Big George Lake in Nipissing District: How and When to Fish It

• Overview

  Big George Lake sits within Nipissing District in Ontario. It stands 366 metres above sea level. It runs to roughly 91 hectares — big enough to hold fish away from the bank, small enough to learn. The edge covers about 6.2 km, enough to hold several distinct areas. It ranks high for size among our Nipissing District listings. The closest town, Mattawa, is 42 km distant. It is 209 km to Barrie, the nearest city. Rules here are straightforward: one set of provincial rules.

• Where to Fish on Big George Lake

  Nothing in our records gives a depth for this one. This is a lake, so the margins and the first drop matter most. Look for the band where the shallows give up and the bottom falls away. Public occurrence data for Nipissing District names smallmouth bass, cisco, yellow perch and pumpkinseed. Those are county-wide records, so not every one of them will be in this water. Big George Lake responds to conditions more than to tactics.

• Seasonal Patterns

  The year swings from about -13°C in January to roughly 18°C in July. Seasons are distinct, and each one fishes differently. The open season starts with the thaw, near enough late April. Averages suggest open water from about late April through to roughly late November. The middle of summer slows a little, with dawn and dusk carrying it. The season on Big George Lake follows the weather closely.

• Tackle & Baits

  Ownership and access are not documented in what we hold. This is a natural basin, not a dammed one. You can camp about 200 m away, going by the mapping. For the bass here, soft plastics worked slow along cover and a spinnerbait for searching do most of the work. Read any posted signs at the access point rather than assuming. Access can change hands, so last year's answer may not hold. Wee George Lake sits 2 km off and takes the overflow. Confirm before you fish Big George Lake.