Fishing at Deer Lake, Nipissing District, Ontario

• Overview

  In Ontario, Deer Lake falls inside Nipissing District. It sits at 229 metres above sea level. This is sizeable water at about 3.03 sq km, and a boat opens up most of it. The edge covers about 17 km, enough to hold several distinct areas. It ranks high for size among our Nipissing District listings. Supplies mean a trip to Markstay-Warren, 20 km off. The big place round here is Greater Sudbury, 59 km distant. It sits near the edge of the county, so check which rules apply.

• Where to Fish on Deer Lake

  We hold no survey for this water; read the slope of the shoreline instead. On a natural lake the weed line and the shelf beyond it do the work. Read the surface for the wind lane, then fish the edge of it. County-wide records name smallmouth bass, cisco and yellow perch. The county figures include rivers and lakes alike. The shape of Deer Lake decides where the fish sit.

• Seasonal Patterns

  On the long-term average, July reads 18°C and January reads -13°C. A solid cap is the normal state through winter. Ice is part of the season here, ending near late April. The season between ice runs from about late April to late November. Look to early summer and the first cool weeks of autumn. On Deer Lake that shapes the whole year.

• Tackle & Baits

  Ownership and access are not documented in what we hold. It formed naturally, so levels move with rainfall rather than with a gate. No built facilities appear in mapping around this water. A small crankbait along the drop and a worm in the thick stuff cover the bass. Where a permit is needed, the nearest town usually sells it. Some water is controlled locally without a sign saying so. Martinson Lake sits 2.4 km off and takes the overflow. For Deer Lake in particular, ask before you travel.