Chatson Lake, Ontario: Fishing Spots and Seasons

• Overview

  The Cochrane District end of Ontario holds Chatson Lake. What surrounds it is mixed forest. For supplies, Kirkland Lake is 43 km out. Further out sit Iroquois Falls (45 km) and Timmins (63 km). Nearby, in order: Dogue Lake 0.3 km, Demarco Lake after 0.5 km, Todhunter Lake 0.9 km, Hornby Lake after 0.9 km and Eade Lake 0.9 km. It lies deep inside the county rather than near an edge.

• Where to Fish on Chatson 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. On a natural lake the weed line and the shelf beyond it do the work. Open biodiversity records for Cochrane District list northern pike, yellow perch, white sucker, Iowa darter and logperch. What holds for the county may not hold for this water. Read Chatson Lake before you fish it and the day goes better.

• Seasonal Patterns

  The warm month here averages 17°C; the cold one sits at -18°C. Winter shuts things down for a spell, then spring reopens them fast. The lid usually goes in early May, which opens the strongest weeks of the year. Going by climate averages, expect open water from about early May until roughly mid November. June through September is the settled part of the year, with the shoulders busier for fish. It sets the rhythm of the year at Chatson Lake.

• Tackle & Baits

  Our records carry no access rule either way. There is no mapped parking or launch nearby, which keeps numbers down. A small crankbait along the drop and a worm in the thick stuff cover the bass. Sort the permit out before you load the car. Some water is controlled locally without a sign saying so. Should this one be busy, Dogue Lake is 0.3 km off. Nothing on Chatson Lake should be assumed from this page alone.