Fishing at Depot Lake, Nipissing District, Ontario

• Overview

  Set in Nipissing District, Depot Lake is an Ontario water. It sits in pine and birch country. It runs to roughly 16 hectares — big enough to hold fish away from the bank, small enough to learn. A shoreline of some 3.6 km keeps the choices simple. United Townships of Dysart, Dudley, Harcourt, Guilford, Harburn, Bruton, Havelock, Eyre and Clyde is the closest town at 57 km. Then Chalk River, 62 km, and Petawawa, 65 km. The county line is nowhere near, so one local authority covers the water.

• Where to Fish on Depot Lake

  Depth here is unknown, so count the lead down before committing. The productive water is a rod length or two out, not a hundred. Where the bottom changes texture, fish gather; find that line. Nipissing District records list smallmouth bass, cisco, yellow perch, pumpkinseed and rock bass among the fish reported. County records show what lives in the area; the local agency holds the water-by-water list. The shape of Depot Lake rewards a slow walk along one bank.

• Seasonal Patterns

  In an average year July sits at 18°C and January at -13°C. Winter puts a hard lid on this one. Ice is part of the season here, ending near late April. Averages place the thaw at late April and the freeze at late November. Right after break-up, and again as the nights sharpen, is when to go. The season on Depot Lake follows the weather closely.

• Tackle & Baits

  The rules here are undocumented as far as public sources go. This is a natural basin, not a dammed one. Opeongo River Provincial Park covers this ground, which means extra rules to check. A small crankbait along the drop and a worm in the thick stuff cover the bass. A landowner's word beats anything printed elsewhere. Where the way in crosses private ground, ask first. The nearest alternative is Shall Lake, 2.2 km out. Check the position at Depot Lake before loading the car.