Fishing at Deer Bay, Peterborough County, Ontario

• Overview

  Look for Deer Bay in the Peterborough County part of Ontario. The bank is 241 metres above sea level. Head to Lakefield, 11 km away, for anything you forgot. Bobcaygeon lies 22 km off, Peterborough another 26 km. Nearby, in order: Lovesick Lake near enough 3.7 km, Clear Lake sits 6.2 km out, Fairy Lake near enough 7.8 km, Katchewanooka Lake sits 8.5 km out and Egg Lake near enough 9.8 km. The nearest edge is a long way off, so local rules apply throughout.

• Where to Fish on Deer Bay

  Without a survey to go on, judge depth from how the bank falls away. Oyster and old piling give the only hard structure in sight. Flats either side fish on the drop as bait is pushed off them. Records held for Peterborough County cover rock bass, pumpkinseed, smallmouth bass and muskellunge. Records at county level tell you what is around, not what is stocked here. Deer Bay repays a walk before the first cast.

• Seasonal Patterns

  Expect July near 20°C and January near -10°C on the long-run figures. The freeze arrives properly here and holds. After mid April the shallows warm and the fish move up. On average, mid April opens the water and early December closes it again. Right after break-up, and again as the nights sharpen, is when to go. That shapes the year on Deer Bay.

• Tackle & Baits

  We hold no note on access for this one. Mapping shows a ramp about 230 m from the shore. You can camp about 320 m away, going by the mapping. For the bass here, soft plastics worked slow along cover and a spinnerbait for searching do most of the work. Parking is often the real limit rather than the bank itself. Some ground is open by custom rather than by right, so tread carefully. Should this one be busy, Lovesick Lake is 3.7 km off. For Deer Bay in particular, ask before you travel.