Fishing Clear Lake in District Municipality of Muskoka, Ontario

• Overview

  District Municipality of Muskoka in Ontario is where Clear Lake sits. Rolling bush runs right down to the water. Surface area runs to roughly 1.49 sq km, so plan for one area rather than the whole. There is roughly 6.8 km of bank, more than one visit can cover properly. Few waters listed in District Municipality of Muskoka are bigger. The closest town, Gravenhurst, is 17 km distant. The big place round here is Barrie, 65 km distant. No boundary runs near, so the local rules hold throughout.

• Where to Fish on Clear Lake

  No figure exists for depth, so let the water show you. This is a lake, so the margins and the first drop matter most. On a natural lake the weed line and the shelf beyond it do the work. Species logged across District Municipality of Muskoka include pumpkinseed, smallmouth bass, northern pike and yellow perch. Records at county level tell you what is around, not what is stocked here. On Clear Lake that means starting tight and working out.

• Seasonal Patterns

  Averages here run 19°C at the top of summer and -10°C at the bottom of winter. Expect a real winter and a strong spring after it. Hard water holds through the cold months, breaking up near mid April. On average, mid April opens the water and early December closes it again. June through September is the settled part of the year, with the shoulders busier for fish. Clear Lake runs to that rhythm year in and year out.

• Tackle & Baits

  No public source sets out the position on this bank. The closest car park is 1 km away, so pack accordingly. A pier 1.1 km from here gives a platform over deeper water. You can camp 940 m off, which suits an early start. Facilities run to toilets 840 m from the water. Parking is often the real limit rather than the bank itself. Where parking is tight, arriving early solves most problems. Should this one be busy, Black Lake is 1.9 km off. Check the current arrangement for Clear Lake.