Fishing at Butler Lake, Cochrane District, Ontario

• Overview

  The Cochrane District entry here is Butler Lake, in Ontario. It sits at 326 metres above sea level. It runs to roughly 98 hectares — big enough to hold fish away from the bank, small enough to learn. There is roughly 6.2 km of bank, more than one visit can cover properly. On our Cochrane District list it sits near the top for size. Kirkland Lake lies 29 km from the water. Greater Sudbury is the closest city, 213 km away. Rules here are straightforward: one set of provincial rules.

• Where to Fish on Butler Lake

  Without a survey to go on, judge depth from how the bank falls away. Weed, then depth: that is the order to fish a water of this kind. Bays and points beat straight shoreline every time on water like this. Records held for Cochrane District cover northern pike, yellow perch, white sucker and Iowa darter. Species recorded across the county may be limited to a few waters. On Butler Lake the first feature you find is usually worth a session.

• Seasonal Patterns

  The seasonal spread runs -18°C to 17°C. The freeze arrives properly here and holds. Hard water holds through the cold months, breaking up near early May. From about early May to around mid November, expect open water on the long-run figures. The open run goes from the thaw to the freeze, and April through October covers most of it. At Butler Lake the season follows that pattern closely.

• Tackle & Baits

  Whether you may fish here is not something records settle. No dam controls it, and the level follows the season. Nothing in the way of made access shows up nearby: no ramp, no car park, no path. A small crankbait along the drop and a worm in the thick stuff cover the bass. Check locally before you travel, because a wasted drive is a long one. Close seasons apply to some species and not others. Failing this one, try Victor Lake, 1.3 km away. The position on Butler Lake is worth confirming on the day.