Elephant Lake in Haliburton County: How and When to Fish It

• Overview

  In Ontario, Elephant Lake belongs to Haliburton County. The bank gives way to rolling bush. Around 10.94 sq km of open water: conditions change from one end to the other. Size puts it in the front rank of our Haliburton County list. Bancroft sits 23 km from here and is the nearest stop. United Townships of Dysart, Dudley, Harcourt, Guilford, Harburn, Bruton, Havelock, Eyre and Clyde is 24 km away, with Haliburton Village at 31 km. Two sets of local rules meet not far from this water.

• Where to Fish on Elephant Lake

  No published figure covers depth, so learn it as you fish. This is a lake, so the margins and the first drop matter most. Still water like this holds fish on the edges rather than out in the open. Open biodiversity records for Haliburton County list smallmouth bass, pumpkinseed, rock bass, yellow perch and lake trout. Records at this level tell you what is in the area. Elephant Lake responds to conditions more than to tactics.

• Seasonal Patterns

  Between January at about -11°C and July at about 18°C, the water has a wide range to work through. Expect a real winter and a strong spring after it. Hard water holds through the cold months, breaking up near late April. The season between ice runs from about late April to late November. Right after break-up, and again as the nights sharpen, is when to go. At Elephant Lake the season follows that pattern closely.

• Tackle & Baits

  Nothing on record says whether the bank is open or closed. Nothing built is recorded close to the bank here. For the bass here, soft plastics worked slow along cover and a spinnerbait for searching do most of the work. Local rules can differ across the county line, so check where you stand. Check whether bait restrictions apply before you buy any. For a change of water, Leafield Lake is 3.5 km distant. Check the position on Elephant Lake before loading the car.