Big Salmon Lake Fishing Guide, Frontenac County, Ontario

• Overview

  Big Salmon Lake is a Frontenac County water, in Ontario. Height above sea level is 158 metres. At 1.57 sq km this is proper open water rather than a pond. At about 14 km of edge, most people work one arm at a time. It is among the larger waters listed here for Frontenac County. 24 km away sits Elginburg/Silvers Corners/Shannons Corners, the nearest town. Sharpton/Glenvale lies 26 km off, Sharbot Lake another 30 km. No boundary runs near, so the local rules hold throughout.

• Where to Fish on Big Salmon Lake

  Depth here is unknown, so count the lead down before committing. On a natural lake the weed line and the shelf beyond it do the work. This is a lake, so the margins and the first drop matter most. Frontenac County records list pumpkinseed, bluegill, rock bass and smallmouth bass among the fish reported. County records show the wider picture rather than this one place. The near bank of Big Salmon Lake is often the one people ignore.

• Seasonal Patterns

  The warmest month averages 20°C, the coldest about -9°C. Spring and autumn carry the fishing; summer and winter test it. The lid usually sets by midwinter and gives way around mid April. Break-up near mid April, freeze-up near mid December: that is the shape of an average year. The open run goes from the thaw to the freeze, and April through October covers most of it. Plan around that when you fish Big Salmon Lake.

• Tackle & Baits

  There is no clear statement anywhere on who can fish it. It formed naturally, so levels move with rainfall rather than with a gate. A campsite is mapped about 420 m away, which makes an early start easier. Largemouth respond to soft plastics tight to cover; go weedless where the growth is heavy. Where the road in crosses private land, ask first. Where tickets apply, they are sold in the nearest town rather than on the bank. For a change of water, Camel Lake is 0.9 km distant. Check the position at Big Salmon Lake before loading the car.