Bedford Lake near Bancroft: Fishing Spots, Seasons and Access

• Overview

  The Haliburton County entry here is Bedford Lake, in Ontario. What surrounds it is mixed forest. Around 14 hectares of surface means several distinct areas to work. Around 1.6 km of margin, front to back. The closest town, Bancroft, is 21 km distant. After that come Haliburton Village at 36 km and United Townships of Dysart, Dudley, Harcourt, Guilford, Harburn, Bruton, Havelock, Eyre and Clyde at 38 km. This one sits near enough to a boundary to be worth checking.

• Where to Fish on Bedford Lake

  Depth is unknown to us, and the shoreline is the better guide. A soft bed grows weed late into autumn, which keeps fish shallow. Still water like this holds fish on the edges rather than out in the open. Survey and observation records for Haliburton County include smallmouth bass, pumpkinseed and rock bass. The list covers the county rather than this water alone, so treat it as a guide. Read Bedford Lake before you fish it and the day goes better.

• Seasonal Patterns

  Averages here run 18°C at the top of summer and -11°C at the bottom of winter. Winter closes the water for a while, and the reopening is worth catching. Hard cover is dependable here; it goes around mid April. On the long-run averages the water opens up around mid April and starts locking again about early December. The strong weeks are the first after break-up and the last before the freeze. Keep it in mind when planning a trip to Bedford Lake.

• Tackle & Baits

  We hold no note on access for this one. No dam controls it, and the level follows the season. No car park, ramp or path is recorded within easy reach of the shore. Largemouth respond to soft plastics tight to cover; go weedless where the growth is heavy. Parking space is the usual limit rather than the bank itself. Access can change hands, so last year's answer may not hold. If the gate is shut, Farrel Lake at 1.6 km is the nearest alternative. None of that is settled for Bedford Lake in what we hold.