Fishing Coon Lake in Nipissing District, Ontario

• Overview

  Look for Coon Lake in the Nipissing District part of Ontario. Land around it is mixed forest. It measures about 22 hectares, which is a comfortable size for bank fishing. There is roughly 2.0 km of shoreline here, which is a short walk end to end. United Townships of Dysart, Dudley, Harcourt, Guilford, Harburn, Bruton, Havelock, Eyre and Clyde lies 38 km from the water. Haliburton Village is 55 km away, with Huntsville at 67 km. The county line is nowhere near, so one local authority covers the water.

• Where to Fish on Coon Lake

  There is no published depth for this one, so start shallow and work out. A soft bed grows weed late into autumn, which keeps fish shallow. Read the surface for the wind lane, then fish the edge of it. County-wide records name smallmouth bass, cisco and yellow perch. County data is a starting point rather than a guarantee. Coon Lake responds to conditions more than to tactics.

• Seasonal Patterns

  Average temperature peaks around 18°C in July and bottoms out near -13°C in January. Fishing here follows the temperature more than the calendar. The open season starts with the thaw, near enough late April. Ice usually gives way near late April, and forms again about late November. The open run goes from the thaw to the freeze, and April through October covers most of it. Anyone fishing Coon Lake regularly works to that calendar.

• Tackle & Baits

  Whether the bank is open is not something our records settle. This is a natural basin, not a dammed one. You can leave the car about 360 m from the water. A campsite is mapped about 290 m away, which makes an early start easier. Toilets are 240 m away, which matters on a long session. Provincial rules still apply whatever the bank status. Keep proof of licence with you rather than in the car. Cloud Lake at 1.2 km is the sensible second choice. Check the position at Coon Lake before loading the car.