hastings County, Ontario

• Overview

  You will find Bea Lake in Hastings County, Ontario. The setting is rolling bush on every side. Small at around 8 hectares: two anglers spread out cover most of it. Bancroft is the closest place, 21 km off. Kingston sits 121 km out, and it is the nearest city worth the name. Also worth knowing: Buttermilk Lake within 2 km, Hamm Lake roughly 2.2 km, Twomile Lake within 2.7 km, Horseshoe Lake roughly 3 km and McFee Lake within 3.6 km. The nearest boundary is well away, so one set of rules covers the water.

• Where to Fish on Bea Lake

  Without a survey to go on, judge depth from how the bank falls away. Still water like this holds fish on the edges rather than out in the open. This is a lake, so the margins and the first drop matter most. Fish documented in Hastings County include rock bass, smallmouth bass, pumpkinseed and yellow perch. County data is a starting point rather than a guarantee. On Bea Lake that means starting tight and working out.

• Seasonal Patterns

  The seasonal spread runs -11°C to 19°C. A hard winter is normal, and the thaw brings a strong few weeks. Hard water holds through the cold months, breaking up near mid April. Averages place the thaw at mid April and the freeze at early December. Just after the ice goes and just before it returns, the fishing lifts. Keep it in mind when planning a trip to Bea Lake.

• Tackle & Baits

  Whether the bank is open is not something our records settle. No made access appears within a short radius, so plan to park on a verge and walk. A small crankbait along the drop and a worm in the thick stuff cover the bass. Take the rules with you rather than trusting memory. Signs go up and come down, so check on the day. If the gate is shut, Buttermilk Lake at 2 km is the nearest alternative. Check the position on Bea Lake before loading the car.